WaterWater--Wise Wise d i 20 0d i 20 0Landscaping 2010Landscaping 2010

Sponsored bySponsored bySponsored by Sponsored by the Cities of Vallejothe Cities of Vallejo

and Beniciaand Beniciaand Beniciaand Benicia

April 26 and 28, 2010April 26 and 28, 2010April 26 and 28, 2010April 26 and 28, 2010

WaterWater WiseWiseWaterWater--WiseWisePlant SelectionPlant SelectionPlant SelectionPlant Selection

AGENDAApril 26 & 28 2010

6:30 Welcome and Introductions Larry L.

basic vocabulary Meg Grumiobasic vocabulary Meg Grumio

6:45 Plant Selection

Plants at Tilden Maggie Ingalls

7:10 Plants at ‘California Dreamin’ Sue Wickham

Plants at BSRA Sue Wickham

7:30 Break

7:45 Plants at Rush Ranch Sue Wickham

8:00 Invasive Plants8:00 Invasive Plants

8:05 Plants at Benicia Community Garden Meg Grumio

8:20 Questions

8:30 Goodbye

Urban Water UseUrban Water UseTypical SingleTypical Single--Family Residence Family Residence

Faucets8%

Leaks5%

Laundry12% IRRIGATION

50%Dishwashing

1%

50%

Toilets14%

Showers/Bath10%

14%

Rain season to date = 16.31 inches

Benicia Rainfall Data

45

30354045

(inch

es)

152025

l Rai

nfal

l

Rainfall

05

10

0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0

Annu

a

1850

1855

1860

1865

1870

1875

1880

1885

1890

1895

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1925

1930

1935

1940

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

Year

A Little ArithmeticA Little ArithmeticA Little ArithmeticA Little Arithmetic

1 gallon = 231 cubic inches1 gallon = 231 cubic inches1 gallon = 231 cubic inches1 gallon = 231 cubic inches10’ X 10’ area = 14,400 square inches10’ X 10’ area = 14,400 square inches62 33 ll f t i d t62 33 ll f t i d t62. 33 gallons of water are required to cover 62. 33 gallons of water are required to cover

10’ X 10’ area by 1 inch.10’ X 10’ area by 1 inch.

Average water use in Benicia/Vallejo is 116 to 132 gallonsAverage water use in Benicia/Vallejo is 116 to 132 gallons per day.

Rainfall Around the WorldRainfall Around the WorldRainfall Around the WorldRainfall Around the World

•• Carson City, NevadaCarson City, Nevada 11.211.2Carson City, NevadaCarson City, Nevada 11.211.2•• SeattleSeattle 3737•• New JerseyNew Jersey 44 844 8•• New JerseyNew Jersey 44.844.8•• LondonLondon 24.224.2

Edi b hEdi b h 2626•• EdinburghEdinburgh 2626•• DublinDublin 29.229.2•• TokyoTokyo 6060•• Benicia/VallejoBenicia/Vallejo 1919

8 Basic Principles of8 Basic Principles of8 Basic Principles of8 Basic Principles ofWaterWater--Wise LandscapingWise Landscaping

1. Group Plants According to Their Water Needs1. Group Plants According to Their Water Needs

2. Use Native and Low2. Use Native and Low--WaterWater--Use PlantsUse Plants2. Use Native and Low2. Use Native and Low WaterWater Use PlantsUse Plants

3. Limit Turf Areas to Those Needed for Practical Uses3. Limit Turf Areas to Those Needed for Practical Uses

4. Use Efficient Irrigation Systems4. Use Efficient Irrigation Systems

5 Schedule Irrigation Wisely5. Schedule Irrigation Wisely

6. Make Sure Soil is Healthy

7. Remember to Mulch7. Remember to Mulch

8. Provide Regular Maintenance

WaterWater--Wise PlantsWise PlantsSome Typical Identifying FeaturesSome Typical Identifying FeaturesSome Typical Identifying FeaturesSome Typical Identifying Features

•• Small LeavesSmall Leaves•• Small LeavesSmall Leaves•• Gray or Hairy FoliageGray or Hairy Foliage

R i W C ti LR i W C ti L•• Resinous or Waxy Coating on LeavesResinous or Waxy Coating on Leaves•• Fragrant FoliageFragrant Foliage•• Deep rootsDeep roots•• Able to withstand summer dry periodsAble to withstand summer dry periods•• Able to withstand droughtAble to withstand drought•• Water storage abilityWater storage ability

Where are they from?Where are they from?Where are they from?Where are they from?

•• Native to dry Western US states :Native to dry Western US states :•• Native to dry Western US states :Native to dry Western US states :•• California, Eastern OregonCalifornia, Eastern Oregon

C l d N M i A iC l d N M i A i•• Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona

•• Native to other Mediterranean Native to other Mediterranean Climates:Climates:

Chile, South Africa, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Australia, Mediterranean Sea AreaMediterranean Sea Area

What is in a name?What is in a name?What is in a name?What is in a name?

Genus Genus –– species species -- varietyvarietyGe usGe us spec esspec es a etya etyAchillea millefolium ‘Moonshine’Achillea millefolium ‘Moonshine’

Genus Genus –– species species -- subspeciessubspeciesRudbeckia californica glaucaRudbeckia californica glauca

HybridsHybridsBuddleja x weyerianaBuddleja x weyerianaBuddleja x weyerianaBuddleja x weyeriana

Common Names Common Names –– anything goesanything goes

•• AnnualAnnuall h l l fl h l l f llA plant that completes its lifeA plant that completes its life--cycle in one year cycle in one year

but may continue in your garden by setting but may continue in your garden by setting seedseedseed.seed.

•• PerennialPerennialA plant that lives many years in your garden. A plant that lives many years in your garden.

Most horticulturalists use the term herbaceous Most horticulturalists use the term herbaceous perennial to mean nonperennial to mean non--woody perennial woody perennial l W d i l l ll dl W d i l l ll dplants. Woody perennials are also called trees plants. Woody perennials are also called trees

and shrubs. and shrubs.

Maggie IngallsMaggie IngallsDocent at East Bay Regional Parks Botanic GardenDocent at East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden

Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic GardenFriends of the Regional Parks Botanic GardenTilden Regional ParkTilden Regional Park Berkeley CaliforniaBerkeley CaliforniaTilden Regional Park Tilden Regional Park ---- Berkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley, Californiawww.nativeplants.orgwww.nativeplants.org

Why Use California Native Plants inWhy Use California Native Plants in your garden?

Save Water- Most natives only need once a monthSave Water- Most natives only need once a month deep water once established

Adapted to this climateAdapted to this climate

Reduce Fertilizer Use

Reduce Pesticide UseReduce Pesticide Use

Reduce Erosion

Create a Sustainable Landscape

Wildlife Friendly

Support Greater Biodiversity

Arctostaphylos regismontana

Arctostaphylos densiflora

Ceanothus griseus 'Yankee Point'

Ceanothus impressus 'Vanderburg'--UCBG

-Ceanothus palmeri

Ribes aureum

Ribes malvaceum

Ribes sangineum var gluttonisum

Ribes speciosum

Quercus kelloggii

Native plant gardensNative plant gardensNative plant gardensNative plant gardensSolano CountySolano County

Sue Wickham Solano Land TrustSue Wickham Solano Land TrustSue Wickham, Solano Land TrustSue Wickham, Solano Land TrustAndAnd

California Native Plant SocietyCalifornia Native Plant SocietyWillis Jepson ChapterWillis Jepson Chapterp pp p

(Solano County)(Solano County)

California Dreamin’ Garden California Dreamin’ Garden Vallejo Community Center Vallejo Community Center

225 Amador Vallejo225 Amador Vallejo225 Amador Vallejo225 Amador Vallejo

D di t d t f L i D i dD di t d t f L i D i dDedicated to memory of Lori Dervin and Dedicated to memory of Lori Dervin and Carolyn Hoehn. Carolyn Hoehn.

Maintained by hiking and recycling friendsMaintained by hiking and recycling friendsC t tC t tContactContact

Jane Bogner 707 319Jane Bogner 707 319--63986398

Water conserving featuresWater conserving featuresWater conserving featuresWater conserving features

•• Sheet mulchSheet mulch•• Sheet mulchSheet mulch•• Continual maintenance of adding mulchContinual maintenance of adding mulch

M tl tiM tl ti•• Mostly nativesMostly natives•• Drip irrigationDrip irrigation•• Plant selection to the sitePlant selection to the site

CA Dreamin’ GardenCA Dreamin’ Garden

Started 2002Started 2002

Adding compostAdding compostAdding compostAdding compost

And a little sheet mulchAnd a little sheet mulchAnd a little sheet mulchAnd a little sheet mulch

Winter compost cropsWinter compost cropsWinter compost cropsWinter compost crops

Compost Crops dug in Compost Crops dug in d d dd d dand garden startedand garden started

First seasonFirst seasonFirst seasonFirst season

California goldenrodCalifornia goldenrodSolidagoSolidago californicacalifornica

Oregon grape and TwinberryOregon grape and TwinberryOregon grape and TwinberryOregon grape and Twinberry

201020102010 2010

Mix in the nonMix in the non--natives that you natives that you l k d ddl k d ddlike and add some nativeslike and add some natives

Mexican sage –established and still part of the garden

Seaside daisy Erigeron glaucus - native ground coverg g

Native late bloomerNative late bloomerl fl f f hf hCalifornia California fuschiafuschia

Zauschneria californicaZauschneria californica

Also known as Epilobium californica

Benicia State Recreation AreaBenicia State Recreation AreaBenicia State Recreation AreaBenicia State Recreation Area

California Native Plant Society (CNPS)California Native Plant Society (CNPS)California Native Plant Society (CNPS)California Native Plant Society (CNPS)Forrest Deaner Native Plant GardenForrest Deaner Native Plant Garden

Located within the state park (off 1Located within the state park (off 1--780 780 Columbus Parkway exit) Columbus Parkway exit) –– by the picnic area.by the picnic area.–– Cared for by CNPS volunteers & local groupsCared for by CNPS volunteers & local groups–– Workday every Saturday morning 10 amWorkday every Saturday morning 10 amy y y gy y y g

Entrance Entrance –– gardens by plant gardens by plant communitycommunity

WaterWater--conserving featuresconserving featuresWaterWater conserving featuresconserving features

•• All native plantsAll native plants –– once established manyonce established many•• All native plants All native plants once established many once established many will not need irrigation.will not need irrigation.All local Solano County native plantsAll local Solano County native plants•• All local Solano County native plants.All local Solano County native plants.

•• Grouped by plant communityGrouped by plant community•• Pesticide free (except for weeds on paths)Pesticide free (except for weeds on paths)•• Weedblock and Christmas tree mulchingWeedblock and Christmas tree mulchinggg

WeedblockWeedblock and irrigationand irrigationWeedblockWeedblock and irrigationand irrigation

Starting a native grass meadowStarting a native grass meadowStarting a native grass meadowStarting a native grass meadow

Narrow leaf buckwheatNarrow leaf buckwheatNarrow leaf buckwheatNarrow leaf buckwheat

St Catherine’s LaceSt Catherine’s LaceSt Catherine s Lace St Catherine s Lace Eriogonum giganteumEriogonum giganteum

Rush RanchRush Ranchl dl dNative Plant GardenNative Plant Garden

•• Solano Land Trust’s Rush RanchSolano Land Trust’s Rush Ranch•• Solano Land Trust s Rush RanchSolano Land Trust s Rush Ranch•• Located on Grizzly Island Road, south of Located on Grizzly Island Road, south of

Highway 12 (Sunset/Grizzly Island)Highway 12 (Sunset/Grizzly Island)Highway 12 (Sunset/Grizzly Island)Highway 12 (Sunset/Grizzly Island)•• Nature Center off Nature Center off ––gridgrid•• Small native plant gardenSmall native plant garden

Built in 2007Built in 2007Built in 2007Built in 2007

Water conserving and natural Water conserving and natural fffeaturesfeatures

•• Walnut shell mulchWalnut shell mulch•• Walnut shell mulchWalnut shell mulch•• All native plants All native plants

D l t itiD l t iti•• Dry plant communitiesDry plant communities•• Once a week irrigation in summerOnce a week irrigation in summer•• Birds and bees use of the garden Birds and bees use of the garden •• Adjacent to natural areaAdjacent to natural area•• Adjacent to natural areaAdjacent to natural area•• Hardscape is porous Hardscape is porous

Planting May 2007Planting May 2007Planting May 2007Planting May 2007

Walnut shell mulchWalnut shell mulchd lkd lkDecomposed granite walkwayDecomposed granite walkway

Rush Ranch Native Garden 2010Rush Ranch Native Garden 2010Rush Ranch Native Garden 2010Rush Ranch Native Garden 2010

Add photos of todayAdd photos of todayAdd photos of todayAdd photos of today

Seating, patio space are for Seating, patio space are for ti b i k t iti b i k t igroup use group use –– patio bricks set in patio bricks set in

sandsandsandsand

Ground Cover

Native Salvias

Creeping sage Hummingbird sageCreeping sage

S. sonomensisHummingbird sage

S. spathacea

Low salvias in hot spotLow salvias in hot spotLow salvias in hot spotLow salvias in hot spot

Medium and tall

native Salvias

White sage Purple sageBlack sage

(S. apiana)

(S. leucophylla)

MID(S. apiana)

EARLY(S. mellifera)

EARLY-MID

Nature’s hillsidesNature’s hillsidesNature s hillsidesNature s hillsides

Meadows in bloomMeadows in bloomMeadows in bloomMeadows in bloom

WHATWHAT NOTNOT TO PLANTTO PLANTWHAT WHAT NOTNOT TO PLANTTO PLANT

California Invasive Plant Council

brochure and website

Heritage Presbyterian Church in Benicia

Lawn removal September 2008

Soil Preparation

Leptospermum speciesLeptospermum species(T T )(T T )(Tea Trees)(Tea Trees)

Leptospermum flavescens 'Cardwell'Leptospermum flavescens 'Cardwell'Leptospermum flavescens CardwellLeptospermum flavescens Cardwell

spermum rotundifolium

Cistus purpureusCistus purpureusCistus purpureusCistus purpureusRock RoseRock Rose

Cotoneaster dammeriCotoneaster dammeri

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Verbena bonariensis

fallugia paradoxafallugia paradoxafallugia paradoxafallugia paradoxa

Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume)Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume)

pring 2010