This document summarizes a presentation on using unusual annual wildflowers in home gardens. It discusses two California native wildflowers - Turkish rugging (Chorizanthe stacticoides) and desert candle (Caulanthus inflatus) - describing their appearance, growing requirements, and potential uses in gardens. It also draws lessons from the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa on highlighting unique native plants and using colorful flowers effectively to inspire more sophisticated California native gardens.

1. 1/4/2014
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Accent on Annuals: some of
our more unusual annual
wildflowers
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County
Project SOUND – 2014 (our
10th
January 4 & 7, 2014
year)
© Project SOUND
What do you think of when you picture a
wildflower garden?
© Project SOUND
Many of us have a hard time envisioning
wildflowers in our gardens
http://www.theodorepayne.org/history/seedspmix2a.jpg
http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
1

2. 1/4/2014
It’s time for the California native gardening
tradition to take the next step…
2014: Bringing Nature Home - Lessons
from Gardening Traditions Worldwide
… become more
sophisticated
http://mostbeautifulgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/simplesofisticated-backyard-garden.jpg
© Project SOUND
http://acharlottegarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/california-native-plant-garden-at-san.html
Bringing Nature Home: Mother Nature +
the art of gardening (gardening ‘secrets’)
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
The ‘essence’ of Japanese gardening is
to capture the ‘spirit’ of the natural world
in which we live - and bring it home
© Project SOUND
2

3. 1/4/2014
Wildflower gardens should reflect (but not
necessarily recreate) their natural context
Beautiful, authentic
gardens begin with nature
 First we need to develop
a deep understanding of
the natural landscape
http://sequoiariverlands.wordpress.com/category/native-plants/
 Then we must determine
the ‘essence’ of what
makes our California
landscape unique
 Only then can we apply
traditional principles for
‘bringing nature home’
http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/
http://www.moprairie.org/placemarks/coyne-prairie-dade-county/
http://www.laspilitas.com/easy/easywildflower.htm
© Project SOUND
We’ve focused on local prairie/pool plants
used in local gardens
http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/category/tags/san-diego-native-landscaping?page=3
© Project SOUND
Turkish rugging – Chorizanthe stacticoides
 Camissonia species (Suncups)
 Clarkia purpurea (Purple Clarkia)
 Collinsia heterophylla (Chinese
Houses)
 Gilia tricolor (Birds-eye Gilia)
 Lasthenia californica (Goldfields)
 Layia platyglossa (Tidytips)
 Lupines (Lupinus bicolor; L.
succulentis)
 Annual Salvias
http://www.speciesphoto.com/images/sjwa/2004_03_09/DSCN0009.html
Today we’ll venture further afield in
search of annual wildflowers for the
home garden
© Project SOUND
©2009 Thomas Stoughton
© Project SOUND
3

4. 1/4/2014
Size depends on conditions
Turkish rugging – Chorizanthe stacticoides
 Size:
 Foothills/mountains of the Coast
Ranges from Monterey County
southward into San Bernardino,
Riverside, and Orange counties.
 Another series of populations on
Santa Catalina Island and along
the coast (L.A. Co.) and
immediately adjacent foothills in
Orange and San Diego counties


 Growth form:


©2009 Robert Steers
Herbaceous annual wildflower
Form typical for annuals in
buckwheat family:
 Erect or spreading
 Foliage:
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=19357
Sandy to gravelly or rocky
places, coastal scrub, mixed
grassland, chaparral, pine-oak
woodlands, 1000-4000 ft
elevation
1 ft tall
1-5 ft wide (spreads with
water)
 In LA. County: Catalina Isl.;
Malibu Lake; ‘Inglewood Hills’;
Santa Monica, San Gabriel, Santa
Susanna & Verdugo Mtns



 Highly variable
©2003 Michael Charters

Mostly in basal rosette
Spatulate leaves; often hairy
Leaves dry up at time of
flowering; nice colors
Infusion of entire plant used
as lotion for pimples
© Project SOUND
Flowers: pinks
 Blooms: depends on rains; April-July
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements
 Flowers:



©2009 Thomas Stoughton

 Soils:
 Texture: well-drained best
 pH: any local
 Light: full sun to light shade
Pink (medium to bright), lavender
Many small flowers in loose or
dense clusters – flat spray
Involucres (series of bracts
beneath flowers) & petals colored
Combination of colored leaves,
bracts, flowers gives multicolored
effect – ‘Turkish rugging’
 Water:
 Winter: soils need to be
moist through growth season
 Summer: taper off once
flower buds begin to form
 Fertilizer: none needed - likes
poor soils; low dose if fine
 Other: no mulch or gravel mulch
for best reseeding
©2005 Aaron Schusteff
©2009 Neal Kramer
http://www.smmflowers.org/bloom/species/Chorizanthe_staticoides.htm
© Project SOUND
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Polygonaceae/Chorizanthe%20staticoides.
htm
4

5. 1/4/2014
Turkish delight
CA Wildflower gardening basics

 Obtain seeds from a reputable CA
native plant source



 Plant seeds when winter rains begin
 For best growth & reseeding, plant in
bare ground or (better) use an
inorganic (gravel) mulch

©2011 Chris Winchell
Massed – on slopes or where can
be viewed from above
In a rock garden or dry stone wall
In containers
Combined with summer-dry
grasses
As spring groundcover around
local native shrubs
 Keep plants well-watered during
growing season – don’t hesitate to
supplement
 Taper off water when flowering starts
to wane
http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/polygonaceae/choriz
anthe/chorizanthe-staticoides/
 Let plants reseed naturally or collect
and store seed
© Project SOUND
* Desert Candle – Caulanthus inflatus
http://www.smmtc.org/plantofthemonth/plant_of_the_month_201306_Turkish_Rugging.php
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Polygonaceae/Chorizanthe%20staticoides.htm
© Project SOUND
* Desert Candle – Caulanthus inflatus
 Common, Mojave desert; Antelope
Valley; also in S. Sierra foothills,
foothills of Transverse Ranges
 Open, sandy plains and rocky slopes
between 2000' and 5000‘ in
Creosote Bush Scrub, Valley
Grassland, Joshua Tree Woodland
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2240,2371,2388
©2003 Mark Bratton
© Project SOUND
Jo-Ann Ordano © California Academy of Sciences.
©2010 Neal Kramer
© Project SOUND
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6. 1/4/2014
Desert candle: an unusual ‘Mustard’
Flowers: weird & wonderful
 Size:


 Blooms: in spring after rains; in
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
the wilds, Mar-May, in garden
probably Mar-Apr.
 Flowers:
 Growth form:




Herbaceous annual
Robust, upright habit
Stem is swollen and hollow
Young upper stems can be
cooked and eaten



Brassicaceae
 Foliage:


Flowers are small, very narrow
tubes & white
Flower bracts are white tipped
with maroon-purple
Flowers on short stalks around
the inflated stem – typical for

Large, coarse leaves, often
with toothed margins
Leaves clasp the stem
Overall appearance: a lit
‘candle’ – hence common name
 Seeds: in long ‘pod’ that splits
when dry, dropping seeds
Charles Webber © California Academ
y of Sciences
JoAnn Ordano © California Academy
of Sciences.
© Project SOUND
Caulanthus from seed
Desert foothills
 Known to have low germination
rates
 Texture: best with well-drained
– sandy, rocky – no heavy clays
 pH: any local incl. alkali
 Water:
 Winter: needs good soil
moisture Nov/Dec until Feb.
 Summer: taper off after
flowering commences
 Look to Mother Nature:
 How long are seeds in ground
in nature?
 What factors are they
exposed to? Heat? Cold?
Multiple rains? Fire/smoke?
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
 Other: need to plant in Nov/Dec.,
even if you have to water. More on
winter watering in our March talk –
‘Climate Change ‘
 More on this next month –
‘Botany for Gardeners’
© Project SOUND
 Soils:
 Light: full sun
 Usually means some pretreatment factor is needed
http://www.hazmac.biz/030421/030421CaulanthusInflatus.html
© Project SOUND
©2011 Aaron Schusteff
©2010 Neal Kramer
©2009 Shawn DeCew
© Project SOUND
6

7. 1/4/2014
Garden candles




©2005 Dieter Wilken
In a desert-themed garden
In a dry rock garden, with other
spring annuals
In a dry meadow planting, with
cool season grasses, S. CA
wildflowers
As an unusual pot plant – often the
unusual ones are the most fun
©2008 John Game
© Project SOUND
These are unusual wildflowers, but how
can I use them effectively in my garden?
©2009 Shawn DeCew
© Project SOUND
South Africa: much
in common with us
Let’s see what gardens from another,
similar climate can suggest
 Mediterranean climate
 Topography shaped by
plate tectonics
 High mountains
http://www.selftours.co.za/maps.htm
w. L.A. Co.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/south-africa
© Project SOUND
http://www.southafrica-travel.net/Medaia/Geomap.gif
http://www.calflora.net/southafrica/rainfall.html
© Project SOUND
7

8. 1/4/2014
Many well-known gardens in South Africa
 As here, botanic gardens are
often associated with universities
or large cities
 But some the most famous – and
oldest/youngest – are unique
 Combine aspects of botanic
gardens with nature preserves –
they are literally ‘gardens within
preserves’ – much like Rancho
Santa Ana Botanic Garden
North-West University Botanical Garden
© Project SOUND
South Africa: Biodiversity ‘hotspot’
http://www.friendsreunited.com/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-garden-cape-town/Memory/1c37c8a0-cb83-4625-8888-a127008a6e31
Biomes of South Africa
 South Africa is one of the most
biologically diverse countries in the
world, after Indonesia and Brazil.
 Occupies only about 2% of the
world's land area, but is home to
nearly: 10% of the world's plants; 7%
of the reptiles, birds and mammals
and 15% of known coastal marine
species.
© Project SOUND
savannah
Succulent karoo
Thicket
 9 biomes (unique vegetation
landscapes), 3 of which have been
declared global biodiversity hotspots.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_succotrina
Fynbos
© Project SOUND
Nama karoo
Grassland
© Project SOUND
http://www.ekapa.ioisa.org.za/biomes/intro.htm#2
8

9. 1/4/2014
South Africa’s National Botanic Gardens
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
 One of the world’s great
botanic gardens.
 9 National Botanical Gardens
 Now managed by the South African
National Biodiversity Institute
(SANBI).
 Location: against the eastern
slopes of Cape Town’s Table
Mountain.
 The focus is:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Africa-PretoriaNational_Botanical_Gardens03.jpg
 Growing and conserving South
Africa’s indigenous plants
http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/wc2010/city_guide/kirstenbosch.html
 Conserving natural vegetation and
associated biodiversity within their
boundaries
 Was the first botanic garden
in the world to be devoted to
a country's indigenous flora.
 Promoting and raising environmental
awareness in South Africa and
abroad.
http://justcallmegertie.wordpress.com/tag/hantam-national-botanical-garden/
 Established in 1913 to
promote, conserve and display
the rich and diverse flora of
southern Africa
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
http://ecoaffect.org/2012/07/25/4-out-of-8-worlds-most-amazing-botanical-gardens-areapga-members/
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
http://annabengan.blogspot.com/2012/07/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-garden.html
Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of the unique plant life
of the Cape Flora (the fynbos), as well as plants from all the
diverse regions of southern Africa.
© Project SOUND
Kirstenbosch is part of a nature reserve. The 36 hectare garden is part of
a 528 hectare (1300 acre) estate that contains protected mountainside
supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and
birds. The Kirstenbosch Estate borders the Table Mountain National Park.
© Project SOUND
9

10. 1/4/2014
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Lessons from the Kirstenbosch
30-60 inches of rain – more like N. CA coast
http://toptravellists.net/table-mountain-and-kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens-cape-town-south-africa.html
Kirstenbosch lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region. In 2004, the
Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
© Project SOUND
2. Using colorful flowers to best advantage
http://www.cape-town-tourism.za.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01300735.jpg
1) Importance of accenting unique native species
© Project SOUND
The ‘essence’ of sophisticated gardening
is to capture the ‘spirit’ of the natural
world in which we live - and bring it home
http://www.neverstoptraveling.com/south-africa-the-other-side-of-the-table-mountain
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
10

11. 1/4/2014
Bringing Nature Home
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/california-poppieslupines-rich-reid.jpg
Desert Candle in the Mojave Desert
 First we need to
develop a deep
understanding of the
natural landscape
 Then we must determine
the ‘essence’ of what
makes our California
landscape unique
 Only then can we apply
traditional principles for
‘bringing nature home’
© Project SOUND
Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=Print;f=8971047454;t=9991132727
Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
http://www.neverstoptraveling.com/south-africa-the-other-side-of-the-table-mountain
http://www.123rf.com/photo_16347008_kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens-in-cape-townsouth-africa.html
http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-nationalbotanical-gardens/
1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens/
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgibin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=Print;f=8971047454;t=9991132727
2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths,
drifts, instead of mixing many colors together
© Project SOUND
11

12. 1/4/2014
Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
http://blog.thomascook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/South-AfricaKirstenbosch-Botanical-Gardens.jpg
http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch
http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/blue_crowding_orange_at_kirstenbosch_flickr_pic_of_the_
day
http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens/
3. Plant densely: important both for aesthetics and
for plant reproduction
4. Carefully plan color
contrasts
http://www.activetravels.com/blog/userfiles/image/IMG_6737(2).jpg
http://tejonranch.com/wp-content/uploads/flower5.jpg
© Project SOUND
Douglas’ Meadowfoam – Limnanthes douglasii
http://www.em.ca/garden/ann_limnanthes_douglasii.html
© Project SOUND
* White Meadowfoam – Limnanthes alba
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
© Project SOUND
12

13. 1/4/2014
* White Meadowfoam – Limnanthes alba
White Meadowfoam: dainty spring forbe
 Vernal pools of Central Valley; also foothills
of N/Central Sierras
 Usually in seasonally moist, grassy places:
Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, Yellow
Pine Forest, wetland-riparian.
 Ssp. : Limnanthes alba ssp. alba; ? Ssp. gracilis; ?
 Size:


1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
 Growth form:


Ssp. parishii; Limnanthes alba ssp. versicolor
 ‘Limnanthes’ means ‘marsh flower’
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgibin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4945,4948,4949

Herbaceous annual
Erect or reclining habit; most
erect when massed
Stems slender; one or more from
base
 Foliage:


Medium green; sparse
Leaves finely dissected
 Roots:
©2013 Debra L. Cook
©2012 Jean Pawek

Shallow roots; easy to transplant
http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall01%20projects/sbee.htm
© Project SOUND
White flowers
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements
 Blooms:

Blooms as soils dry out;
usually Feb-April in S. CA
 Flowers:




Pure white with pale yellow
centers; may become pale
pink with age
5 petals have radiating veins
Light sweet scent
Attracts insect pollinators;
not self-fertile (pollen
released before female parts
are receptive) so need
multiple plants
 Seeds: grown and pressed to
 Soils:
 Texture: poorly draining soils in
nature; clays and others in
garden
 pH: any local
 Light: full sun
 Water:
©2012 Jean Pawek
 Winter: moist soils; supplement
as needed
 Summer: taper off water as
plants bloom
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
 Other: no mulch / gravel mulch for
best reseeding; will tolerate a thin
layer of organic mulch
produce ‘Meadowfoam oil’
©2011 Hattie Brown
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
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14. 1/4/2014
White wildflowers: contrast
The usefulness of white: contrast






©2012 Jean Pawek
http://www.plumjam.com/wildflowers/5-2013-Jenkinson/
http://blog.thomascook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/South-AfricaKirstenbosch-Botanical-Gardens.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8573032478_997b8c082b_z.jpg
© Project SOUND
http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/7/97/911/97911516_limnanthes_alba.jpg
Good companions
http://blog.anniesannuals.com/






Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Attractive pot plant; use a colored pot
for maximum effect
Massed – ‘sea of white’
Rain garden; dry swale
Edging pathways
With brightly colored wildflowers
In vegetable garden – attracts insect
pollinators & other beneficials; use
also as ‘green manure’
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/PublishingImages/lg/cons_profile_liflgr_plant.jpg
© Project SOUND
Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaurium)
muehlenbergii
Douglas’ meadowfoam (yellow)
Baby blue-eyes (blue)
Any of the Goldfields (yellow)
Ranunculus californicus (yellow)
Zeltnera/Centaureum (pink)
Linanthus spp. (pink)
©2009 Ron Wolf
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8573032478_997b8c082b_z.jpg
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
14

15. 1/4/2014
Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaurium)
The Gentian family: Gentianaceae
muehlenbergii


http://www.wildflowersearch.com/search?oldstate=gloc%
3Az%3Bbloom%3AIgnore%3Bname%3AZeltnera+muehl
enbergii
In CA: N. and Central coast;
foothills of N. CA

Moist areas in many
communities: Sagebrush Scrub,
Redwood Forest, Mixed
Evergreen Forest, Northern
Oak Woodland, Foothill
Woodland, Valley Grassland,
Northern Juniper Woodland
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4374,4375,4380

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
 Mostly herbaceous; some
shrubs
Western North America from
British Columbia to CA, NV
Previous names: Centaurium
muehlenbergii ; Centaurium
curvistamineum; Centaurium
floribundum
 Distribution – almost
world-wide, though some
species have very narrow
distribution
 Flowers:
http://www.infoescola.com/plantas/familia-gentianaceae/
 Uses:
 Garden flowers – many quite lovely
 Medicinal and flavoring plants
© Project SOUND
The ‘Centauries’: not 1 but 4 genera
© Project SOUND
Monterey Centaury
 Size:


 The new genus Zeltnera comprises
25 species mainly confined to
California, Mexico, and Texas.



Herbaceous annual
Slender, erect stems – usually
branching
Stems medium green, smooth
 Foliage:
 Schenkia comprises five species:
Asia, Eurasia, north Africa, and a
rare/endangered Hawaiian endemic.


 The genus Centaurium s.s. consists of
ca. 20 species of primarily
Mediterranean distribution.
© Project SOUND
1-3 ft tall (usually < 2)
1-3 ft wide (usually 1-2)
 Growth form:
 Gyrandra is a small genus with three
species restricted to some areas of
Mexico and Central America
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/canchalagua.html
 Bisexual; usually insect
pollinated
 Commonly bell-shaped,
in parts of 4 or 5
 Fruit: often capsule


©2004 Carol W. Witham
Medium to pale green
Leaves simple, opposite on
stem and rather sparse
Leaf shape: ovate
Infusion of plants used for
constipation by native peoples
© Project SOUND
15

16. 1/4/2014
Garden-pretty flowers
Plant Requirements
 Blooms: in spring; usually Apr-

 Flowers:




Full sun to light shade
 Water:
Bright pink (usual) to
medium pink with white
(yellow) centers
Funnel-shaped; 5-petals
Flowers in loose clusters,
mostly above the foliage
Very attractive;
 Winter: needs good soil
moisture
 Summer: OK with some
summer irrigation; withhold
after flowering ceases
 Fertilizer: none needed; some
fertilizer will be tolerated fine
 Seeds:
©2008 Neal Kramer
 Texture: any – rocky to clay
 pH: any local
 Light:
May in S. CA gardens

 Soils:
 Other: no deep organic mulches
Many small seeds in dry
capsules; re-seeds nicely
© Project SOUND
if you want it to re-seed.
http://dennismarelli.net/2009-06-22_1%20Gentian%20cropped.jpg
© Project SOUND
Garden uses for Centauries

Natural prairie with Ranunculus californicus,
Asclepias fascicularis, Sisyrinchium bellum
and N. CA grasses

Mass for clouds of magenta color along
pathways, near fences & walls

Under shrubs, including roses

Charming pot plants – either alone or in
combination
If your garden is a bit drier in summer
©2013 Margo Bors
© Project SOUND
http://www.santacruzmountainsecology.com/wp-content/uploads/Centaurium-muehlenbergiiMonterey-Centaury.jpg
http://www.scmta-trails.org/050605-wilder/050605-wilder-0031.jpg
© Project SOUND
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17. 1/4/2014
Charming Centaury – Zeltnera venusta
Charming Centaury – Zeltnera venusta
 Widespread in foothills and
coastal areas
 Locally on Catalina Island
 Santa Monica Mtns
 San Gabriel & Desert
mountains (foothills)
 ?other locally
 Relatively common on dry
slopes and flats to about
3000 ft. elevation in:




Coastal sage scrub
Chaparral
Grasslands
Foothill woodlands and
pine forests
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4374,4375,4382l
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Charming Centaury looks like an oldfashioned garden flower
 Size:
 6” to 2 ft tall

1 ft wide
 Growth form: annual wildflower
 Erect
 Simple, open branching stem
 Foliage:
 Gray-green to blue-green; fresh
looking
 Leaves simple, narrow to oblong
http://bfs.claremont.edu/biota/plants/centaurium.html
 Charming Centaury provides a surprising spot of
color among the drying grasses of summer
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
17

18. 1/4/2014
Flowers are fantastic
Charming Centaury does well in a waterwise garden
 Blooms:
 Soils:
 Late spring/summer
 usually May-July in our area
 Texture: any; well-drained
slightly preferred
 pH: any local
 Flowers:
 Light: full sun to light shade
 Color: range from bright
magenta to white
 Water:
 Five rose/magenta petals
white at the base with a yellow
throat; may or may not have
dark magenta spots
 Young plants: need good
spring soil moisture
 Summer: Zone 2 or 2-3 until
flowering; then Zone 1
 Anthers twist spirally after
their pollen has been
harvested
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/socal/cancha4.htm
 Fertilizer: none needed
© Project SOUND
Charming Centaury
in the garden
© Project SOUND
Native Californians valued Charming
Centaury as a medicine plant
 Use it, as in nature, in a natural
prairie with Lupines, Poppies,
Goldenrods and native grasses
 Tea from leaves or
flowers used for:
 Note: interbreeds with other
native Centauries – don’t plant if
these grow naturally near your
garden
 Reducing fevers
 Pneumonia
 Viral illnesses
 Mass for clouds of magenta color
in early summer
 Try it along pathways, near
fences & walls
 As always, native annuals make
great pot plants – either alone or
in combination
© Project SOUND
http://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/Ecosystem/FloraFauna/pics/Flora/Centaurium_ve
nustum.jpg
© Project SOUND
18

19. 1/4/2014
A burning question: to sow in pots or
directly into the ground

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
Charming Centaury seeds:
 Many small seeds in dry, papery capsule
 Easy to collect – just tap capsules to shake
seeds into envelope or box

Advantages of starting annuals in pots:
 Protection from bird predation
 May be able to start earlier – give added
warmth
 Less seed waste; easier to control seedling
rates, especially for smaller seeds
 Easier to control soil water for delicate
seedlings
http://www.hazmac.biz/050829/050829CentauriumVenustum.html

Disadvantages:
 Potential to disturb roots with
transplanting
 More work: have to transplant
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/502812779_aa75744cda.jpg
1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family
2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths or
drifts, instead of mixing many colors together
3. Plant densely
4. Carefully plan color contrasts
© Project SOUND
Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch
© Project SOUND
* Large-flower Linanthus – Leptosiphon (Linanthus)
grandiflorus
1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family
2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths, instead of
mixing many colors together
3. Plant densely
4. Carefully plan color contrasts
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
19

20. 1/4/2014
* Large-flower Linanthus – Leptosiphon (Linanthus)
Large-flowers, small plant
grandiflorus
 Size:
 N. and Central CA coast – Santa
Barbara Co north
 Full extend of distribution unclear –
many populations extirpated
 AKA ‘Mountain Phlox’ – nursery trade


1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
 Growth form:


http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Linanthus grandiflorus


Herbaceous annual wildflower
Mounded form along coast; may be
more upright in garden
Stems hairy, branched above
Usually forms dense colonies
 Foliage:



http://www.bayesianinvestor.com/pix/2010/hikes2010may.html
©2003 Michael Charters
© Project SOUND
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
Flowers: phlox lovely
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements
 Blooms: in late spring, usually Apr-July
in western L.A. county



 Soils:
 Texture: well-drained best;
sandy in nature
 pH: any local
 Light:
 Flowers:
©2009 Barry Breckling
Leaves unusual; narrowly divided
Leaves in whorls around stem; at
intervals
Foliage is quite sparse
 Full sun to part-shade; dappled
sun fine
Pink and white; often central are is
white, pink outer
Five fused petals; open funnel-form
Sweetly scented – attract native
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
 Water:
 Winter: needs moist soils –
supplement if needed
 Summer: keep plants blooming
with occasional summer water –
Water Zone 2
 Seeds: easy to grow
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
but will tolerate weak fertilizer
 Other: gravel mulch or none is
©2009 Barry Breckling
©2013 John Doyen
© Project SOUND
best; thin organic mulch OK
© Project SOUND
20

21. 1/4/2014
Using Linanthus




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptosiphon_grandiflorus

The gardens of Cordoba, Spain
Excellent container plant – alone or
with other annuals
In part-shade under trees;
naturalizes well
With N. coastal grasses for a
northern prairie
Must have for: scented garden;
pollinator garden
Vegetable garden; under fruit trees
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Bridge,_C%C3%B3rdoba,_Espana.jpg
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/spain/map_of_spain.jpg
http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2009/10/linanthus-grandiflorus/
© Project SOUND
The climate of Corboda: hot and dry
© Project SOUND
Cordoba is well known for its patio gardens
http://www.spainisculture.com/export/sites/cultura/multimedia/galerias/monumentos/palacio_vian
a_cordoba_t1400131.jpg_1306973099.jpg
http://www.rosstours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/RP-Cordoba-courtyard-1_final.jpg
http://www.inlandandalucia.com/CordobaInfo.aspx
Gardens reflect the climate – and Moorish and Roman
gardening traditions
© Project SOUND
http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/1467585-bigthumbnail.jpg
http://www.piccavey.com/cordoba-patios-palacio-viana/ Project SOUND
©
21

22. 1/4/2014
Cordoba’s spring garden contest…
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
http://zeitgeistinapetiole.wordpress.com/category/plants/
… over the top color
http://lincolnbrody.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/a-weekend-incordoba/
http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/the-crosses-of-may-come-to-cordoba.php
1. Use containers to provide seasonal color
© Project SOUND
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
© Project SOUND
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
http://www.rosstours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/RP-Cordoba-courtyard-1_final.jpg
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/greathomesanddestinations/patios-as-a-competitive-sport-itmust-be-cordoba.html?_r=0
http://lincolnbrody.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/a-weekend-incordoba/
http://nature.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/1448746/
3. Use hardscape to provide additional color,
contrast
2. Limit the color palette
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
22

23. 1/4/2014
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
* Red Ribbons – Clarkia concinna
4. Choose colors that support your aim: hot, exciting
brights or cool, soothing pastels
Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
* Red Ribbons – Clarkia concinna
Red Ribbons: Clarkia characteristics
 Endemic to California - low-elevation
mountains/foothills of the N. CA
 Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak
Woodland, Douglas-Fir Forest, CSS – sea
level to 4000 ft or so
 Three sub-species: ssp. automixa; ssp.
concinna; ssp. raichei
 Size:
 1-2 ft tall
 1-2 ft wide
 Growth form:



http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5358
Herbaceous annual
Upright habit
Slender appearance
 Foliage:


© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLCO
© Project SOUND
©2009 Terry Dye
Medium green; sometimes
red-tinged
Leaves more rounded than
other clarkia
© Project SOUND
23

24. 1/4/2014
Flowers: very showy
Plant Requirements
 Blooms:

Spring or early summer; April to
June or July (like elegant
Clarkia)

Magenta or pink
Petals are deeply lobed – quite
unusual for a Clarkia
 Sepals are thin, dark – like ‘red
ribbons’
 Super pretty and unique; and
dependable like all Clarkias


©2008 Doreen L. Smith
 Seeds:


© Project SOUND
Brighten up your shade






Best in part-shade: dappled
sun, high shade under trees,
morning sun.
 Water:
 Winter: adequate for young
seedlings
 Summer: taper off when
flowering wanes
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Many small seeds in capsule
Harvest flowering stems, invert
in paper bag and let dry
©2008 Ron Wolf
 Texture: just about any;
well-drained best
 pH: any local
 Light:
 Flowers:
©2012 Jason Matthias
Mills
 Soils:
 Other: gravel mulch promotes
re-seeding
© Project SOUND
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
For a brilliant show under trees
Mid-bed for shady mixed beds
Color bowls on shady porches
Hanging baskets
Seeds are edible – parch
Attracts hummingbirds!
©2006 Matt Below
http://heynatives.blogspot.com/2010/01/waiting-for-wildflowers.html
http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html
http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
1. Use containers to provide seasonal color
2. Limit the color palette
©2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
24

25. 1/4/2014
4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens
* Mountain Collomia/Large-flowered Phlox
Collomia grandiflora
http://www.piccavey.com/cordoba-patios-palacio-viana/
http://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/2012/
07/some-other-things-flowering-in-garden.html
3. Use hardscape to provide additional color, contrast
4. Choose colors that support your aim: hot brights or
cool, refeshing pastels
©2005 Victoria Marshall
© Project SOUND
* Mountain Collomia/Large-flowered Phlox
© Project SOUND
Mountain Collomia: simple herbaceous plant
Collomia grandiflora
 Size:


 Western N. America, including
foothills and Mtns of CA (west of
Sierras)
 Locally: San Gabriel & Liebre mtns
 Known in nursery trade as ‘Largeflowered Phlox’; AKA ‘Grand
Collomia’
1-3 ft tall
1 ft wide
 Growth form:



Herbaceous annual
Upright habit; robust stem may be
branched at top
Stem usually hairy & may be red
 Foliage:
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5654,5662,5664



©2006 Steven Thorsted
©2013 Jean Pawek
© Project SOUND
©2009 Gary A. Monroe
Leaves medium green; lance-shaped
or linear
Simple, alternate
Infusion of leaves/stalks taken for
constipation and to "clean out your
system.".
 Roots: long taproot
© Project SOUND
http://www.yosemitehikes.com/wildflowers/large-flowered-collomia/gallerly-leaf.htm
25

26. 1/4/2014
Flowers: wonderful!
Plant Requirements
 Texture: most
 pH: any local
 Blooms: in late spring – usually
 Light:
April to May or even June
 Full sun to part-shade
[some shade is better in
many gardens]
 Flowers:


©2006 Steven Thorsted
Shades of salmon orange
Flowers trumpet-shaped
with 5 petals
 Water:
 Winter: needs moist soil
 Summer: let plants dry out
to promote flowering and
seed production
 Flowers in dense to loose
cluster at top of stem
 Distinctive blue pollen
 Seeds:


 Soils:
 Fertilizer: none needed. Fine
Fruit a dry capsule with
sticky seeds
Re-seeds well - Invasive in
Middle East, Mediterranean
with poor soils, but will grow
bigger with a little fertilizer
 Other: no mulch or gravel mulch
© Project SOUND
Large-flower phlox



Excellent addition to mixed
flower bed – nice color
In a ‘meadow’ with local mountain
grasses, annuals
As an attractive container plant; a
lovely soft combination with
white-flowered annuals
© Project SOUND
We’ve come to the end of our ‘accent on
annuals’
©2012 Steven Perry
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.a
sp?prodid=249
©2009 Barry Breckling
© Clayton J. Antieau
© 2008, G. D. Carr
http://www.scmta-trails.org/050605-wilder/050605-wilder-0031.jpg
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
26

27. 1/4/2014
We’ve ‘visited’ some interesting gardens
Lessons from some great mediterranean
climate gardens
1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family
2. Choose colors that support your aim: hot brights or cool
pastels
3. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths or
clumps, instead of mixing many colors together
4. Plant densely – in pots of in the ground
5. Carefully plan color contrasts – including contrasts with
hardscape
6. Use containers to provide seasonal color
7. Use hardscape to provide additional color, contrast
http://www.pinterest.com/jlviles/porches-patios/
http://www.jasonelk.com/2013/01/its-a-beautiful-day-at-harold-porter-botanicalgarden-in-bettys-bay/
© Project SOUND
What do you think of when you picture a
wildflower garden?
http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/
http://tejonranch.com/wp-content/uploads/flower5.jpg
http://californianativegardendesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/sowing-california-nativewildflowers.html
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
It’s not too late to plant some annual
wildflowers
© Project SOUND
27

28. 1/4/2014
The annual wildflowers are a bit slow this year
Come next month for ‘Botany for
Gardeners’
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
28