Why Natives?

With Southern California's rapidly declining wilderness areas and rapidly increasing water shortages, many people are wondering what happened to the California they grew up in or visited as a child.

Lush habitats, once full of wildflowers and birds, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to our rapid development, and water shortages are causing mandatory cutbacks throughout the state.

Planting a native garden gives you the ability to combat both of these crises at the same time.

As much as 70% of our potable water goes toward landscape use, much of that toward  lawn areas that are over-watered and over-fertilized.  Lawns comprise a good portion of our landscapes and yet they are costly, provide no wildlife value, and most of them are found in front yards and on medians where they provide little to no function.

Eliminating or reducing lawn areas and replacing them with drought tolerant landscaping and well designed hardscape elements will not only save money and reduce the use of polluting chemicals but make your home a point of interest, set apart from the dull green expanses on either side. 

This Claremont family removed 80% of their lawn and replaced it with natives.

Replacing Habitat One Yard at a Time:

The benefits of planting a native garden go well beyond saving on water, maintenance, and fertilizer.  You will also be creating habitat for wildlife that is being displaced daily by new development. 

Imagine transforming your yard from a sterile expanse of green to a living paradise full of birds, butterflies, and lizards.  Many people are amazed at the diversity of wildlife that arrives in their gardens, even in urban areas.  Birds and butteflies aren't the only things that will be attracted, children and adults alike love to explore, and a garden rich in a diversity of plants and animals provides the perfect tempation to get outside and do just that.

To learn more about California's native plants and their benefits visit:

www.cnps.org

www.laspilitas.com

www.treeoflifenursery.com

 Native Designs:

When presented with the idea of a native landscape many people are horrified at the thought of their lush lawn and shrubs being transformed into a brown weedy mess.   They point to the nearest drought ridden hillside and say, "You mean you want my yard to look like that?!"

Unfortunately, the misconception that native plants are ugly, weedy, a fire hazard, etc. is perpetuated by half-truths and bad experiences.

Many of our favorite landscaping plants, if left un-maintained and without water for several months at a time, will look a weedy mess at best and at worst will die from lack of care.

The keys to a gorgeous and lush native garden are very similar to the keys to any gorgeous and lush landscape:

• Choose plants that are compatible, both water-wise and design-wise.
• Combine heavy blooming perennials with evergreen shrubs for year-round interest.
• Provide supplemental water during the dry seasons to keep the plants green.
• Prune!  Structural pruning and removal of old blooms is a must for a neat and healthy looking landscape.
• And, above all, start with a good design.  The proper placement of plant material in relationship to the other elements in the landscape is the first step to achieving a gorgeous garden!