This matter of which native plants to grow in the carefree garden keeps popping up here on the West Coast.
As far as water requirements are concerned, there are two classes of native Pacific Coast shrubs: those which can stand watering and those which can’t.
Those who welcome watering (during drought. that is) often like rich soil as well, and these are best treated as garden shrubs, for they need the same care as exotics.
Species on West Coast
Under this head come carpenteria, syringa, and a few wild lilac species such as Ceanothus papillosus and Ceanothus incanus.
But the majority of native shrubs enjoy at least two summer months of drying out – that is after they are well established.
(They also like light, deep soil, and good drainage.)
These are the ones to use in the carefree garden, where constant attention is unnecessary.
Southern California
I am delighted to report the stunning wild mint. Monardella macrantha. is now carried by a nurseryman dealing exclusively in natives.
In every country where Californian natives are grown, there’s always been a demand for this dazzling herb.
Covering Fragrant Foliage
In early summer, its low mounds of fragrant foliage are covered with red tubular blooms, the shade of which may vary from salmon to orange-scarlet.
A grand bank coverer, it needs sun – although in the South it tolerates some shade. The soil should be a mixture of loam. leafmold and gravel.
Asking For New Trisomic Giants
When buying your plants of stock, ask for the new Trisomic giants. These are husky doubles, which come in a wide range of colors.
The variety Chamois is a winner and is useful for harmonizing other colors in the mixed border.
California Fog Belt
The seeds of schizanthus, the butterfly flower, should be in by the end of this month or early November. Of if you go by weather, which after all is the safest guide, as soon as rains have thoroughly moistened the garden.
My best results have come from sowing this gay Chilean annual where the plants are to bloom and providing rich humusy soil and shelter. They are particularly lovely in front of shrubs and tall perennials.
Self-Sowing of Schizantlius
If you let your schizantlius self-sow, remove the old plants as soon as they have shed their seed, and next year you’ll discover some interesting new shades.
Meanwhile, tuck in seeds or plants of Anagallis or some other inoffensive annual to use the ground while the schizanthus is maturing.
Digging Over the Soil is Not Allowed
Do this without digging over the soil. Groups or rifts of mixed annuals have greater appeal than unimaginative unbroken blocks.
Torenias are suitable annuals to grow in front of these butterfly flowers. Plants of these violet and yellow Chinese natives can go in after the schizanthus are well underway.
When the after-summer fog has lifted, October sunshine near the ocean has almost desert strength, so shade all seedlings and keep them well watered.
Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley
This is the month to divide and replant peonies. Spade the soil deeply and mix in well-rotted manure.
Dig the holes large enough so there’ll be no crowding of roots, and place each root so that the eyes are no deeper than 2” inches. This is important, for deeply set peonies will not bloom.
Scattering of Pulverized Soil
When the root is snugly in its hole, scatter finely pulverized soil over it and water this soil well down to eliminate air pockets. After planting, work about a tablespoonful of commercial fertilizer around the plant.
If you contemplate planting vines this month and want a reliably hardy one, consider Pure Gold, the yellow form of Campsis Grandiflora (Bignonia Grandiflora).
It is a sport of the old scarlet trumpet vine. Another uncommon vine is honeysuckle Goldflame. It bears lovely, fragrant flowers of pink and gold all summer long. Give both of these vines full sun.
Pacific Northwest
The last of the rock garden bulbs should go in now. Remember the charm of species tulips, erythronium, fritillaries, and the choicer varieties of crocus, and plant your favorites now before it’s too lute.
Winter Weed Free
Be sure, too, to see that your rock garden goes into winter weed free. It’s advisable to provide winter protection for the more delicate rock garden subjects.
Those whose foliage is covered with hair or V700l are mostly denizens of high altitudes. sometimes of deserts and are not accustomed to bare winters of alternate freezing and thawing.
Panes of glass set so that they will take the brunt of autumn and -winter storms will help these treasures through had weather.
Keeping An Eye On Ripe Seeds
The alert gardener will keep an eye peeled for ripe seeds. for many rock garden subjects mature their seed late in autumn.
Many a good plant has come into being because some careful gardener saved his own seed.
Some seeds, such as those of dianthus, are held safely in deep capsules, while other plants, such as some anemones, bear fluff which must be watched or it will escape unobserved.
44659 by Lester Rowntree