Transform Your Garden — Embrace Low-Maintenance Native Plants
By David Layland
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — It’s getting close to what I call “California native plant season.” Fall and winter are the best times to plant natives, and that’s also when the Napa Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society holds its annual plant sale. The sale this year is on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6. For more information about the sale, visit the chapter’s website.
My experience with California native plants began several years ago, when my wife and I decided to spruce up the landscaping in front of our home. The existing landscaping was OK but had suffered from a bit of neglect. For years we had concentrated on the grounds behind our house, where we had planted fruit and olive trees, vegetable and ornamental flower gardens, and a small vineyard.
We wanted to plant something different in the front but nothing that required a lot of maintenance or water. We knew we would continue to spend most of our time in the back. The front would remain the poor red-headed stepchild.
After talking with fellow Master Gardeners and doing some research, we started to consider California native plants for our front landscape. When I saw this information on the CNPS website, I knew we were moving in the right direction:
“While no landscape is maintenance-free, California native plants require significantly less time and resources than common non-native garden plants. California native plants do best with some attention and care in a garden setting, but you can look forward to using less water, little to no fertilizer, little to no pesticides, less pruning and less of your time.”
So the decision to relandscape with California natives was easy. Then the real work of selecting and sourcing the plants began.
Fortunately, the CNPS website has a search feature that allows you to enter your ZIP code and find the plants available at nurseries in your area. Today the website shows a total of 8,539 plants, which is a little overwhelming. But once you enter your ZIP code, the search eliminates plants unsuitable for your area. For my ZIP code, that number went down to a more manageable 139 plants. When I selected nurseries within 50 miles of my address, options dropped to 74 plants at two different nurseries.
Developing a layout was the next step. For this we turned to an experienced friend who guided us through the daunting conceptual task that produced our new front landscape. When you have limited drawing ability, it sure helps to have someone on your team who can create a design that captures what you had in mind.
With the plan in hand, it was time to head to the nurseries and start plugging actual plants into the layout. We knew we needed plants in a range of heights, from ground covers to a plant 5 or 6 feet in height that would be a focal point. We did this task in October, an ideal time to plant natives. They appreciate the cool and rainy weather to ease their transition from the nursery to the ground.
Plant selection turned out to be easy. We arrived at the nursery with a clipboard containing the layout and a list of desired plants. The nursery people suggested substitutes for plants we wanted that weren’t available. After about an hour, we headed home with a truckful of California natives, including white sage, coyote mint, seaside daisy, deer grass, bush monkeyflower, California buckwheat, coffee berry and emerald carpet manzanita.
All of our purchases were in 1-gallon containers as this size is easiest to plant. Following advice from Henni Cohen of Napa Valley’s CNPS chapter, we made sure to plant wet plants in wet holes.
It has been several years since we relandscaped, and I’m happy to report that the plants are thriving. Maintenance has involved just a bit of pruning, and none of the plants requires more than a monthly watering. In fact, we were so happy with the front that we replaced one of our vegetable gardens in the back with native plants. I see a trend developing. Eventually, we may give the boot to our ornamental flower gardens in favor of California natives.
Library Talk: Join UC Master Gardeners of Napa County and Napa Public Library for a talk on “Caring for California Native Oaks” on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Learn about oak tree characteristics and specific requirements along with University of California resources available to help you provide the care your oaks need to thrive. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Composting Workshop: Join UC Master Gardeners of Napa County for a free workshop on “Worm or Backyard Composting: Choose Your Own Adventure” on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Ave., Napa. Learn the basics of hot and cool composting, worm composting and grasscycling. At the conclusion of the workshop, you can purchase a backyard compost bin for $20 (one per household) or get everything you need to build your own worm composting bin, including the worms. Registration required.
Fall Faire: Join the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County for an entertaining and educational event on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. outdoors at the University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Ave., Napa. Enjoy exhibits on composting, monarch butterflies, succulents, water conservation, bees and more. The program includes activities for kids, a scarecrow contest, giveaways and music. Admission is free.
Become a Master Gardener Volunteer: UC Master Gardeners of Napa County is now accepting applications for the Class of 2025. Visit napamg.ucanr.edu to read the informational brochure; then register to attend a mandatory information session for applicants. Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 25.
Help Desk: The Master Gardener Help Desk is available to answer your garden questions on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the University of California Cooperative Extension Office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 4, Napa. Or send your questions to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. Include your name, address, phone number and a brief description. For best results attach a photo.
If today's story captured your interest, explore these related articles:
Weekender Encore: Nature’s Sweet Treasure — The Blackberries of Napa Valley
From Hot Lips to Hybrids — Celebrating the Beauty and Benefits of Salvias
UC Master Gardeners’ Website Has Answers to Your Gardening Questions
David Layland is a UC Master Gardener of Napa County.
thanks for suggesting native plants. Good article
Natives are not invasive and they do not jar the senses when you see them planted as do typical landscape plants like crepe Myrtle, hydrangea, beech, petunia, pansy, etc. Of course their drought tolerance and other benefits to soil and pollinators is a huge plus.