all native to Napa Valley
What is Waterwise Gardening? It is gardening that bases plant selection on plants with low water needs consistent with our Mediterranean climate: that is a wet winter, dry summer favorable plants. Plants that grow in areas with summer rains and freezing winters are unlikely to thrive here without copious amounts of water. Plants native to areas with wet winters and dry summers are better adapted to low or no additional summer water.
Does this mean we have to have barren gravel scapes with cacti? No. There are many excellent choices that need no additional water once established:
- Spring blooming bulbs: Daffodils, Hyacinths, Brodiea, Allium etc
- Native Wildflowers, especially annuals: poppies, Lupine, Clarkia, Baby blue eyes etc.
- Napa Valley Native trees, bushes and wildflowers: Oaks, Philadelphus, Ceanothus, Manzanita etc
- Plants native to areas with similar climates like Australia and South Africa: Grevillea, Bottlebrush, Agapanthus
- Many vines are drought tolerant: Wisteria, Potato Vine, Convolvus, Bougainvillea, Trumpet Vine
Where to go for inspiration?
The ultimate guide is still my favorite Plants And Landscapes For Summer-Dry Climates Of The San Francisco Bay Region This is available at our library or via your bookseller.
GARDENS & NURSERIES: to visit for inspiration
Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden is a 3 acre native plant garden within Skyline Park. 2201 Imola Ave, Napa open 7 days a week
UC Davis Arboretum and Plant Guide Davis
Tilden Parks Regional Botanic Garden Large California Native plant section in the Berkeley Hills
Annies Annuals and Perennials Nursery with lovely display gardens in Richmond
Cal Flora Nursery in Fulton
BOOKS
- Growing California Native Plants Marjorie G. Schmidt Cultural information on growing Native California plants/
- Wildflowers of California Larry Ulrich Inspirational photos of California native wildflowers across California
- Oaks Of California Bruce Pavlik et al Description and cultural guide.
WEBSITES
Be Waterwise California waterwise gardening campaign
UC Davis Arboretum and Plant Guide Planting plans, plant lists etc.
California Native Plant Society Garden Planner restoring Nature one garden at a time
Cal Scape Plant Guide another plant guide.
