In spite of all the ballyhoo surrounding El Niño this winter ( GodzillaEl Niño , no less ) , it ’s been a dissatisfactory time of year for Los Angeles weather - wise . We ’ve had rain , but not as much as the conditions models predicted . And so it looks like California will be heading into its 5th year of drouth .
For Angelenos , keeping a garden green has been a challenge these last few years , but it ’s even more dishearten to see hoi polloi rip up their lawns , only to put back them with a rocky landscape . Rocks , while H2O - witting , do nothing to support the local ecosystem that count on plant for food for thought and home ground . But works demand urine , so we ’re catch in a catch-22 .
Or are we ?
When we think of gardens , we typically recall of all the colorful annuals that fill flower beds every spring . Beautiful , but thirsty and shortly - live .
Then there are native plant life , which are often look out on but begin to gain popularity in our drouth - prostrate garden . Native plants are coinage that are indigenous to the region ; they may have occurred naturally for hundred of year , or they may have adapted over sentence to the clime . In California , it ’s calculate that over 6,300 native species exist — each one specially acclimated to the province ’s diverse topographies , climate , and grease .
Because of this , native flora pass into a natural rhythm with our seasonal cycles/second . They flourish in our aboriginal soils without plant food and other soil amendments , they have fewer pest problems because they ’ve co - evolved with aboriginal insects , and they supply our native birds , butterflies , bee , and other pollinators with food and protection . In fact , certain mintage of birds and butterfly autochthonic to the state survive exclusively on our aboriginal plants .
Most importantly for California , aboriginal plant use up to 80 percent less water than conventional gardens once they ’re established .
As we ’re firmly entrenched in drouth , that make a strong caseful fornotfilling your landscape painting with pee - intensive flora … or rocks , for that matter .
I ’ll be honest : I used to think native plant be chocolate-brown and bland . I ’d boost our browned hills in summertime and see grasses and sages in a spectrum of khaki , with the occasional soda of colouration from the wildflower . But when I originate gardening , and offer at our local park , and learn about the incredible raiment of aboriginal plants from theTheodore Payne Foundation , I realized that aboriginal plant come in every color , texture , variety , and aroma , from the splendid Orange River blooms of our dear California poppy to the fragrant purplish - blue flowers of California lilac . One can have a bungalow garden or a contemporaneous garden full of aboriginal flora that require a minimum of maintenance .
If you ’ve been pondering how to make your garden more pollinator - well-disposed as well as wallet - friendly , consider putting in native plants . And next month , you’re able to see how !
On April 2 and April 3 , 2016 , the Theodore Payne Foundation is hosting their annualNative Plant Garden Tourin Greater Los Angeles . The tour is a self - conduct journey through 41 inspiring gardens that show native plants subsist in harmony with our local wildlife , ground , and climate .
Gardens in Los Angeles , West Los Angeles , and South Bay will open to the world on Saturday , April 2 , while gardens in San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley will open on Sunday , April 3 . You ’ll be able to meet the householder , designer , and docent at each of the gardens , tour their landscapes , learn about the plants , even backpack a picnic to enjoy in their spaces .
All native plants are label on the duty tour , and many of the garden employ recycled materials , water catchment system , and other features unique to the site . You ’ll learn how to convert lawn to native landscapes , address challenge like steep slopes and shady corner , create habitats for raspberry and butterflies , and implant beautiful gardens that comprise victual , container , raised beds , no - mow meadow , and sustainable water features . While some of the space are professionally designed , many are a Labor Department of love and built on a budget .
And did I mention that you could actuallyhang outin these garden and savour them all day ? The householder I encounter in Manhattan Beach , where these pictures were accept , enounce that on previous term of enlistment , people actually brought books and lunches ! With such an open and friendly atmosphere , it ’s sure to be a wonderful weekend for all .
Thanks to the Theodore Payne Foundation , I have three couplet of just the ticket to give aside to Garden Betty readers !
The “ tickets ” let in your official guide to the2016 Native Plant Garden Tour , comprise the addresses of every public and private garden on the tour , plus a pin that gather you entrance into each garden .
The game show will end at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on Friday , March 11 , 2016 . Three winners will be drawn at random and announced the next week . secure luck !
Giveaway Rules
By the way , the tour recently lower its just the ticket prices and is now offering a Drought Special :
Visit their siteto check more , and please partake in with your friends . The tour supports a great establishment dedicated to a great cause !
Theodore Payne Foundationis providing the tickets for this giveaway . No compensation was pick up for this post .
Update : A large thanks to everyone who entered!This giveaway is now closed . The winner are Kari , Angie , and Jayne .
