Los Angeles lies in a semi-arid, coastal climate zone with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. This environment supports native plant communities like coastal sage scrub, among others, which includes drought-tolerant species such as California sagebrush, black sage, white sage and buckwheat.
Why native plants? If implemented correctly, native plants can boost the populations of hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and native bees, some of which are endangered. Yet, the coastal sage scrub plant community itself is endangered because of the vast urban sprawl of Los Angeles, which causes habitat loss. Incorporating native plant communities into household gardens can aid in restoring the natural ecosystem and increase the growth of native pollinators.
Roughly one-half of single-family residential water usage is allocated towards irrigation in Los Angeles. Incorporating drought-tolerant native plants can significantly reduce strain on water sources, such as the Colorado River, and help lower domestic water expenses. Another benefit is that, with less water allocated toward households, more can be directed toward agricultural use.
I hope my experiences as someone who is developing a native garden can serve as a guide and aid to your own garden. My main goal for this project is to promote native flora in my garden. This article covers how to establish these plants and support their growth once planted.
If you seek to do something similar, I hope I can inspire you. However, given that I am not an expert, I would also recommend additional research on the plants you decide on.
I chose these plants for the garden: Salvia Allen Chickering (Cleveland Sage), Salvia Apiana (white sage), and Salvia Point Sal (Purple Sage). The plants are shown in order from right to left. Additional Plants: Salvia Spathacea (Hummingbird Sage) and milkweed. See this link for more native plant information: https://www.laspilitas.com/wildlife/California_Bumble_bees.html.
All three plants are California natives, drought-tolerant, shrubby salvias that thrive in full sun, require fast-draining soil, and need minimal to no summer water once established, making them ideal for similar landscaping conditions.
If you are interested in growing your own native plant garden, Theodore Payne is a plant nursery that only sells California Native Flora. Their staff is knowledgeable about native species, so this nursery is perfect for those who are just starting their gardens or need assistance.
The nursery also has a wide selection of books pertaining to California gardening. If you are already familiar with native plants and know what to buy, a local nursery would suffice—keep in mind that their selection of native plants is typically smaller than Theodore Payne’s.
