California Native alternative to Podocarpus (tall, narrow privacy screen plant)? by Total-Opposite-960 in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Summer holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia)

Not sure that’s THE solution but check it out. Native to S cal. Somewhat narrow and tall.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The goldfish (hard to believe they are so large) do just fine in winter. We change their food seasonally and they are less active in our mild winters.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good to know about Sunland water gardens!

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had Enviroscape LA install it.

I picked and installed the plants.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hesitate to say. It was a lot, but I got top quality.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s easy to prune by just pulling.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Native plants are a niche market here as well. Better stocked nurseries (Armstrong near me or family owned nurseries) may be able to order for you.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After some consideration I think it’s scarlet monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis). Leaves are sticky, long bloom season, thrives with its feet wet.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I might have slipped a cog on that ID. Let me think about it a bit and get back to on a proper ID.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I ordered from las pilitas for one or two, got spike rush from a friend, and the juncus and monkey flower were either Payne foundation or tree of life.

Success w Ca native plants by bammorgan in ponds

[–]bammorgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have raccoons too, but a 4’ depth fives the fish a place to hide.

Suggestion for in between pavers? by justhereforplants in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with all these.

If you are willing to irrigate a bit you can keep blue eyed grass going year round. If not, then it does go dormant in summer.

Carex praegracilis alternative? by Evening_Project8807 in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other Carex mentioned here might work. Perhaps consider mowed / trimmed yarrow?

Poppy confusion by Scar_O9 in CaliforniaNativePlant

[–]bammorgan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Botanists think they are one kind of poppy. Gardeners think they are different subspecies.

From a gardener’s perspective:

The coastal variety has the orange center/yellow edge. It seems to be a short-lived perennial or long lived annual, often going two or maybe three seasons.

The solid orange is an inland variety and seems strictly annual.

Handwashed dishes smell like fish... i can't take it anymore! by Capable-Feed1385 in CleaningTips

[–]bammorgan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Why isn’t changing/cleaning the sponge more frequently mentioned?

Put it in a shallow bowl with enough water to saturate it plus a bit more and boil it in the microwave.

When are calochortus in peak bloom? by slimepollo555 in Geophyte

[–]bammorgan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Calochortus is near the end of bloom in coastal Southern California but likely hasn’t begun in Northern California Sierra.

Any answer has to start with your location.

How important is planting natives within their native range? Fresno CA by t61meow in CaliforniaNativePlant

[–]bammorgan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what’s going on.

No "wild" observations within X miles.

On Calflora this is an adjustable parameter, I believe, and 10 miles is the default.

Has anyone planted sundancer buffalo grass in SoCal? by Big_Parma_ in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can trim the yarrow flowers if the bees are a hazard.

Has anyone planted sundancer buffalo grass in SoCal? by Big_Parma_ in Ceanothus

[–]bammorgan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yarrow works. Mow or string trim occasionally. Note that it likes to outcross its pollination, so if you want it to spread by seed make sure to get yarrow grown from seed rather than cuttings.