California - native plants by Cheer Santy Tips for Successful Native Landscaping     There are several things to keep in mind when gardening with native plants. The first is diversity. A wide variety of plants will help cut down on infestation by pests, and will increase the shelter, food and attractiveness for beneficial critters. In addition, this will add more seasonal fragrance and asthetic appeal to your garden -- you'll have blooms all summer long. California Native: Monardella villosa; Coyote Mint Photo by Jeff Abbas © 2001     Adaptability is another important factor. Choose plants which are adapted to your local microclimate. Also consider the light levels, soil type and drainage in your garden, and choose your plants appropriately. Our Cole Hardware nursery staff is available to help you choose plants which are appropriate to your yard.     When planning your garden, be sure to plan for the seasons -- evergreens will give your garden year-round continuity, while a variety of blooming plants and grasses will provide flowers all summer long. Use vines to spruce up a wall, or shorter plants to create borders and edges. Spacing plants closely together will create a jungle-y, impenetrable effect, while a more spacious aspect can be achieved by planting further apart.     Finally, work with what you've got. Check out our selection of native plants or go to your local library for a book on natives to see what is already growing in your garden. Chances are, you'll have some specimens already in place, which just need a little weeding or some loving care.     Native plants can also be grown as wildflowers; once they are established in your garden, they need very little constant attention from you. Planting Native California Plants     Whether you are planting an annual wildflower garden, tufts of colorful California grasses or fruiting shrubs, there are several things you can do to ensure that your plants grow and thrive.     Firstly, you should prepare your site. Pull out any existing weeds, and learn to recognize young weeds so that you can pull them before they get large enough to threaten your plants. If your site has poor drainage, use the existing soil to create a mound around the base of your plant or a raised bed. Chances are you won't need to amend or fertilize your soil -- native plants tend to do better in poor soil than in rich.     Secondly, be aware of the season in which you are planting. The best time to plant native plants is in the fall, just before the rains come. However, this is not to say that you can't plant successfully at other times of the year. Just be sure to water regularly for the first several weeks until your plants are well established in your garden.     Using a mulch, such as cedar chips or bark, will help keep weeds down in the open spaces between plants. Don't pile the mulch too high around the trunk of plant, however, as this may cause crown rot.     Also, use mulch sparingly around wildflowers if you would like them to reseed themselves. Keep in mind that you want to avoid summer watering. California native plants are adapted to a dry summertime and need their rest. Watering of natives should occur only in early fall or late spring if the rains should fail. Pest Control     Finally, pest control is essential. Seedlings can be very tender. Watch for damage from slugs, snails, aphids and other garden pests. Copper barriers and hand picking will control slugs, while a mild insecticidal soap or the release of some ladybugs will discourage aphids. Just remember to check for pests frequently, so that any potential problems may be nipped in the bud.     If you've ever felt that your garden could use some color, or wanted to attract butterflies and birds, or if you need easy-to-care-for plants which don't need much attention, native gardening may be for you. Not only will you preserve a little bit of a fast disappearing native habitat, but you'll beautify and enrich your garden at the same time.     Thanks to Nicole Salgado of the SLUG Native Plant Nursery for information and assistance. - Hardware Hotline  August, 2001