Tom Hessel

Hey SLOers, I’ve just moved here from Australia, very close to Graduating just waiting on 1 subject I’m finishing in February. I studied at CalPoly last year in the Fall Quarter and am back to try and live here. Would really appreciate any tips on getting my feet on the ground here, looking to do some volunteering or interning and just meet some…[Read more]

Early registration for FIU LABASH 2012 has been extended by 1 week, don’t miss out register today!

I have been using more Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’ up here in the East Bay of S.F. It seems to be an easy evergreen plant. So far, so good.

Has anyone had any problems with it after it has established?

Also what is your favorite Ceanothus and why?

Hi all.  I’m working on a planting plan for a steep slope in an area that has plenty of DG (East San Diego) and need to add a burgundy color to the palette.  All of the other plants are xeric.  I’m hoping to find something that someone doesn’t need to prune (due to the steepness) but that will add color even if it’s deciduous. I’m using Ma…[Read more]

Glenn, and all
True that clients like to see green plants in the summer. Which is why some designers advocate a mix of native (80%) and non-native (20%) plants. The non-natives – which may require some summer water – stay green while the natives go summer brown.

Since many of our native plants go dormant in the summer as a survival technique to dry summers, I’m saying “advantageous for the summer-dry months” as it relates to the clients who prefer to see green plants and leaves still hanging onto their Buckeyes. Alternatively, Juncus, Western Sword Fern, and Iris, for instance, often receive summer water…[Read more]

Glenn Do you really need to irrigate these plants that you mention in summer? They are native to N California, and so in a “natural” context do not get any summer water. Why would you need to irrigate them in a cultured situation?

Ashley- In urban settings, supplemental irrigation is advantageous for the summer-dry months. Specifically, I’ve used inline subsurface drip. Quality growing medium like compost is important too, along with mycorrhizal fungi applications to help plants thrive through root establishment. Some native plant material I have used are: Juncus…[Read more]

does anyone know how rain gardens thrive in the Bay Area? I am wondering because right now, its the rainy season, so everything is getting a lot of water – but when it is summer and dry, how do the plants in the rain garden get their water? What plants do you suggest putting in the rain garden?

Hello all
For those of you in the San Fran Bay Area registration for the tour of East Bay native plant gardens just opened. Went last year, will go again this year. http://www.BringingBacktheNatives.net

Semiarundaria fastuosum is a good screen variety. Dense and upright.