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