California Natives: 10 Days of the Best California Native Plants to Grow

California is known for its beautiful native plants. One of the most popular native California plants is the Miniature Hollyhock. The Miniature Hollyhock is a small plant that blooms in a variety of colors. It is a popular plant because it is easy to care for and it blooms during the spring and summer months. The best time to plant the Miniature Hollyhock is in the spring when the weather is warm and the days are longer. The Miniature Hollyhock prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once it is established, it will bloom every year without fail. Thanks to its beauty and easy care, the Miniature Hollyhock is one of the most popular California native plants.

California has a delectable selection of native plants, and Southern California is no exception. The Miniature Hollyhock is an ideal cut flower, miniature hollyhock adds charm to the vase or middle of the perennial border. Blooms appear in summer and come in shades of pink, red, lavender, and white.

Name: Baker's Wild Hollyhock, Iliamna bakeri
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist soil
Size: To 3 feet tall
Zones: 4-9

Image: Iliamna bakeri. (2022, June 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliamna_bakeri

Per SF Gate's article, Description of Miniature Hollyhocks By Jolene Hansen, March 04, 2022.

"Culture and Care

Full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil keep miniature hollyhocks looking and blooming their best. In hotter climates, provide protection from the sun's intense, early- to mid-afternoon rays, and keep an eye on moisture needs. Use soaker hoses or hose end bubblers to water; avoid wetting the foliage, which encourages fungal infections.

Cramped quarters and soggy soils leave these plants susceptible to disease and root rot. Don't overcrowd miniature hollyhocks in the garden. Allow plenty of room for good air circulation and mature size. In late autumn, cut stalks back to the basal leaves."

Be sure to check out more information at https://calscape.org/Sidalcea-malviflora-()

Our Environment, Our Choice - The choice, after all, is ours to make...

Age is everything but nothing at all and perspective is the key to understanding how old this book really is. Is age our guiding factor or is it knowledge? Therefore 50 is not my determining factor for the accessibility of this book, but rather the knowledge that reverberates through the essence of knowing that what Rachel Carson lays out in her book Silent Spring may be the environmental key that we have chosen to participate in. "The choice, after all, is ours to make. If having endured much, we have at last asserted our "right to know" and if, knowing, we have concluded that we are being asked to take senseless and frightening risks...we should look about and see what other course is open to us." (Pgs. 277, 278) 

The issue of environmental concern is not a yes or no answer, this makes it hard to solve. Almost everything we have built our society on was built on an older concept that used our natural resources in an irresponsible and misleading way. We are changing gradually, but is this fast enough? Probably not, and frankly this is why our richest man, Elon Musk, is proposing that we start to colonize another planet in hopes that we have a way out in case we cannot get this right.

 

Image: Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (The Manifesto Series) 

In a sense, we are fighting survival and survival. If we change too much of our infrastructure, therefore affecting our food supply and overall human progress then we could diminish our society. 

 But if we don't change fast enough we could diminish our earth, in turn ruining society/population. All in may come down to Darwin's philosophy on evolution. "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change, that lives within the means available and works co-operatively against common threats." Charles Darwin. Information that may be missing from Carson's book may be up-to-date reflections on current events that have made catastrophic changes to our environment. 

Carson includes current environmental disasters in chapter 17 of Silent Spring which showcase her time period, 50 years ago. what would this book be like if this were updated? 

Works Cited: 

Darwin, Charles. https://laidlawscholars.network. Rachel Carson. Silent Spring. Mariner Books, 1962. EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohost-com.cabrillo.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx? direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,cpid&custid=cabcol&db=nlebk&AN=1870398&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

The December 2023 California Gardening To-Do List

When you live in California, especially Southern California there is no need to give up growing and playing in your garden. However, choosing the right fruits and vegetables for the winter climates is important. The temperatures tend to fluctuate between 40-80 degrees with mild to direct sunshine. These elements can be a challenge but with proper planning can be accomplished. Here are some new and fun ideas for your new or established winter garden.

Southern California:

1. Begin to cut back ornamental grasses to get ready for new growth.
2. Plant pre-chilled bulbs within the first few weeks after Christmas.

Northern California:

1. Protect young trees and fruits from frost.
2. Be prepared for unexpected cold spells and frosts with old clothes for row covers and DIY cloches (use soda bottles and milk jugs).
3. Feed winter-flowering shrubs.

Both regions:

Depending on your environment, here are some suggested non-frost cold weather plants: asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chives, collards, endive, favas, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, rutabaga, spinach, swiss chard, and turnips.

Plant some floral cool-season annuals such as poppies, pansies, violas, linaria, diascia, and nemesia.

• Try a fresh new look in your container garden with some colorful flowers and ornamental grasses.
• Native plants throughout California are now becoming a visual masterpiece throughout our neighbor's gardens and parks. 
• Natives can be a fun new way to explore native California horticulture while incorporating water-reduction plants into your garden.
• Divide and replant clumping perennials. For you organic growers try some fish emulsion to help secure their growth and for some other options for quick root growth such as: Green Light Concentrate Root Stimulator and Starter Solution.
• December is the best month to plant those cool-season grasses, including Marathon and Delta.
• Plant permanent plants that you may have missed planting in fall, such as trees, shrubs, vines and perennials.
• Reduce your watering for your deciduous fruit trees, therefore including them to go dormant for winter. This encourages optional growth in spring.

New Year's Resolutions for your 2023 Garden

Some gardeners may resolve to pay more attention to their garden in 2023, some have chosen associated themes to incorporate into their gardens but as Oprah Winfrey says: "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

Check out these fun and uplifting ideas for your 2023 garden include:

1. Share your knowledge: Stay open to helping and educating others that show interest in learning how to garden or grow better at gardening.
2. Give the gift of plants: Plants are the gifts that keep on giving. If cared for correctly plants can last months and even years.  Great for birthdays, holidays or mid-day pick me up for that special someone.
3. Buy local by checking out your local farmer's markets: USDA's Farmers Market Directory is a great resource for finding your local farmer's market. Nurseries and cooperatives of all types attend farmer's markets throughout the US. Also available at local farmer's markets tends to be other like-minded individuals passionate about gardening and horticulture techniques, a great place for networking and gathering ideas.
4. Slow down and take it easy: Your garden can be an excellent source of grounding and meditation for some. Release yourself from the day to day hustle and spend some quality time doing what you enjoy.
5. Find inspiration online: Gardeners and horticulturists around the globe are creating inspirational and expressive gardens. Whether your garden is for looks or for food and healing properties, explore, indulge and grow your garden. Some of my favorite websites for new ideas are Organic Gardening Magazine (also a well-circulated magazine), Southern Homes & Gardens,  Southern Living, Master Gardener's of Orange County, CA, How to Garden Advice, and of course the Seed Savers Exchange.
6. Grow your own: Herbs, Fruits and/or Vegetables. They make great gifts and they can be a great addition to your current food supply. I still remember the sweet and fragrant, ripe tomatoes from my grandma's garden. They were so juicy and delicious that quite simply, a tomato sandwich was all it needed to be. Or just eaten by itself with a sprinkle of sea salt. My goodness, and the fresh raspberries and strawberries! I could never figure out why the supermarket's produce tasted so bland, well now I know.
7. Try composting for a new addition to your garden, make your own nutritious soil with the scraps from your kitchen. Who would have thought? More details on composting.
   
   
   Best wishes to you on a prosperous and delightful garden this year!