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Semelhante a Clay & hummingbirds 2009 (20)
Clay & hummingbirds 2009
- 1. Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with South Bay Native Plants
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND
- 2. A Hummingbird
Garden in Clay Soils
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
May 2 & 5, 2009
© Project SOUND
- 3. American bird artist, John James Audubon, called
hummingbirds "glittering garments of the rainbow."
© Project SOUND
- 4. California is a migratory route or year round residence for
at least six members of the hummingbird family, more than
any other state in the U.S.
© Project SOUND
- 5. Anna’s Hummingbird
Feeds on a variety of flowers as well
as insects and spiders - eats more
arthropods than most hummingbirds.
Particularly likes Salvia species,
Known for its red head. (Sage), particularly Hummingbird
These feathers are only Sage (Salvia spathacea).
visible at a certain angle.
This allows the male Anna's Likes to get a drink on hot days.
Hummingbird to hide when
he needs to and show off They especially like bird baths that
when it suits him. drip so they can hover and sip water
as it runs over the edge.
http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds They will also perch on the edge and
/Hummingbirds/Anna's_Hummingbird/An
drink as other birds do but they only
sit still for a minute
na's_Hummingbird.htm
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/167/_/An
nas_Hummingbird.aspx
© Project SOUND
- 6. Allen’s Hummingbird
Common in brushy woods, gardens & meadows
of coastal California
Male highly aggressive and territorial. Hot-
tempered despite its diminutive stature, a
male Allen's Hummingbird will chase other
males from its territory, as well as any other
hummingbird species
Eats mainly nectar (occasionally eating
spiders and insects it finds in flowers). The
spiders and insects provide a source of
protein.
Need nectar sources with high amounts of
sugar to support their incredibly high
metabolisms.
Must visit approximately one thousand
flowers per day and needs to consume
more than twice its own weight in nectar
each day.
Has very general nesting requirements - will
nest in trees, shrubs, or herbs. Nests are
very small and tightly woven cups.
http://hummingbirds.arizona.edu/Web%20pictures/Allen's%20male_salal_Melton.png
© Project SOUND
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/allens_hummingbird_map.htm
- 7. The hummingbird habitat: not just pretty
red flowers…
A hummingbird-friendly
garden requires five key
elements to provide good
hummingbird habitat
Nectar-producing flowers
Insects
http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pics/alhumas.jpg Water
Perching places
Nest sites
© Project SOUND
- 8. Like humans, hummingbirds require water for
refreshment, bathing and drinking as part of their
habitat.
In nature, hummingbirds like to take a bath
on a cupped leaf or a shallow pool, or take a
“rainbath”.
In the garden, the best water for
hummingbirds is moving water.
Misters emit a fine mist of water when
attached to a garden hose. Placing a mister
so that the mist falls against the foliage of a
tree or plant will create a situation where
hummingbirds have multiple opportunities to
use the feature
Another good source of hummingbird water is
a dripper – simply a hose with a tight valve
that allows a very slow, rhythmic drip into a
reservoir of water. These are often attached
to bird baths. Hummingbirds may drink from
either the drip or the reservoir and will
occasionally bathe in the reservoir
© Project SOUND
- 9. Flowers that depend on the hummingbird for
pollination do all they can to please and attract
Hummingbirds.
Their blossoms project into the open
where the birds won’t get caught in the
foliage.
Their trumpet shapes accommodate
their long bills, and discourage other
insects.
Since Hummingbirds have no ability to
smell, the flowers do not need to be
scented.
Flowers often red or orange to attract
hummingbirds visually - their inquisitive
male Rufous Hummingbird on Oregon Grape©Donald Jedlovec nature quickly leads them to investigate
any possible new source of food
They tend to have very high sugar
Humming-bird pollinated plants content to their nectar – higher than for
and their pollinators evolved bee- or butterfly-pollinated plants
together – “co-evolution”
© Project SOUND
- 11. What is a clay soil?
Soil: a combination of sand,
silt, clay, minerals and
organic matter that also
contains some air and water.
Clay soils are sometimes
referred to as heavy soils
http://www.soilsensor.com/soiltypes.aspx
and sandy soils are called
light.
To be classified as clay soil,
it should be made up of
about 50% clay particles,
the finest particles found in
soil.
© Project SOUND
http://www.your-healthy-gardens.com/soil.html
- 12. Most gardeners know if they have clay soil
If your soil sticks to
shoes and garden
tools like glue, forms
big clods that aren't
easy to separate, and
crusts over and
cracks in dry
weather, you have
clay.
© Project SOUND
- 13. Tests for clay soil: Feel Tests
Rub a sample of soil between your
fingers.
Sandy soil is rough and gritty and
breaks up easily.
Clay soil is sticky and feels like
plastic.
Silt is in between - much smaller
particles than sand and it feels
slippery when wet.
Squeeze a sample of moist soil
A heavy clay soil will form a solid
lump that is difficult to crumble
when it's squeezed together. You
http://home.howstuffworks.com/soil-texture-and-structure.htm
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm
can form a ‘rope’ or ‘ribbon’
First, take a handful of It's hard to get sandy soil to form a
lump and it crumbles easily.
moist soil and feel it.
© Project SOUND
- 14. Tests for clay soil: sedimentation test
Fill a quart jar 2/3 full with
water
Add dry soil (break up clods)
until water is within 1” of top
of jar.
Put the lid on the jar and
shake it energetically until
everything is swirling around.
Then set it aside and let it
settle, and mark layers until
the water clears.
The layers indicate just how
much sand, silt and clay make
up your soil.
© Project SOUND
- 15. The sedimentation Sand Layer: settles in 1-2 minutes
process Allow suspended soil to settle for about a
minute.
Mark the side of the jar at the top of
the layer that has settled out.
Silt Layer: settles in 1 hour
Set jar aside, being careful not to mix
the sand layer; wait ~ an hour.
Mark the top of the Silt Layer on the
side of the jar.
Clay layer: settles in ~24 hours
Set jar aside, being careful not to shake
or mix the layers that have settled out.
After 24 hours, or when the water is
clear (more or less), mark the jar at the
The percentage of top of the clay layer.
each layer tells you
what kind of soil you Most of the organic matter will be
have.
floating on the top of the water
© Project SOUND
- 16. Very common in certain areas of S.
Clay soils CA, particularly around urban areas
where fill soils have been used to
establish grade in subdivisions and
developments.
Clay soils are typically comprised of
approximately 0 - 45% sand, 0 -
45% silt and 50 - 100% clay by
volume.
Clay soils are not typically free
draining, and water tends to take a
long time to infiltrate.
When wet, such soils tend to allow
virtually all water to run-off.
Clay soils tend to be heavy and
difficult to work when dry.
50% clay particles
© Project SOUND
- 17. Are also common in
Loam Soils Southern California,
particularly in the valleys
and flat areas (flood plains)
surrounding rivers and
streams.
Loam soils are typically
comprised of approximately
25 - 50% sand, 30 - 50%
silt and 10 - 30% clay by
volume.
Loam soils are somewhat
heavier than sandy soils
Tend to be fairly free
draining, again, due to
typically low organic
1:1:1 soils content.
© Project SOUND
- 18. Gardening in clay soils is different
The old CA garden philosophy: amend the heck out of it
The new CA Garden philosophy: what plants will do well in my
clay soil? How do I manage my asset (clay soil)?
© Project SOUND
- 19. The benefits of clay soils are real…
They retain soil moisture
well – you won’t have to
water as often
They usually retain
nutrients better than
sandy soils
Many trees & shrubs
(particularly CA natives)
grow well in clay soils
Trees often develop
better root system – less
likely to topple over
© Project SOUND
- 20. The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
my experience) are:
Leaving the soil alone as
much as possible
Timing:
When to plant
When to water
Plant Choice:
Plants adapted to clay soils
Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your
soil
Mulch/ground-covers
© Project SOUND
- 21. Benefits of CA native plants in clay soils
No need to ‘turn the soil’ each
year – associated with problems
of compaction
If you plant soils native to your
area, they are adapted to your
local soil – whatever the soil may
be
No need for expensive (and
backbreaking) adding of
amendments & fertilizers
Most native plants (esp. trees and
shrubs) have strong roots;
penetrate most clays just fine
© Project SOUND
- 22. Amending clay soils: yes or no?
The best way to amend is with
composted organic material
Good/necessary choice for:
Vegetable gardens
Non-native plants
Problems (for native plants)
May change soil pH
Increases nutrient levels – may
be too high for many natives
Not needed – many natives are
fine with many clay soils
© Project SOUND
- 24. Contouring for water management and
conservation
Small elevation changes (1-3
ft.) in a landscape can work
wonders:
Provide a greater range of Water
Zones: high areas will be drier –
low areas wetter
Allow local native plants to be
grown in clay soils – provide
better drainage
Allow good use of seasonal
rainfall – channel rainwater into
depressions (water gardens) or
swales
© Project SOUND
- 26. *Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribescalifornicum.jpg
© Project SOUND
- 27. *Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium
Hills of the Transverse Ranges –
Ventura to Orange Co.
Locally: Santa Monica Mtns
San Gabriels
Mostly in canyons, shaded areas that
get a little extra moisture
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4450,4451,4458,4460
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-pictures-from-3-mile-hike-on.html
© Project SOUND
- 28. Moderate sized shrub
that can be trained
Size:
3-6+ ft tall
4-6+ ft wide
Growth form:
Woody shrub
Drought-deciduous; also often
http://picasaweb.google.com/Julia.Green.67/SmithRiverFloraFauna#5071202037998081666 winter deciduous
Arched/mounded form
Foliage:
Leaves typical for
currants/gooseberries
Bright to dark green; shiny
Bark: red-brown
Dense enough to provide cover
for birds
Note prickles – be sure you
locate in the right place!
Roots: bind soils well
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3406541076/ © Project SOUND
- 29. Flowers are fantastic
Blooms:
Early spring - usually Jan-
Mar. in our area
All Ribes provide good early
flowers: pretty color &
nectar source
Flowers:
Almost fuschia-like
Pink/purple & white
Small, but in clusters – &
lots of them
Great hummingbird magnet
– they guard them!
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/ribcal.html © Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/hummingbird.html
- 30. The real treats (for humans & others) are the berries
Humans, birds &
others will vie for
them!
Consider the
possibilities:
Jellies
Juices
Sorbets
Wine
Etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ken-ichi/2336897514/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/repetti/175661922/
© Project SOUND
- 31. Hillside Gooseberry does well in many clay
soils… Soils:
Texture: just about any; sandy
to well-drained clays
pH: any local
Light:
Does best with afternoon shade
or dappled shade
Water:
Young plants: regular water
Winter: takes some flooding
Summer:
likes moist soil (Zone 2-3 or 3);
will lose leaves otherwise
No overhead water in warm
periods – fungal disease
http://www.calflora.net/favoritephotos/images/hillsidegooseberry7.jpg
Fertilizer: organic mulch; keep away
from trunk © Project SOUND
- 32. Garden uses for native Gooseberries and Currants
As an attractive pot plant – large
pot or planter
As a background shrub,
particularly in a habitat garden
For a hedge or screen
In a woodland garden
Under trees – be sure they have
the same water requirements
As an accent plant – can be
pruned for a formal look
Espaliered along a wall or fence
In an edible garden
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomtruth/3254808068/
© Project SOUND
- 33. Other Ribes for clay soils
Golden Currant – R. aureum Chaparral Currant - R. malvaceum
White-flowered Currant – R. indecorum Fuschia-flowered Gooseberry - R. speciosum
© Project SOUND
- 34. The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
my experience) are:
Leaving the soil alone as
much as possible
Timing:
When to plant
When to water
Plant Choice:
Plants adapted to clay soils
Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your
soil
Mulch/ground-covers
© Project SOUND
- 35. How good is the drainage in your clay
soil? – conduct a ‘perc test’
Soil texture/Drainage
Soil type Approximate time
to drain
Hard-pan or days
sodic soils
Clay 3-12 hours
Loam 20-60 minutes
dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
fill with water and let drain
Sand can't fill the
fill hole again, measure hole, drains
time for water to drain too fast
© Project SOUND
- 36. Loam soil that doesn’t drain?
‘Claypans’ & ‘Plowpans’
What are they?
Impermeable layers within
the soil – usually high in clays
Cause water to drain very
slowly – ‘vernal pools’
What causes them?
Natural causes: due to
natural sedimentation in
areas once covered by water
Compaction/plowing: leaves an
area that is permenantly
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/lectsupl/Soil/soil.html
compacted
© Project SOUND
- 37. Provide adequate drainage before
planting in soils with claypan.
Create a sump by augering
one or more holes, each 1
to 4 inches in diameter,
through impermeable soil
or hardpan. Auger down at
least 3 feet or deeper if
necessary to penetrate to
more permeable soil. Fill
the holes with pea gravel
or sandy loam soil before
planting.
Dig planting hole down
through the claypan or
compacted layer
Or just plant natives that
can take the extra
moisture
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/sitepreparation.html
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-plant-trees-shrubs-and-vines.htm/printable © Project SOUND
- 38. Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) –
Stachys rigida (ajugoides)
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
© Project SOUND
- 39. Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) –
Stachys rigida (ajugoides)
West coast from WA to
Baja – local var. (rigida)
more coastal
Grows in moist places:
Damp bottomlands
Along creeks and streams
– riparian areas
Near marshes
var. rigida Other moist low ground,
including roadside ditches
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Stachys+ajugoides+var.+rigida
© Project SOUND
- 40. The Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Includes many herbs used in cooking &
perfumery; Rosemary, French Lavender,
Thyme, Majoram, Sage, and the garden mints
Are usually aromatic, but not necessarily
minty
Loved by hummingbirds!
The stems are square with opposite leaves,
with each pair of leaves at right angles to the
ones above and below it.
The flowers are in whorls
The corolla of the individual flower is usually
2-lipped, with 2 lobes forming the upper lip
and 3 lobes the lower lip.
Many members of Lamiaceae
The hedgenettle genus Stachys is a mint –
make attractive garden only superficially resembles “nettles” - so
additions, particularly the “Wood Mint” is really a better name
showy sages and mints.
© Project SOUND
- 41. Rigid Woodmint is a good example of a shady
wetland perennial plant
Modest size: 1-3 ft high and wide
Does well in part shade; full shade in
hot areas – would do well under
trees
Requires moist soil most/all of the
year to succeed – regular water in
the garden
Blooms in summer – nectar source
for bees, butterflies and
hummingbirds; also seed-eaters
Spreads by rhizomes (underground
stems) – good groundcover in damp
areas of the garden – cut back
yearly to keep in check
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rigidhedgenettle.html
© Project SOUND
- 42. Specimens from further north are more
colorful
Colors range from magenta
to pale pink
Unclear what proper
taxonomy is – much
current debate
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Carr/ofp/sta_rig.htm
George W. Hartwell
© Project SOUND
- 43. Rigid Woodmint can be a useful addition
to the shade garden
Small irrigated perennial
borders – size is modest, so
good scale for small area
Bog or seep gardens with
Rushes, Spikerush, Mimulus
guttatus, Ranunculus
californicus, Verbena
lasiostachys
Groundcover for damp, shady
areas
Near ponds
Great in well-watered
planters, pots
© Project SOUND
- 44. Other local Woodmints also make great
groundcovers in clay soils
Just trim back,
even drastically,
in Fall to keep
plants in check
Stachys albens Stachys bullata © Project SOUND
- 46. Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
rules & you’ll succeed
Never work clay soils when they are soggy
wet or bone dry; ditto for walking on wet
clays
Plant after the first fall rains (best) or wet
the ground thoroughly
Let ground dry out (1-2 weeks depending on
drainage)
Dig a hole that’s not too big (or deep)
1 ft wider than tree/shrub (6” on each side)
Same depth as plant – rough up soil in bottom
of hole
Consider digging hole with a spading fork
rather than a shovel – or rough up the sides
of the hole
© Project SOUND
- 47. Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
rules & you’ll succeed
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm
Don’t amend (or put gravel in) planting hole – encourages root rot
Backfill with soil from the hole; break up any clods/clumps
Firm down the soil around the roots
If you create a moat around the plant, remove it in wet weather
© Project SOUND
- 48. Native plants with wide water tolerances
often do well in clay soil gardens
© Project SOUND
- 49. * Rose (Chaparral) Snapdragon – Sairocarpus
multiflorus (Antirrhinum multiflorum)
© 2002 Lynn Watson
© Project SOUND
- 50. * Rose Snapdragon – Sairocarpus multiflorus
(Antirrhinum multiflorum)
Foothills below 4000 ft.
elevation
Generally on dry slopes,
disturbed areas or burns
Usually in chaparral
Soil may be rocky
Other names: Multiflowered
Snapdragon; Sticky Snapdragon;
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7177,7178,7187 Withered Snapdragon
© Project SOUND
- 51. Rose Snapdragon
is a fire-follower
Common reasons why a
plant is a fire-follower:
Seeds need either heat
and/or smoke exposure
to germinate
Plants need full sun
Plant need decreased
competition for
water/nutrients
Soil nutrient levels are
increased; plants that
need a little extra
nutrients may be fire-
followers
© 2006 Aaron Schusteff
© Project SOUND
- 52. Rose Snapdragon:
a sub-shrub
Size:
2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Growth form:
Perennial/sub-shrub
Bushy or mounded form
Foliage:
Lance-shaped, blue-green
leaves; larger below
Semi-drought deciduous;
retained with a little summer
water
http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/flowers/index.php?action=show_item&id=175&search=
Ó by Dave Hildebrand © Project SOUND
- 53. Flowers: delightful!
Blooms:
Spring into summer; usually
Apr-June in our area
Blooms over several weeks
Flowers:
Snapdragon-type
Color: ranges form hot
pink/magenta to pale pink,
even lavender
Flowers arrange snapdragon-
like along upright stems –
very showy
Fragrant; loved by
hummingbirds
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=60
Seeds: small; surface sow – let
dry out a bit between watering
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rosesnapdragon.html
© Project SOUND
- 54. Soils:
Plant Requirements Texture: tolerates wide range
from sandy to clay
pH: any local
Light:
Full sun to part shade
Full sun fine in most gardens,
but flower color may be better
with a little shade
Water:
Winter: needs good water
Summer: wide range of
tolerance – Zone 1-2 to 2-3;
good for transitional zones
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Management: cut back to 12” in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antirrhinummultiflorum.jpg
fall/winter
© Project SOUND
- 55. Pink Snapdragon –
made for the garden
In mixed perennial beds; good
water tolerance
In native grasslands; or mixed
with wildflowers
Good choice on sunny hills and
slopes
Wonderful habitat plant;
hummingbirds and others
As an attractive pot plant
Good showy choice to use as
‘cover’ while slower-growing
© 2006 Aaron Schusteff http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/316812126/
shrubs are maturing
© Project SOUND
- 56. Habitat : not just for nature preserves any more
Our yards are
a critical
source of
habitat for
birds, insects,
other wildlife
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Drummond_2009/index.html
© Project SOUND
- 57. * Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora
© 2006 Steve Matson
© Project SOUND
- 58. * Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora
Endemic to Outer
North Coast Ranges
(Vine Hill, near
Forestville, Sonoma
Co.)
A common garden
Manzanita – many
cultivars of varying
sizes
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Arctostaphylos+densiflora
© Project SOUND
- 59. © 2001 David Graber
Grows on unique shale outcrops
© Project SOUND
- 60. Vine Hill Manzanita is a winner..
Size:
4-8 ft tall (cultivars somewhat
outside this range)
4-6+ ft wide
Growth form:
Woody shrub; actual form
depends on local conditions
Cultivars range from tree-form
to low groundcover
Moderate growth rate
Bark an attractive red-brown
Foliage:
Evergreen
Leaves leathery, elliptic,
upright, medium green
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_trunk.JPG
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/419662011_8048513537.jpg?v=0
© Project SOUND
- 61. Flowers: small but showy
Blooms:
Late winter/early spring;
usually Feb.-Apr in W. L.A.
Co.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3356240703/
Flowers:
Small urn-shaped flowers
typical of Manzanitas
Shell-pink or white
Many flowers in dense,
showy clusters – a real
show-stopper
Hummingbirds love them
© Project SOUND
© 2006 Steve Matson
- 62. The berries are edible
Loved by fruit-eating birds
like Cedar Waxwings,
Mockingbirds, etc.
http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Arcto_HowardMcMinn.htm
Can be used to make a drink
or juice reminiscent of
apple cider (manzanita is,
after all, ‘little apple’)
Also makes a nice jelly or
syrup
© Project SOUND
- 63. An adaptable Manzanita Soils:
Texture: quite adaptable –
more so than other Manzanitas
– takes clay soils
pH: any local; slightly acidic is
best
Light:
Full sun to part-shade
Water:
Winter: tolerates seasonal
flooding
Summer: likes to be fairly dry
– Zone 1-2 to 2 once
established
Fertilizer: likes poor soils; fine
with organic mulch
© Project SOUND
- 64. Vine Hill manzanita
Train as an attractive tree
Use as a large accent shrub
Shear as a formal hedge – or leave it
more informal
Some cultivars even make nice
evergreen groundcovers
http://www.nativeson.com/images/plants/arctostaphylossunset.jpg
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/arcdenhm.htm
‘Howard McMinn’ cultivar © Project SOUND
- 65. ‘Sentinel’ cultivar
8-10 ft tall & ft wide; upright
habit
Very ‘garden-tolerant’
One of the easiest Manzanitas
to grow
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-densiflora-sentinel-manzanita
© Project SOUND
- 66. ‘Howard McMinn’
cultivar
5-8+ ft tall & wide
Readily available
Very tolerant or garden
conditions; long-lived (50+ years)
Often trained as a small tree
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_lsp_shrub.JPG
‘White Lanterns’ is more dense
http://www.nativeson.com/images/plants/arctohoward.jpg
http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Arcto_HowardMcMinn.htm © Project SOUND
- 67. ‘Harmony’ cultivar
Low-growing – 2-3 ft tall & 6+ ft
wide
Used for hedges & groundcovers
Easy to grow – does fine in
heavy clay soils
http://www.theodorepayne.org/gallery/pages/A/arctostaphylos_Harmony.htm
© Project SOUND
- 68. Watering clay soils: it’s all about timing…
Soils should neither be too wet
(root rot) nor too dry (prevents
water from penetrating)
Winter rains can present a
challenge; contouring
You have control of summer
water; check your soil until you
get to know just how often to
water
Deep water – but shorter run
times (20 min in clay on slopes)
The question of drip irrigation
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/07-035.htm
© Project SOUND
- 69. Mulches & cover crops are essential
Cover crops
help dry out
soils – at
depths
Mulches
keep the
surface
from drying
http://www.sare.org/publications/bsbc/chap14.htm
out too fast
Consider using native grasses & wildflowers as ‘cover crops’
© Project SOUND
- 71. Showy Penstemon – Penstemon spectabilis
Penstemons
270 species worldwide (largest of the
Figwort genera), 150 species in
western U.S.
Ancient genus – and long in the
Americas
Have evolved to succeed in a wide
range of conditions – very wet to very
dry
Have a variety of types of pollinators
Penstemon spectabilis
Likely in dry areas of PV peninsula,
definitely in Santa Monica Mountains
and foothills near Los Angeles
© Project SOUND
- 72. Bee pollinated Hummingbird pollinated Reading floral
clues
Bee pollinated flowers:
Shorter “bell”
More wide-open
(particularly those
pollinated by large
bees)
Color: more often blue
Hummingbird pollinated
flowers:
Longer, more tube-like
flower; less bell-shaped
Color: more often red
https://www.csun.edu/biology/grad/faculty/wilsonpdfs/Wilsonetal2004.pdf
© Project SOUND
- 75. Showy Penstemon
Size: 2-5 ft tall; 2-4 ft wide
Fast-growing each year from
woody base; dies back in fall
Usually upright – but may sprawl
Coarsely serrate, smooth grayish
green leaves that turn partially
purple in cold weather, drought –
dramatic looking
Usually long-lived (for a
herbaceous perennial) – at least
12 years
© Project SOUND
- 76. Flowers definitely live up to their name
Blooms Apr-June – over a month
or more
Flowering spikes rise above the
foliage
Flowers lavender/purple tinged
with pink
Flowers attract bees, masarid
wasps (pollinators), butterflies
and hummingbirds
Seeds eaten by seed-eating
birds
© Project SOUND
- 77. Gardening with Showy Penstemon
Soils: any well-drained soil
from sandy/rocky to clay; any
local pH
Sun: full sun to part-shade
Water: very drought tolerant;
don’t over-water in summer.
Summer water extends
growth season but decreases
lifespan
Pruning: Cut back to rosettes
after seed has matured in
summer
Reseeds: commonly on bare
ground
Easy to grow in the right location
© Project SOUND
- 78. Penstemons in your
garden
Location is everything: plant with
other plants that like summer/fall
dormancy
Ceanothus, Grindelia, Nassella,
Yucca
Encelia, Eriogonum, Mimulus,
Salvia
Excellent specimen plants – great
flowers & foliage
In the back of a perennial garden
or bed – it is tall
In large planters, rock gardens
In the butterfly or hummingbird
garden
Make nice cut flowers, too
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2522746720_2c1c7ffab1.jpg © Project SOUND
- 79. Other Penstemons for hummingbirds
P. eatonii
http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/faculty/sylvester/118_fotos2005/Flowers/Flowers-
Images/11.jpg
P. heterophyllus
© Project SOUND
P. newberryi
- 80. Summary: succeeding with clay soils
Minimize work in and walking on
muddy clay soils to prevent
compaction; provide walkways
Minimize the amount of ‘working’
clay soils; leave them intact as
much as possible
Plant with the first fall/winter
rains if possible
Only plant when ground is well-
watered but dried out enough to
not be muddy
Don’t make planting holes too
large/deep – and don’t amend the
soil in the holes
© Project SOUND
- 81. Summary: succeeding with clay soils
Use a mulch and/or cover
crop (native grasses;
wildflowers); leave
Supplemental water only
as needed; check soils at
depth of 4”
Monitor your watering
closely; timing is critical
© Project SOUND
- 82. Hummingbirds &
parking strips?
Good choices for
clay soils include:
Grasses
Sedges
Some perennials
Many annual
wildflowers – see
list for key ones
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Dahlquist_2009/index.html © Project SOUND
- 83. Western Wallflower – Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html
© Project SOUND
- 84. Western Wallflower – Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
Grows in the west – Texas
to British Columbia
Found in much of CA
is a common member of
many plant communities,
generally away from the
coast, below 8000'
Also called Sand dune
Wallflower – but don’t let
that discourage you!
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Erysimum+capitatum+var.+capitatum
© Project SOUND
- 85. Grows in a variety
of conditions
Dry open areas in
pine forests
© 2004 George W. Hartwell Rocky or gravelly
areas
Grasslands with clay
soils
All are relatively dry
in summer – allow
plant to have summer
dormancy period
© Project SOUND
- 86. Western Wallflower looks somewhat like our local
Dune Wallflower
Size:
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form:
Short-lived (2-3 year) perennial
in our area
Upright growth habit
Dies back to ground in dry
season
Foliage:
Leaves sparse, almost linear
Blue-green
Roots: soil-binding
http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=22411
© Project SOUND
- 87. Flowers are fantastic
Blooms: spring – Mar-May
in western L.A. County
Flowers:
Bright golden yellow;
quite showy
Typical shape for
Brassicaceae (Mustard);
parts of 4
Open ‘up the stem’
Attracts bees,
hummingbirds & other
pollinators
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/westernwallflower.html
© Project SOUND
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/wallfl3.htm
- 88. Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: any, including clays
pH: any local; dislikes acidic
soils
Light:
Part-shade (afternoon shade)
best in most gardens
Water:
Winter: needs good
winter/spring rains
Summer: dry (Zone 1 or 1-2);
needs summer dormancy
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: let plant re-seed before
cutting back in fall
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/westernwallflower.html
© Project SOUND
- 89. Western Wallflower
is good habitat
Excellent addition to a
habitat garden –
hummingbirds, bees and
butterflies favor it
Pair it with blue-flowered
annual wildflowers for an
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html
attractive contrast
Grow in dry spots along
walls
As an attractive pot plant
© Project SOUND
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erysimum_capitatum_5708.JPG
- 90. Western Wallflower
is good habitat
Excellent addition to a
habitat garden –
hummingbirds, bees and
butterflies favor it
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html Pair it with blue-flowered
annual wildflowers for an
attractive contrast
Grow in dry spots along
walls, parking strips, etc.
As an attractive pot plant
© Project SOUND
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erysimum_capitatum_5708.JPG
- 91. Other annuals & biennials that are
particularly attractive to hummingbirds
Circium occidentale Collinsia heterophylla Oenothera elata
Clarkia unguiculata Lupinus species Annual Salvias
© Project SOUND
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_whatsnew/whatsnewmay07.html
- 92. Gardening for hummingbird habitat
Place plants in several locations. This
will allow more hummingbirds and
minimize territorial fighting
Fill as much of your yard as possible with
flowering plants, vines, shrubs, and
trees. If you do not have a garden, even a
window box or hanging basket can attract
hummingbirds!
Plant clusters of the same species
together.
Plant flowers with different blooming
times to provide nectar throughout
the seasons.
Minimize or avoid using herbicides or
pesticides on or near those plants
where butterflies and hummingbirds
are feeding.
© Project SOUND
- 93. Gardening for Hummingbird habitat
Consider using many different kinds of
plants: annuals, perennials, trees and vines all can
contribute – check out the extensive list!
Encourage your neighbors to make their
yards hummingbird friendly too. An entire
corridor of habitat is much more valuable than
scattered patches.
Think vertically when planning your
hummingbird garden. Use trellises, trees, garden
sheds, or other structures to support climbing
vines; add window boxes, wooden tubs, or ceramic
pots to create a terraced effect and provide
growing places for a variety of plants.
http://www.nps.gov/noca/nie/articles/migratory_birds.htm Prune your plants to prevent excessive woody
growth and instead favor production of
flowers.
Learn about local hummingbird habits and
which species are likely to occur near your
home. Study the migration dates, nesting season,
and seasonal presence. This knowledge will help you
select plants that will bloom during the time that
hummingbirds are likely to visit your yard.
© Project SOUND
- 94. More tips: Gardening for Hummingbird habitat
Create both sun and shade area in
your hummingbird garden. Your
hummingbird flowers will need sun to grow
and your hummingbirds will need the shade
to perch in between feedings.
Be sure to position your hummingbird
garden where you can see it and get
the most enjoyment out of it.
Hummers spend nearly 80 percent of
their time resting, so you also will
want to provide plenty of places to
perch. They'll sit on twigs, leaf
stems, fences, etc..
Trees and shrubs don’t necessarily Mature trees and shrubs with a thick
need to be huge to provide good canopy are important nesting and
hummingbird habitat escape features. Shrubs, bushes and
perennials not only provide food but can
also provide perching and nesting sites
and, in some cases, escape features the
bird will use.
© Project SOUND
- 95. Once hummingbirds discover your property, the same individuals
are likely to return each year at about the same time – or simply
stay year-round; they are remarkable creatures of habit. The
number of hummingbirds that frequent your yard is closely linked
to the abundance of food, water, nesting sites, and perches
© Project SOUND