Fruits and vegetables need plenty of nutrients and water to thrive in a garden. California native plants prefer unamended soils and need little water once they’re established. Separation is the key to ...

So here's the truth about California native plant landscapes: Without careful planning, they can get a little drab, especially in the summer when many go dormant, brittle and brown. In climates where ...

One of the easiest ways to learn about California native plants is volunteering to get your hands dirty. There are numerous nonprofit organizations devoted to protecting and/or restoring habitat in ...

The summer of 2024 was California’s hottest on record. Did you struggle to keep your plants adequately watered? Did your water bills skyrocket? Did some plants die even with increased irrigation? Are ...

Gardening involves a short list of objectives: landscape beauty, drought tolerance, fire resistance (for vulnerable areas), and the enjoyment of gardening. Today’s column focuses on the benefits of ...

We’ve all heard that native plants are the best for supporting local wildlife. But what about those non-native garden classics, like lilacs and irises? Well, you’re in luck: For every non-native plant ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... After a tall tree in my garden developed a split, I had it removed last May (with city approval), revealing a large overgrown shrub. This shrub, a western ...

As home gardeners become more educated about the benefits of native plants (supporting native insects, birds and wildlife, and the environment as a whole), the focus has mainly been on trees, shrubs ...

Keystone plants and trees like the Coast Live Oak and California lilac are key players in the health of your garden. California Flora Nursery specializes in propagating plants on-site and has expanded ...

Nancee Wells, a field guide in the Dana Point/Laguna Beach area, sent me an email asking about the fire resistance of California native plants. Although California natives will eventually go up in ...