Helianthus annus ‘Sonja’
04.08.2023 - 00:44 / sunset.com
After 20 years of having a lawn that took, I wanted a yard that contributed: to the planet, to local animals, to biodiversity, to my neighbors, to my mental health. With the sage (native plant pun intended) design work, counsel, and collaboration of David Godshall of Terremoto and David Newsom of Wild Yards Project—and a plant-friendly paint palette from color consultant Teresa Grow—another little garden that gives was born.
Thomas J. Story
Just one hour per weekend on average is all that this densely planted front yard requires of its human custodians. But what it returns is infinite: the subtle gradations of blue-green going to dusty sage as the sun bakes a maturing canyon prince that rightly gets its name from its original habitat and its coronal structure; the aromatic fronds of Artemisia californica, a.k.a. cowboy cologne, reaching skyward; copper-hued clarkia stalks going dry at the end of summer and the attendant pleasure of snipping them on-site into mulch for the oak tree that will shade them when they return next spring; prolific swaggering poppies asserting their status as the California state flower, stopping kids and neighbors in their tracks with their blaze-orange petals; native bees sweetly napping in the chill of the morning, waiting for the sun to warm them enough to fly; blue-eyed grass and its purple and yellow flower sprays swaying in the shade of the oak. This lovely ex-lawn shelters and feeds hundreds of local insects, birds, and rare bees, requires very little water, and sequesters multiples of carbon over a standard lawn. Here’s how it came together.
Thomas J. Story
Instead of a cinderblock and stucco retaining wall that will inevitably crack, an organic tumble of boulders from a dig 30 miles away
Helianthus annus ‘Sonja’
Not everyone has a backyard appropriate for a large garden, but almost everyone can keep a container plant. Size is only one of the many advantages of growing plants in containers rather than in the ground. This only works well, however, if you select plants that are happy living in a pot. Gardeners in the West have many choices. Read on for some top options for California or Nevada container gardening.
Bermuda Grass is a popular warm-season garden specimen known for its durability and resilience. In this guide, we will provide you with essential tips and tricks on how to grow and maintain a lush Bermuda Grass Lawn.
Southern California has many flowering plants that are often used for landscaping. But if you have young children or pets that are likely to put things in their mouths, be aware that some of our colorful garden favorites can be dangerous. Here are some commonly grown beautiful plants that are toxic if ingested. Use caution if you put them in your garden.
Caitlin Atkinson
As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:
Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden / Melissa Habegger Photo
Ah, garden dreams. We all have them. You drive by someone’s front yard and gasp at how original, yet welcoming it is. Or you go to a friend’s garden party and get positively green with envy over their, well, greenery and the overall flow of the space. To achieve such greatness, you decide you need to hire a landscape designer. And then you realize you have no idea what to do next.
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It’s well known that the housing market is so competitive right now, but prospective home buyers aren’t the only ones hurting—renters are, too. According to personal finance website WalletHub, inflation has impacted rental prices, and 2022 saw the second-highest price growth in decades with a 6.2% year-over-year increase.
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California is well known for its trees and this article shall provide a list of the most popular California’s Native Shade Plants. So let’s begin!