I have become more and more intrigued with gardens designed with native plants. You may be thinking, native plants are messy and boring. The appeal is not necessarily in their showy flowers, although some have very unique flowers and textures, but in their ability to thrive in natural conditions with minimal care. I am not a purist by any means but integrating natives into your mixed borders just makes sense to me.

My goal is to visit at least one local nursery that specializes in native plants every time I travel. Business trips are much more difficult since we hardly see the light of day. On a recent trip to Tucson, Arizona, I visited my first native plant nursery, Civano Nursery.

About Civano Nursery

Civano Nusery is situated at the entrance of the Civano Development, a sustainable housing community on the Southeast side of Tucson. I was in search of a local nursery that specializes in Arizona and Sonoran Desert native plants. This had to be one of the most colorful nurseries I have ever visited. Although, I shouldn’t be surprised since most desert themes are very rich in color.

The staff were super friendly and took the time to educate me on some of the Arizona natives. A few of my favorites were the desert willow, “octopus” agave, and ocotillo. Ocotillo is a very distinctive desert shrub with thorny spikes that rise out of the ground up to 15 feet tall. During the drought season, this shrub looks dead, but once the rain hits, green leaves suddenly appear and bright, red tubular flowers appear in the spring. The nursery used the ocotillo poles as fencing to keep the rabbits out of the garden. >>More Civano Nursery plant pics

Why Plant With Natives?

Most everyone is attracted to flowering plants. No one seems to notice the unassuming Viburnum that screens the ugly water faucet I installed. Instead, people tend to notice One-ear Eddie, the gargoyle that sits on top of the post that supports the water faucet. I’m not suggesting everyone get rid of their herbaceous perennials, but simply integrate both native and non-native species. Natives attract more beneficial insects than non-natives and are less invasive than many exotics. Desert regions greatly benefit from the use of native plants since water is more scarce than in other parts of the country.

In the West, many gardens can have a variety of habitats in their yards, including desert, chaparral, woodland, wetland, and prairie. Take my garden for example, I have a combination of desert, meadow and woodland. I used to have wetlands all over my backyard until I dug in, I don’t know how many, french-drains and shoveled in tons of dirt to make raised beds. The 4 by 40 foot parking strip gets barely any hand-watering and lots of sun, so I planted drought-tolerant perennials. My favorite is Catmint ‘Walker’s Low’ (see photo) and the bees love it too. Plant combos in the shady, woodland part of my garden include Sweet Woodruff, Astibles, Japanese Forrest Grass, and our native Deerfern.

What do you mean by “established?”

This term used to puzzle me when I first started gardening, and yes, I knowingly admit I was very ignorant. I would read, “once you establish you plants you won’t need supplemental watering” and think, “what in the world is that supposed to mean?” You see this term used all the time when describing the benefits of xeriscape or drought-tolerant plants. By the way, drought-tolerant DOES NOT mean “no water necessary.” You first have to establish your newly bought container plants and help them acclimate to their new surroundings. This term is important to understand since it’s the biggest benefit to planting with natives.

Assuming you have sited right the location and conditions, saturate the soil with water immediately after planting. This is best done with a soaker hose or drip system as opposed to over-head watering (watering the plant leaves instead of just the roots). For the next 1 or 2 summers, water the plant steadily, being careful not to let them dry out completely, but don’t over soak them either. This is why I suggest a soaker hose, less time spent standing over your plants and easier to apply a constant amount of water. After the first couple of years getting your plants “established”, you will need little supplemental watering.

Native Plant Inspiration and Resources

• >>Santa Barbara Garden by Isabelle Greene
• >>Meadow designs by Piet Oudolf
• Search Plant Native for plants, nurseries, and books by region
• >>Arizona Native Plant Society
  

What native plants do you grow in your garden?

Lack a green thumb but love the idea of connecting with nature? Plants don’t have to be the only way to invite the outdoors into your home. Botanical inspired linens are a great way to create a relaxing, natural sanctuary in any room. Check out Amenity’s new line of 100% organically grown and organically processed bed linens, pillows, and nursery lines at 2modern.

How do you invite the outdoors into your home?

Words not your thing? Visit our Flickr photo group.

Soldier Beetle

When controlling pests in your yard, take the path of least toxicity. Not all bugs are harmful or cause damage to the plants in your garden. Beneficial insects, like the ones mentioned below, actually prey on the pests you are trying to get rid of. Pesticides, whether organic or synthetic, can be toxic to humans, beneficial insects, the pests they eat, and other predators like birds, frogs, fish, and cats to name a few.

I recently had aphids all over my Euphorbias earlier this spring. At first, I pinched them between my fingers every morning before work. Over the next couple of weeks, the colonies seemed to double . . . then triple. I reluctantly pruned the chartruese brachts (flowers) in hopes of bringing the population under control. Much to my displeasure, the colonies started migrating to the neighboring Euphorbias. I finally decided to selectively spray the brachts that were about to be smothered by aphids. Then one morning, I discovered the aphids had been replaced with a dozen Soldier Beetles.

Hierarchy of Pest Control

I’ll be honest, taking the path of least toxicity takes patience, a basic understanding of your garden, and commitment to healthy practices. Creating a healthy, toxic-free yard benefits not only beneficial wildlife, but also your pets, your family, your pocket book, and the environment. I’m not a crazed environmentalist preaching for major life changes overnight. I speak from experience that going “toxic-free” is a process that you should take one day at a time. As you come across pests in your yard, start with the least-toxic method listed below.

1. PREVENTION - use native plants, look for disease resistant varieties, annual vegetable crop rotation
2. PHYSICAL - remove whatever pests are eating, hand picking, pruning, blast bugs with the hose, traps
3. BIOLOGICAL - attract natural predators such as birds, beneficial insects, or even bats
4. CHEMICAL - organic or synthetic pesticides (hopefully this article persuades you to take the least toxic path available)

The Good Bugs

I try to allow beneficial bugs to keep my yard’s pest population under control. In the long run, beneficial insects will be much more effective in controlling pests than pesticides. However, pests tend to arrive earlier in the garden before the beneficial insects do.

Beneficials and Their Prey

Before you take action, try to correctly identify the bug as a friend or foe. Don’t completely eradicate the pests in your yard either. Beneficial insects depend on any insect smaller than they are for food. Here’s a small sample of the “good guys” you might see in your yard and what they love to eat:

Assassin Bug by tchuanye

• Assassin Bugs - prey on many insects
• Damsel Bugs - aphids, leafhoppers, small catepillars
• Ground Beetles - catepillars, cutworms, soil-dwelling maggots and grubs, slugs and snails
• Lacewings - Larvae feed on aphids, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, psyllids, thrips, whiteflies
• Ladybugs - Adults and larvae feed on aphids, mealybugs, and eggs of many insects
• Parasitic Nematodes - Effective against several hundred different insects
• Soldier Beetles - Adults prey on aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
• >>Pictures of Common Beneficials

Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects

Rather than buy beneficial bugs at your local nurseries, attract them to your yard naturally by providing water, shelter, and alternative foods. When there are no bugs to eat, beneficials feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. Many plants that attract beneficial wildlife have beautiful, long-blooming flowers. Once your yard is known as an inviting, delectable habitat, beneficials will return every year to feed on the pollen of your flowers and the pests that feed on your plants.

Moonbeam Coreopsis by Carl E Lewis

• ERIOGONUM (Buckwheat)
• TRIFOLIUM (Clovers)
• CORIANDRUM sativum (Coriander)
• AGROSTEMMA githago (Corn cockle)
• COREOPSIS
• COSMOS bipinnatus (Cosmos)
• ANETHUM graveolens (Dill)
• FOENICULUM vulgare (Fennel)
• ACHILLEA (Yarrow)
• TANACETUM vulgare (Tansy)
• BRASSICA (Mustard)
• LOBULARIA maritima (Sweet alyssum)

Least-Toxic Chemical Controls

Sometimes hand-picking, water blasting, beer trapping, and beneficial insects are just not enough to keep pests under control. Pesticide is a broad category that includes insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemicals that prevent or eliminate damage caused by a pest. Save them as a last resort because most of these products DO NOT discriminate the good bugs from the bad bugs. Below is a brief description of the most common least-toxic products used. >>More information on Controlling Pests Organically

• Horticulture Oils - highly refined petroleum oils used to smother aphids, mealy bugs, mites, scales, thrips and whiteflies
• Insecticidal Soap - highly refined liquid soaps to control aphids, spider mites, scale, whiteflies and other soft-bodied insects. (NOT DETERGENT but potassium salt of fatty acids)
• Neem Oil - derived from a tropical tree to repel pests and interrupt growth cycles, and kills larvae. Effective use on aphids, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, leaf miners, mealybugs, root weavils, and more.
• Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) - a bacteria used to control primarily caterpillar larvae.

Things To Consider

• Consult a local nursery when buying products
• Organic DOES NOT mean pesticide-free
• Neither “organic” nor “synthetic” pesticides are completely safe
• Read labels before applying
• Dispose of chemicals responsibly

What are some of the least-toxic methods you use to control pests in your yard?

Modern-Shed by Grey Design

This modern storage shed is just one of 5 models by Grey Design. This is the most stylish shed I have come across on the web and you have a choice of eco-friendly building materials. The Garden Shed is great for storing bikes, lawnmowers, and other garden necessities.

Visit Modern-Shed for a list of materials, different models, shipping, customer photos, and more.

Food Map Container by Food Map Design

This Food Map Container is a stylish way to grow veggies, or any plant for that matter, on small patios. The rubber-caster wheels allow for easy positioning to optimize growing conditions as the weather changes. The container is made from 100% post-consumer High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and the powder-coated frame is made from 40-100% recycled steel.

Shop Food Map Design for more sizes from $205

Prevention is key to stop the spread of bird diseases to humans and other birds. Backyard bird feeding has been a favorite pastime for many homeowners. However, birds can carry various diseases that can be passed along to other birds and sometimes to humans through their saliva and feces. >>What To Do If You See A Sick Bird

Birds can become sick after eating leftover feed that has become moldy and from bird poop that piles up around the feeder. Promote a healthy feeding environment for birds, and you for that matter, by routinely cleaning your feeders. >>About Birds and Bird Feeding

Feeder Care

• Clean feeders once every 2 weeks or more often if you have heavy traffic.
• Wash your feeders thoroughly in soapy water then soak or rinse in a solution of 1 parts bleach to 9 parts water.
• Completely dry before refilling with bird seed.
• Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days when you refill the nectar.
• Remove any excess seed that accumulates on the ground below the feeder.

Birds play an important role in ecological balance by propogating plant life and controlling insects. A healthy population is vital in maintaining other natural resources. Whether you live in urban, suburban, or rural areas, there are birds that need your help. >>Getting Started: What You Can Do

More Safe Feeding Resources

• Safe Bird Feeding
• Is Backyard Bird Feeding Helping or Hurting?
• National Wildlife Health Center
• Feeder Placement and Landscaping

Attracting birds to your backyard is not only fun for birdwatching but can also serve as natural pest control. Spring is a time when migrating birds return to our yards to enjoy the warm weather. However, so do the many unwanted pests that prey on the new growth of our precious plants. Don’t get me wrong, not all bugs are bad. Actually, 95% of all insects are beneficial or harmless to people. So keep the insecticides on the shelf and reach for the birdseed instead (see also Other Bird Foods).

Insect-eating Birds

Most birds that visit your feeders are not interested in eating seed, but rather the live insects and other cold-blooded vertebrates that are flooding your yard come spring. Remember, not all insects are bad so get rid of that ugly bug-zapper and let nature do its thing.

• Crawling insects: Blackbirds, bluebirds, sparrows, crows, wrens, cardinals, bobolinks, and more
• Tree catepillars: Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, warblers
• Flying insects: swallows, nighthawks, flycatchers, warblers, swifts, Cedar Waxwings
• Tree-Crevice insects: chickadees, nuthatches, creepers, woodpeckers, Black-and-white warbler
• >>More on insect-eating birds

If you don’t already have birds flocking to your yard to gobble up those pesky grubs and aphids, then take a little time understand what attracts certain birds to your area. The basics to providing a healthy habitat for your feathered friends includes food, water, shelter, and a place to nest. >>More on bird basics

Other Bird Foods

• Suet cakes for western bluebirds, chickadees, jays, towhees, warblers, and more. Since suet can be quite messy, but commercial cakes are mainly convenient for humans, not so simple for the birds. Buy cakes that contain ingredients that are easy for birds to eat and avoid the slippery, fat-covered seeds that are hard to crack. >>More tips and how-to recipe
• Hang a pine cone covered with peanut butter outside a window for woodpeckers, chickadees, and titmice. PB is best served during cooler weather and be sure to only use small amounts. Imagine trying to swallow a PB & J without a glass of milk! >>More on peanut butter
• Halved fruits like oranges, berries, bananas, cherries, etc for orioles and tanagers. Chop up and soak raisins and currants for mockingbirds, catbirds, wrens, and thrashers.

Other Bird Topics of Interest

• Top Flowers For Birds
• Pests and Problems in Your Garden
• Backyard Bird Food Chart
• Birdseed Types
• Feeders For the Yardless

Retro Bullet Planters by Hip Haven

Shop Grounded $144.99

16 inch Jardiniere Pots by Bauer Pottery Company

Shop more colors Bauer Potter Co. $220

White Ceramic Midori Planters

Shop Sprout Home $20.65 small $64.00 Large

22″ Aqua Oil Jar

Shop various sizes & colors Bauer Pottery $132-$550

Faux Cement Planters

Shop Smith & Hawken $69 small $119 Lg

What do you do when you desire the architectural rosettes of Agave but live in the Northwest? Substitute Agaves for the sword-shaped leaves of ERYNGIUM Agavifolium (Agave-leaf Sea Holly).

Potted arrangements are an alternative, but containers have their own maintenance requirements, like over-winterizing, routine watering, and not to mention expensive.

Agaves are not native to the Northwest and don’t like our cold, wet winters. Introducing non-native, non-hardy plants to your borders can become hosts for unwanted pests and disease. Who wants to work that hard? Look for cold-hardy plants that have the same characteristics of the plants you love and save you, and your plants, a lot of hardship.

• More Sea Holly info and photos at www.greatplantpicks.org

• Cold hardy Agaves at High Country Gardens

I finally emptied my camera’s storage card to take some pics of our yard. We went from winter to summer in 24 hours. Two days ago there was frost on the roof, and yesterday a toasty 84°F.

Click the links for plant information and mature plant photos

EUPHORBIAS are sporting their new chartreuse blooms. Just to the left of Bob, our garden Buddha, you can see IMPERATA cylindrica ‘Rubra’ (Japanese Blood Grass) starting to sprout up. We plan to plant Bamboo in the galvanized containers this spring to hide the ugly gray fence. I leveled the containers. The fence is just that crooked. NASSELLA tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) is the transition to our xeriscape garden. The bamboo poles mark the, barely visible, ECHINACEA purpurea (Coneflower).

Sprouting here is ASTILBE (False Spirea). I think this one has pink plumes. Just out of the picture, we have another variety that has white plumes.

I tried to focus in on the flower bud of our ALLIUM tuberosum (Garlic Chives). These plants doubled in size since last year.

TIP: When planted close to Chives, carrots will tend to grow larger

This area is located in the complete opposite end of the yard. The fence is part of the dog run I built a couple of years ago.

A. Neighbor’s Bamboo B. ACER circinatum (Vine Maple) C. RUDBECKIA hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) D. Japanese Iris E. SPIREA ‘Goldflame’ F. NANDINA domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)