Many dragonflies are flying on campus this year.  They are particular common around the native plant gardens and in the Heritage Creek Preserve.  Learn more about our local dragonflies at:

• https://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/dragonflies-2017
• http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2017/05/flame-skimmer-dragonfly-libellula.html

A Gardener's Thanksgiving

Thanks and praise for winter rains.

Drought reminds us to treasure, whatever Nature can spare. 

Thanks and praise for emerging seedlings.

Each one a tiny miracle, hope for the year to come. 

Thanks and praise for new spring foliage.

Our spirit needs the fresh green color – our bodies, the sustenance. 

Thanks and praise for native wildflowers.

Their beauty quickens the heart; they are truly gifts to gladden the soul. 

Thanks and praise for warm days of May,

Encouraging plants to grow, enticing us into the fragrant garden. 

Thanks and praise for the fogs of June.

They bring magic to the garden, providing water for thirsty plants. 

Thanks and praise for Mother Nature’s pollinators.

From hummingbirds to the smallest bees, they safeguard the precious cycle of life. 

Thanks and praise for the ripening harvest of summer.

The fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds - food for all the garden’s creatures (including us). 

Thanks and praise for the dry winds of September.

They cleanse the garden, ushering in the tranquility of the dormant season. 

Thanks and praise for the dormant season.

The golds and browns rest the eye, providing a calm background for busy lives. 

Thanks and praise for the creatures of fall.

Insects, migrant birds and countless wee beings, each filling their niche in the life of the garden.  

Thanks and praise for our many human friends.

Their hard work, suggestions, love and donations - an evolving inspiration throughout the year.

 

 

 

Spring in the Native Plant Gardens: Garden of Dreams

Approaching the Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Spring is a lovely time in the native plant gardens of CSU Dominguez Hills.  Here are some recent photos from the Garden of Dreams Discovery Garden.

Bush sunflowers (Encelia californica) brighten Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Enter the garden through the Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia) entrance
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

White and purple from the Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) 
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Look closely for bulbs like this Mariposa lily
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Medley of green foliage from sages, sagebrush and other local native shrubs
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Looking back towards parking lot - note the range of foliage colors
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) have come back despite the fact that this area was scraped bare
 last July - Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Purple foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus) and spires of White sage (Salvia apiana)
Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) glow amongst the nodding grasses (Foothill needlegrass - Stipa (Nassella) lepida) - Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Spring wildflowers - Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

A selection of shady groundcovers - Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Red Admiral butterfly - Garden of Dreams -  CSU Dominguez Hills

Why are some plants drought tolerant?

'Garden of Dreams' (CSUDH) features local native drought tolerant plants

 

After four years of serious drought and water restrictions, most California gardeners are concentrating on drought tolerant solutions.  But what makes one plant drought tolerant and another water-loving?   The answer is more complex than you might imagine.  

To learn more see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-things-work-plant-drought-tolerance.html

 

 

 

  

    

 

Shade Trees for a Changing Future Climate

Blue Elderberry tree once provided needed shade in Garden of Dreams,
 CSU Dominguez Hills

The past few years have been sobering for anyone concerned with our planet’s future.   In Southern California, the effects of four years drought can be seen in nearly every garden and wild place.  Record-breaking heat and winds have also plagued us, compounding the effects of the drought.   Climate change is happening right now – and we’d best be planning for more to come.

In 2014, we gave a talk on Climate Change and the Southern California Garden.    We discussed the climate models, their predictions for Southern California and the implications for local gardens.  Two conclusions are clear: 1) overall temperatures – and the number of high heat days (> 95° F; 35° C) – will increase in S. California over the next century; 2) the frequency of extreme precipitation years (both drought and greater than normal precipitation) are also likely to increase. For more predictions see our 2014 talk: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/climate-change-2014.

Our gardens must provide more shade in the future.  Hardscape features like patios, arbors and awnings are one way to create shade.  But ‘living shade’ – that provided by trees, shrubs and strategically placed vines – has additional benefits.  Plants cool the surrounding areas by evaporative cooling; that’s why the shade under trees feels cooler than the shade under a patio roof.  Plants also release oxygen, clean the air of contaminants and provide habitat for numerous creatures.  If chosen carefully, shade trees and shrubs provide colorful flowers, edible fruits and a green oasis in summer.

 

Toyon (Heteromeles arbulifolia) - pruned as tree

 

Ideally, shade-producing plants are long-lived – 50 or more years is ideal.  That means that shade trees planted now must be tough enough to thrive in the climate of 50 years and more in the future.  We’re betting strongly on California natives, including some trees and shrubs that already grow in the Los Angeles Basin.   Locally native survivors are appropriate for our soils and provide key habitat for local creatures.  So we should use the local natives when appropriate.

But the choice of trees that can survive and thrive into the future is anything but straight forward.  To learn more - and for a list of suggested trees and shrubs - see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2015/09/sustainable-gardening-trees-for.html

Pruning California Native Plants – Don’t Use a Bulldozer

Garden of Dreams Native Plant Garden - CSU Dominguez Hills
Good example of how not to prune native plants

Many California native plants require yearly pruning.   The best timing and methods differ depending on the type of plant.  But a bulldozer is NEVER the right tool for the job.    For more on the proper ways to time and prune native plants see:

·        http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/11/maintaining-your-new-california-garden_15.html

 

·        http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/11/pruning-common-native-plants.html

Surviving the Drought

Plenty of summer flowers, seeds and fruits for bird & pollinator habitat:
 Garden of Dreams, CSUDH, in July, 2015 (after 4 years of drought)

The past four years of drought have been tough on gardens and gardeners.  Even water-wise native plants are showing signs of stress.  For some practical ideas on surviving the drought see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2015/07/surviving-drought.html




Water-wise native plants from the Channel Islands stand up well to the drought. St. Catherine's Lace (Eriogonum giganteum) and Catalina silverlace (Constancea nevinii) with background of Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) and Southern Island mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora)



Summer is Approaching

Many summer plants beginning to bloom in the 'Garden of Dreams'

Spring flashed by so fast this year.  Come see the summer flowers now blooming in our native plants gardens on campus.  Watch for birds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Life-Friendly Fall Pruning: Remember the Birds

Garden of Dreams near Child Development Center - 11/12/14. 
Some plants are still un-pruned to provide food for the birds.

Late fall and early winter are important pruning times in Southern California gardens.  Many California native plants, particularly those from drier low elevations, are dormant from late summer until the winter rains.  That’s why fall has traditionally been a major pruning season.  To get a better sense of the seasons in S. California gardens see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/09/seasons-in-southern-california-garden.html.

If you garden in S. California, you’ve no doubt noticed that different birds visit your garden in fall and winter.   California is an important stop for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway – a giant bird ‘freeway’ in the sky.  Some birds just stop to refuel; others spend the winter in our delightful wild-lands and gardens.  Either way, these birds – along with resident birds and insects – require food in fall and winter.

The past two years have been particularly hard on California wildlife.  Even with decreased water use, our gardens are still wetter and more productive than the drought stressed wild-lands.  That’s why we’ve seen more wildlife than ever in our gardens this year.   A recent visit to the 'Garden of Dreams' on campus demonstrated this dramatically.  There were at least 75 birds, of all sizes and at least 5 species, busily eating in that one little garden!

 

Goldfinch eating Annual sunflower (Helianthus anuus) seeds

 

From native pollinators and butterflies to large animals like deer, creatures are desperate for food and water - and so they come to our gardens.  As wild-lands suffer from climatic extremes, our gardens play an increasingly important role in providing food, shelter and water.  In all years – but particularly in years when food is scarce – we need to manage our fall pruning responsibly.  That's why the 'Garden of Dreams', 'Heritage Creek Preserve' and the 'Earth Sciences Garden'  will look a little more raggedy this month.  We're doing it to save the birds!

 

For more see:  

http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/11/maintaining-your-new-california-garden_15.html

 

 

California wood mint (Stachys bullata) can be seen at Mother Nature's Backyard garden (above) and
at the Garden of Dreams (CSU Dominguez Hills)

One of the plants that’s blooming right now in the Garden of Dreams is the California woodmint, Stachys bullata.  This isn’t its peak season, but the flowers keep our hummingbirds and the few remaining butterflies happy.

California wood mint is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), a large family that includes culinary mints and the Salvias.   Plants in this family often have aromatic foliage and are used for cooking and potpourri.  Within the Mint Family, the wood mints (hedge nettles), genus Stachys, make up one of the larger genera.  Stachys species can be found on most continents and many are used in traditional herbal medicine.

For more on this interesting plant see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/11/plant-of-month-december-california-wood.html

What does a water-wise garden look like in summer?

 

Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri) in 'Garden of Dreams' on the CSU Dominguez Hills campus.  Garden is watered once a month in summer.

 

Water-wise gardens have definite seasons.  Right now we're well into the dry season.  The annual spring wildflowers are just a memory; grasses have magically transformed to gold and silver.   Yes, we're in the dry season, which will last until the fall rains.

 

The dry season is the time of rest for some plants.  In the Garden of Dreams and Heritage Creek, the California encelia (Bush sunflower) and Salvias (native sages) are mostly dormant now.  The Salvias have produced a small second set of leaves to get them through the dry period.

 

Other plants are evergreen - but still mostly resting.  These include Mulefat (our large hedgerow plant in Garden of Dreams), Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) and Lemonadeberry.  Some shrubs have green berries that will ripen in fall: Toyon and the native cherries (Prunus ilicifolia) are among the most prominent.

 

But even in summer and fall, a surprising number of native plants are blooming.  They range from the larger Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) and Southern island mallow,  to Annual sunflowers and Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri) that brighten our summer with their yellow flowers.  The summer-blooming buckwheats add a touch of pink and white to the summer palette.  In fact, there are many native plants blooming on campus right now (see the 'Blooming Now on Campus' page).

 

 

Annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) brightens the foreground. Native buckwheats (Eriogonum species) bloom pink and white (left) against a background of green and gold.

 

So take the time to visit Heritage Creek Preserve or one of the native plant gardens on campus.  If you come from 11:00-3:00, notice the bees, butterflies and other pollinators busily at work.  If you visit earlier or later you'll be surprise by the number of birds you'll see.   Sit a while, relax, unwind.   And then you'll know what a water-wise, life-friendly garden looks and feels like in summer.

 

 

Mulches : Beautiful, Water-wise and More

CSUDH students and faculty apply mulch to 'Garden of Dreams' native plant garden

 

The CSUDH Ecology Club and students in BIO 310/311 (Plant Physiology & Lab) classes recently applied a new layer of mulch to the ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden on campus (above).  You can see how much better the garden looks in the pictures below.

 

'Garden of Dreams' - before new mulch

 

'Garden of Dreams' - after new mulch

 

 In addition to their aesthetic appeal, mulches help keep the soils cool in summer, help conserve water,  keep garden vegetables clean and pest-free and much more.  In short, mulches are a good idea.  But you need to know how to apply them, when to apply them and which mulch to choose.  You can read all about mulches at: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/07/understanding-mulches_23.html

 

 

 

What's Blooming? Visit the new 'Blooming Now on Campus' page

California bush sunflower (Encelia californica) blooming now in Heritage Creek Preserve

Ever wonder where to see blooming native plants?  Want to know what's blooming before you visit campus?    See our new page 'Blooming Now on Campus'  to see what's blooming where.  You can even download the list with handy thumbnail photos - and learn more about the plants with our helpful links.   The page will be updated approximately every two weeks.

What's that Silver-White Plant?

Felt-leaf Everlasting (Wright's Cudweed; Pseudognaphalium canescens) provides contrast and habitat
all year long in the Garden of Dreams 

You may have noticed a plant with very white foliage growing in the Garden of Dreams native plant garden.  This is Felt-leaf Everlasting (Wright's Cudweed; Pseudognaphalium canescens) a locally native plant that's not only pretty but is an important habitat plant.   Read more about it at:  

http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/09/plant-of-month-september-wrights.html

Need a quiet place on campus? Try the 'Garden of Dreams' Discovery Garden

 

 

The Garden of Dreams is located on the northeast corner of Parking Lot 1 - just east of the Child Development Center. It's just beyond the large hedge of Mule Fat along the sidewalk.   The garden features local native plants and there's something blooming most of the time.  It's quiet and peaceful - a great place to just sit, watch the birds and butterflies and  relax.   There are several places to sit in the garden.

 

Like Lupines? You've gotta see Garden of Dreams!



Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentis) 
 annual lupine native to CSUDH campus
 

 

If you like lupines, you've got to see the patch of Arroyo Lupines blooming now in the Garden of Dreams (see 'Map - Native Plants at CSUDH' for directions).  They are just spectacular this year. 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Arroyo Lupines see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/03/plant-of-month-arroyo-succulent-lupine.html

 

 

The Chapparal and Golden Currants are looking nice as well.




Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum) is loaded with blooms.  This plant
is a favorite of hummingbirds - and has edible berries