...a quarterly newsletter published by the University of California Cooperative
Extension and the UC Master Gardeners of Placer and Nevada Counties
Common poisonous Gay Wilhelm
plants in the garden Placer County
Master Gardener
Poisonous plants can be defined using poisonous plants for and the older plant are
as a plant possessing a property hunting, like the example of poisonous while very young
that is injurious to people or strychnine from Strychnos nux- shoots have been cultivated and
animals. Plants may be vomica, strychnine tree. cooked as a green vegetable
poisonous to the (that is not a recommendation!).
touch like poison Pyrethrum from
oak or orally toxic Chrysanthemum coccineum is As you can see poisonous
like Conium used as an insecticide. plants are actually a very difficult
maculatum, Poisonous plants may also have subject. Toxicologists have
hemlock was to only certain parts that are toxic. studied the subject for years in
Socrates. Rhubarb, Rheum cultorum, more depth and with more
leaves are poisonous while the expertise than Master
Many poisonous plants have leafstock is not. Pokeweed, Gardeners.
medicinal uses in controlled Phytolacca americana, is an
doses. Another historical use is example of timing. Pokeberries The first question is who ingests
the poison? Is the plant
BUDGET NEWS from the County Director, Roger Ingram: ingested by a child, an adult, pet
or livestock? Each must be
UC Cooperative Extension is not immune to the economic downturn treated differently. How much of
that many of you struggle with on a daily basis. The budget has been the plant has been ingested?
drastically cut. Given the tight budget situation, we must constantly Was it a root, leaf or a flower?
seek ways to reduce costs. If you have regularly been receiving a print
copy of the Curious Gardener, we would like you to convert to re- Continued on page 2
ceiving the newsletter via email. The email would contain a link to
get the newsletter at our website. If you have an email address, you
can go to the website (see bottom of page)and subscribe to the Curi- Inside
ous Gardener for email delivery. We will be happy to subscribe for you
if you find that inconvenient. Please contact Kate Micheels at 530-273- Hardwood Cuttings 3
4563 or cenevada@ucdavis.edu
Bulletin Board 5
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Plants for Winter Interest 6
PLACER COUNTY NEVADA COUNTY
11477 E Avenue  Auburn, CA 95603 255 So Auburn  Grass Valley, CA 95945 Nev Co MG Fall Plant Sale 7
(530) 889-7385 (530) 273-4563
E-Mail: ceplacer@ucdavis.edu E-Mail: cenevada@ucdavis.edu Underground Aliens 8
WEBSITE: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu Calendar of Events 9

THE CURIOUS GARDENER
Continued from page 1 Daphne odorata, Daphne Nerium oleander, Oleander
Plant identification at this point
is critical. In some plants, The berries are poisonous to The poison can cause irregular
different parts have a different cats, dogs and humans. heartbeats, strengthening of the
toxicity level. Maybe the plant force of cardiac contractions,
itself isn’t toxic but has been Delphinium spp., Delphiniums causing convulsions and death.
sprayed with an herbicide or and Larkspurs It can affect humans as well as
pesticide. The questions are dogs, horses, goats, and sheep.
numerous and can only be All parts are poisonous to cattle,
answered by a professional. humans and goats. Nicotiana Spp., Flowering
Tobacco
If there is any doubt, do not Dicentra spp., Bleeding Heart
hesitate to call The leaves carry nicotine that
Poison Control All parts are toxic to cats, cattle affects swine as well as
(800-222-1222) or your and humans. humans.
local veterinarian.
Digitalis purpurea, Foxglove Phytolacca americana,
Pokeweed, Thornapple
This is a list of common Used as a cardiac
poisonous plants. It is an drug in controlled The raw berries and roots have
incomplete list. Just because a amounts, leaves caused deaths of children,
plant is not listed does not mean are toxic to adults, swine and horses.
a plant is not poisonous. humans. Flowers
and seeds also Wisteria spp., Wisteria vine
Ingestion of any plant can cause toxic. Cats, dogs, and horses
mild or dire complications. It is can be affected. Leaves, seeds and all flowers
always best to investigate are toxic to humans.
thoroughly.
Iris spp., Iris Any ingestion of an unknown
Brugmansia spp., or „Angels’ plant by an animal or a human
Trumpet’ Rhizomes and bears investigation. “Better
rootstocks are safe than sorry” bears
All parts are poisonous to poisonous to cattle, repeating when it comes to
humans and pets, often proving swine and humans. poisonous plants.
fatal. Scopalamine and
atropine, drugs used in hospitals
have similar components. Lantana camara, Lantana
References:
Datura spp., or Jimsonweed,
Unripe berries can cause
Devil’s Trumpet Cornell University, Poisonous
lethargy, weakness and collapse
of the circulatory system for Plant Database:
Flowers, leaves cats, dogs, goats, cattle, sheep ansci.cornell.edu/plants
and seeds are and humans.
poisonous to ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-
cattle, human, care/poison-control/plants
goats and
horses.
Page 2
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

FALL 2009
Zoe Robison
Hardwood Cuttings Nevada County
Master Gardener
I t is close to the time to take
hardwood cuttings from
deciduous ornamental woody
bypass pruners, plastic nursery
pots, a moist mixture of one
part sphagnum peat moss to
mallet and heels are for older
and more difficult to root plants.
shrubs. From leaf-fall to late three parts horticultural grade Cut your selected stems back
winter is the proper time for this perlite, and rooting hormone. to the point from which they
type of propagation and the arose so you don’t disfigure
procedure to be described here #1 gallon pots for long cuttings your plant in your zeal to
is perfect for your first attempt and 4" square pots or 8" bulb propagate it. Now, cut and
at rooting stem cuttings. pots for shorter cuttings are discard the thinner tips of the
usual, but anything sanitized chosen stems - only the stems
Compared to working with and with good drainage will of average width for the plant
softwood and greenwood work. chosen will have enough
cuttings, taken respectively in carbohydrate to carry the
the spring and late summer, As to the media, other cutting through the winter.
this is much easier in that it combinations of sand,
requires no special equipment vermiculite, perlite, and peat The length of the cuttings you
and comparatively little care. are possible but this media is now take from these stems is
simple and works well in most determined by the length of
Hydrangea, rose, forsythia, cases. A simple powder form of space between the nodes on
viburnum, spirea, red twig rooting hormone from your local the stem. The nodes are the
dogwood, weigela, barberry, fig, nursery is adequate for your slight bumps or notches on the
privet, and first tries at propagation. stem from which buds arise.
blueberry are Ideally, you want at least two
just some of Procedure nodes below the surface of
the good your media and two nodes
candidates for Right after leaf fall (optimal above the surface. You must
hardwood time) and on into late winter, have at least one above and
cuttings here in the milder select mature fully dormant one below with most plants.
areas of Placer and Nevada stems from the previous
counties. season’s growth. The wood The length of the cutting will
should be firm and not bend vary from 4" to 30" depending
When you decide which plants easily. on the species of plant involved
you plan to propagate, always and the purpose of the
select the healthiest and most There are three types of propagation (the 30" cutting
attractive specimens available hardwood stem cuttings- would be for preparing root
from which to take cuttings. You straight, mallet, and heel. stock for grating fruit trees).
are making genetic duplicates The straight Most cuttings will be around 8
and what you see is what you cutting is the to 10 “, unless the nodes are
get. most commonly really far apart, and a #1 gallon
used and that pot will suffice for these.
Materials procedure will
be described
Continued on page 4
You will need sharp, clean here. The
Page 3
WEB SITE: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu

THE CURIOUS GARDENER
Now, water the cuttings and
Continued from page 3 Here are some plants that
place outside where they are can be propagated by
Now, with your pots at hand protected from too much sun or hardwood cuttings:
filled to the brim with your harsh rain. Keep the cuttings
moistened media and a bit of slightly moist if the weather Abelia spp.
hormone spilled out onto a doesn’t cooperate and we have
clean piece of paper or small a dry late fall and winter. Berberis thunbergii,
dish nearby, make your first Japanese Barberry
cutting with a 45 degree angled In two months or so, check your
cut about 1/4 “ above the top cuttings by giving one a slight Camellia spp.
node, then count down to the tug to check for resistance that
fourth node and cut straight indicates root formation. If the Ceanothus spp.,
across just below this bottom cutting pulls right out then re- California Lilac
node. stick it and check again in a few
weeks. Deutzia spp.
The 45 degree angle will
remind you what is the top Some species take four or even Euonymus spp.
portion of the stem. Polarity is more months to form roots. If
critical in that a cutting placed there is good resistance, Forsythia spp.
upside down will not root. Next, carefully tease out the cutting to
just touch the bottom cut to the see if it has formed good Lonicera spp.
hormone powder and tap the vigorous roots. Once you are Honeysuckle
excess off - too much hormone assured of good root production,
is worse than none at all. Stick transplant your cuttings into pots Hydrangea spp.
the cutting a bit more than half with good potting soil.
way down into a labeled pot Philadelphus spp.
and repeat the process with the Don’t put your new plants in Mock Orange
rest of the cuttings, spacing pots that are either too big or too
them so they won’t be crowded small - suit the size of the Hibiscus syriacus
when the buds break. cutting and it’s root ball to the Rose of Sharon
size of it’s new temporary home.
Weigela spp.
Give hardwood cuttings a try
this year and you will be glad Salix spp.
you did. Willow
References: Ligustrunum spp.
California Master Gardener Handbook,
Privet
2002, ANR Publication 3382
Rhododendron spp.
It is never a good idea to have Plant Propagation ,The Royal
Horicultural Society, Philip McMillan Viburnum spp.
more than one species per pot,
Browse, 1999
and it always a good idea to Taxus spp.
keep records of what, when, The Complete Book of Plant Yew
and how for future use. Propagation , Graham Clarke and Alan
Toogood, 1990
Page 4
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

FALL 2009
BULLETIN BOARD
Sierra College
Community Education Courses Two Fall Plant Sales
at the UC Davis Arboretum
 Art of Bonsai—October 10,
9am to Noon, Matsuda’s Nursery Saturday, October 3
Members: 9am-11am
 Landscape Design –Let’s Get Public: 11am-1pm
Started, October 10, 9am to Noon,
Nevada County campus Saturday, October 17
Public sale only: 9am-1pm
 Permaculture, Garden and Soil
Preparation, October 17, 9am to http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/
4pm, Nevada County campus
 Irrigation Design for Rural
Property, November 14, 9am to
4pm, Rocklin campus REMEMBER:
 Water-Wise Landscaping, FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO
December 3, 6:30pm-8:30pm,
Campus Plaza Shopping Center
PLANT!!!
Register here: www.sccommed.org
The 2010 Placer County Gardeners Companion
Calendar is NOW AVAILABLE!!!
The theme for this wonderful calendar is
“Dollars and Sense Gardening” and contains
useful tips for gardening inexpensively.
The calendar is available at both UCCE offices in
Auburn and Grass Valley for $10.00.
Local nurseries around the counties also carry
and sell the calendar.
Page 5
WEB SITE: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu

THE CURIOUS GARDENER
Judith Myrick
Planting for winter Placer County
interest Master Gardener
I used to hate winter. Any day
that wasn’t warm and sunny
was a wasted opportunity to be
ranges in size up to 10 ft tall but encourages new branches and
is usually shorter. This abelia is twigs for winter display. Cornus
often in full bloom in January. stolonifera „Flaviramea‟
outdoors, planting, transplanting produces yellow twigs and
and enjoying the sight of Strawberry Tree, Arbutus branches. Another tree notable
hundreds of flowers and the unedo, is another broadleaf for its coral red twigs and
many shades of green a garden evergreen tree or shrub. It branches in winter is the Coral
provides. grows to 8-35 feet with equal Bark Maple, Acer palmatum
spread. It has red-brown „Sango Kaku‟.
Now, I’m older and wiser. I’m shredding bark, dark green red-
also willing to admit I need a stemmed leaves, clusters of In winter we can especially
break. I find myself looking small urn-shaped flowers, and appreciate the lovely bark of
forward to that time of year round red fruits that resemble Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia
when the garden rests and so strawberries. Both flowers and indica, as well as Lacebark Elm,
do I. I’ve learned, though, that fruits may appear at the same Ulmus parvifolia, and River
winter doesn’t have to be a time in fall and winter. Birch, Betula nigra. Not only is it
dreary time of year. Some a nice color, the bark of the
thoughtful plant selection can Boxwood, or Buxus, hybrids River Birch flakes and curls in
produce a winter landscape that hold their green color well cinnamon-colored sheets.
is beautiful and exciting. throughout winter. They are cold Paperbark Maple, Acer griseum,
-hardy, grow from 3-5 ft high, 3- is another tree that sheds its
There are many ways in which 4 ft wide and need little pruning. bark in long, thin sheets.
plants and trees can add
interest to the winter landscape. Mahonia aquifolium, or Oregon Not until its leaves have fallen
grape, is a bushy evergreen that can we appreciate the twisted
Evergreen conifers add color, grows to 6 ft high with a 5 ft branches of Harry Lauder’s
texture and architectural drama. spread. Scattered mature red Walking Stick, Corylus avellana
They vary in size, shape and in leaves remain throughout the ‘Contorta’. This deciduous shrub
the texture of their year. Leaves turn purple or can reach 8-10 ft tall and wide.
foliage. They may be bronze in winter. Yellow flowers
tall, shrubby or appear in late winter, followed Flowering Cherry, Prunus
weeping. They may by edible blue-black grape-like subhirtella „Autumnalis‟, is a 25-
have needle-type fruit. 30 ft tall tree with pinkish-white
foliage like pine, flowers that often appear during
spruce, fir or hemlock, In the leafless season, warm spells in January.
or have scale-like deciduous trees get a chance
foliage like juniper and to show off branch structure, For winter flowers, Camellia
arborvitae. bark patterns, and stem color. japonica tops the list. Choose
The branches of Cornus nuttallii, this 6-12 ft tall tree according to
In contrast to the conifers, there Pacific or Western dogwood, its bloom season, early, mid or
are broad-leafed evergreens grow in an attractive horizontal late.
like Mexican abelia, Abelia pattern. Cornus stolonifera,
floribunda, a shrub with a Redtwig dogwood, has bright Continued on page 7
graceful, arching habit. It red twigs. Severe pruning
Page 6
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

FALL 2009
Continued from page 6
Another winter-flowering vine is Closer to the ground are the
Witch hazel, Hamamelis Carolina Jessamine, Gelsemium perennials and bulbs that offer
intermedia, is a large deciduous sempervirens. Fragrant tubular colorful foliage and/or flowers in
shrub that flowers from yellow flowers appear in late winter.
December to March in shades of winter. Carolina Jessamine can
red, yellow or orange. be trained on a trellis or used as Violas and violets, primrose
a ground cover. (Primula), Iceland poppy
Daphne odora, or Winter (Papaver), Paludosum daisy
Daphne, is a demanding Colorful berries brighten the ( Chrysanthemum paludosum),
evergreen shrub with fragrant branches of many shrubs in and wallflower (Erysimum) are
pink flowers. Daphne needs winter. winter-flowering as are Winter
porous soil, excellent drainage, iris (Iris unguicularis),
some shade during the day, Metallic purple berry clusters Snowdrops (Galanthus), and
and little summer water. decorate the arching branches Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica).
of Callicarpa, or Beautyberry.
Don’t forget Forsythia, a
fountain-shaped shrub whose The bright red berries of
bare branches are covered in hollies ( Ilex species), REFERENCES:
yellow flowers beginning in Cotoneaster, Strawberry Tree
February. (Arbutus unedo), Heavenly Sunset Western Garden Book
Bamboo ( Nandina domestica),
Lovely yellow 1-inch flowers and Firethorn ( Pyracantha UC Davis Arboretum
appear January to March on cultivars), add welcome
Winter jasmine, Jasminum splashes of color to the winter
nudiflorum, a deciduous vine. landscape.
Nevada County Master Gardener
FALL PLANT SALE
Saturday, October 10
9am to Noon
California Native Plants, Perennials and Grasses
Garden Specialty items
WHERE: Nevada County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden
(on NID grounds, 1036 W. Main)
Page 7
WEB SITE: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu

THE CURIOUS GARDENER
Mary Gish
Underground aliens Nevada County
Master Gardener
H ave you noticed that some
of your ornamentals are
looking a little sad? Are your
There are a few measures to
control gophers. The most safe
and effective method is to set
is the most dependable method
of control. These traps are
specifically for moles and should
plants displaced in the yard fortraps. Secondly, baits can be not be confused with gopher
no apparent reason? used quite successfully. When traps. There are many other
Sometimes the evidence is right using bait to eliminate gophers, products on the market ranging
in front of you but sometimes it is crucial to locate the main from mothballs to whistling
you have to dig a little deeper.burrow with a probe. Baits bottles. None of these repellant
should be used with caution in methods have been scientifically
Gophers: there are five species living situations with children proven to be effective. Toxic
of the pocket gopher in and pets. baits are not effective due to the
California. They can range in insect diet of the mole. The use
length from 6 to 10 inches. Underground fencing is of wire mesh baskets and wire
Signs and symptoms of the commonly used to deter liners in the bottom of raised
presence of gophers gophers from attacking valuable beds are effective in eliminating
underground include mounds of ornamentals or trees. Hardwire plant damage.
fresh soil. The mounds are is commonly used in basket
formed as the gopher digs and form or underneath raised-bed So the key to identifying the
pushes the dirt to the surface. crop gardens to prevent species of your yard invasion is
Typically the mounds are penetration. Sometimes no the appearance of the mound
horseshoe shaped in control is needed because the (crescent shaped: gopher and
appearance. The entry hole is gopher population is self round mound: mole) and a
usually off to one side of the limiting. The natural predators visible or not visible tunneling.
mound and plugged. in the environment include owls, These yard pests are active all
snakes, cats, dogs and coyotes. year with the exception of very
Pocket gophers live in a system cold winter days.
of burrows that can cover up to While inspecting the yard and
2000 square feet. The burrows you see a more circular mound
are about 3 inches in diameter with a plugged hole in the
and 6 to 12 inches below the center, that is most likely the
surface. Gopher burrow habitat of the mole. A mole is a
systems are very sophisticated small insect eating mammal.
and consist of a series of Moles also live underground in a
tunnels and chambers that network of tunnels. The moles
serve a variety of purposes. burrow just below the surface
and the tunneling is oftentimes For more specific information on
Pocket gophers often invade visible in lawn areas and the management of these pests
yards and gardens and feed on gardens where plant material please go to the University of
garden crops, vines, shrubs and may be dislodged. California Integrated Pest
trees. They can also cause Management website:
cosmetic damage in the lawn Several means of control are www.ipm.ucdavis.edu
and to plastic water lines. available but there is no one
tried and true method. Trapping Happy hunting!
Page 8
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

FALL 2009
Fall 2009 CALENDAR
SATURDAYS, year round, 8 AM – Noon
Foothill Farmers‟ Market, Courthouse parking lot, Auburn
SATURDAYS, year round, 10 AM – Noon
“Master Gardeners & Friends” Radio Talk , KNCO Radio, 830 AM
October
Friday—Sunday, October 2,3, and 4 from 11am to 6pm at the Gold Country Fairgrounds:
Visit the Master Gardeners at the AUBURN HOME SHOW and ask your gardening questions!
Saturday, October 3 from 10am-Noon at Full Circle Demonstration Garden (Nev Co. ROOD Center)
Composting Basics
Saturday, October 10 from 9am-Noon at NC Master Gardener Garden (1036 W. Main, GV) :
FALL PLANT SALE
Saturday, October 17 from 10am-Noon at NC Master Gardener Garden (1036 W. Main, GV) :
Planting Cool Season Ornamental and Turfgrass
Saturday, October 17 from 10am-11am at Roseville Utility Exploration Center by Mahany Park::
Basic Composting
November
Saturday, November 7 from 10am-Noon at Full Circle Demonstration Garden (NC ROOD Center)
Composting Basics
Saturday, November 14 from 10am-Noon at NC Master Gardener Garden (1036 W. Main, GV) :
Ornamental Grasses
Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22 from 9am to 5pm at the Gold Country Fairgrounds:
Visit the Master Gardeners at the Mandarin Festival and ask your gardening questions!
Saturday, November 21 from 2pm-3:30pm at Roseville Utility Exploration Center by Mahany Park::
Selecting and Growing Fruit Trees
December
Saturday, December 5 from 10am-Noon at NC Master Gardener Garden (1036 W. Main, GV) :
Propagation
Page 9
WEB SITE: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu

THE CURIOUS GARDENER
PLACER-NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AUBURN, CA
11477 E AVENUE (BUILDING 306, DEWITT CENTER) PERMIT NO. 148
AUBURN, CA 95603
The Curious Gardener is published quarterly in January, March, June, and September.
Production Information Subscribing
The Curious Gardener is published quarterly by the University PLACER/NEVADA COUNTY RESIDENTS:
of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Placer Placer and Nevada County residents may receive
and Nevada Counties. The Curious Gardener by mail, free of charge.
County residents are encouraged to subscribe by
UCCE PLACER & NEVADA COUNTIES e-mail to save postage costs.
OUT-OF-COUNTY RESIDENTS:
Kevin Marini Mail subscription is $10.00 per year (by check
PROGRAM REP: HOME HORT AND COMPOSTNG EDUCATION payable to UC Regents) by mail, or free by e-mail
by contacting:
MASTER GARDENER COORDINATOR
530-889-7399 UCCE Placer County
11477 E Avenue (530) 889-7385
PEGGY BELTRAMO—PLACER MG LIZ REES—NEVADA CO. MG Auburn, CA 95603 E-Mail: ceplacer@ucdavis.edu
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University of California, United States Department of Agriculture, Placer and Nevada Counties Cooperating COOPERATIVE EXTENSION