Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes

1/7/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
A Hummingbird
Garden in Clay Soils

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with South Bay Native Plants May 2 & 5, 2009
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

American bird artist, John James Audubon, called California is a migratory route or year round residence for
hummingbirds "glittering garments of the rainbow." at least six members of the hummingbird family, more than
any other state in the U.S.

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Anna’s Hummingbird Allen’s Hummingbird
 Common in brushy woods, gardens & meadows
of coastal California
 Male highly aggressive and territorial. Hot-
tempered despite its diminutive stature, a
male Allen's Hummingbird will chase other
males from its territory, as well as any other
hummingbird species
 Eats mainly nectar (occasionally eating
spiders and insects it finds in flowers). The
spiders and insects provide a source of
 Feeds on a variety of flowers as well protein.
as insects and spiders - eats more
arthropods than most hummingbirds.  Need nectar sources with high amounts of
sugar to support their incredibly high
 Particularly likes Salvia species, metabolisms.
Known for its red head. (Sage), particularly Hummingbird
These feathers are only Sage (Salvia spathacea).  Must visit approximately one thousand
visible at a certain angle. flowers per day and needs to consume
This allows the male Anna's  Likes to get a drink on hot days.
Hummingbird to hide when more than twice its own weight in nectar
he needs to and show off  They especially like bird baths that each day.
when it suits him. drip so they can hover and sip water
as it runs over the edge.  Has very general nesting requirements - will
http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds  They will also perch on the edge and nest in trees, shrubs, or herbs. Nests are
/Hummingbirds/Anna's_Hummingbird/An
drink as other birds do but they only very small and tightly woven cups.
sit still for a minute
na's_Hummingbird.htm
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/167/_/An
nas_Hummingbird.aspx http://hummingbirds.arizona.edu/Web%20pictures/Allen's%20male_salal_Melton.png
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/allens_hummingbird_map.htm

Like humans, hummingbirds require water for
The hummingbird habitat: not just pretty refreshment, bathing and drinking as part of their
red flowers… habitat.
 In nature, hummingbirds like to take a bath
 A hummingbird-friendly on a cupped leaf or a shallow pool, or take a
“rainbath”.
garden requires five key
elements to provide good  In the garden, the best water for
hummingbirds is moving water.
hummingbird habitat
 Misters emit a fine mist of water when
attached to a garden hose. Placing a mister
 Nectar-producing flowers so that the mist falls against the foliage of a
tree or plant will create a situation where
 Insects hummingbirds have multiple opportunities to
use the feature
http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pics/alhumas.jpg  Water  Another good source of hummingbird water is
a dripper – simply a hose with a tight valve
that allows a very slow, rhythmic drip into a
 Perching places reservoir of water. These are often attached
to bird baths. Hummingbirds may drink from
 Nest sites either the drip or the reservoir and will
occasionally bathe in the reservoir


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Flowers that depend on the hummingbird for
pollination do all they can to please and attract
Hummingbirds.
 Their blossoms project into the open
where the birds won’t get caught in the
foliage.
 Their trumpet shapes accommodate
their long bills, and discourage other
insects.
 Since Hummingbirds have no ability to
smell, the flowers do not need to be
scented.
 Flowers often red or orange to attract
hummingbirds visually - their inquisitive
male Rufous Hummingbird on Oregon Grape©Donald Jedlovec nature quickly leads them to investigate
any possible new source of food
 They tend to have very high sugar
Humming-bird pollinated plants content to their nectar – higher than for
and their pollinators evolved bee- or butterfly-pollinated plants
together – “co-evolution”


What is a clay soil? Most gardeners know if they have clay soil

 Soil: a combination of sand,  If your soil sticks to
silt, clay, minerals and
organic matter that also shoes and garden
contains some air and water. tools like glue, forms
big clods that aren't
 Clay soils are sometimes
referred to as heavy soils
easy to separate, and
and sandy soils are called crusts over and
cracks in dry
http://www.soilsensor.com/soiltypes.aspx

light.
weather, you have
 To be classified as clay soil,
it should be made up of clay.
about 50% clay particles,
the finest particles found in
soil.

http://www.your-healthy-gardens.com/soil.html

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Tests for clay soil: Feel Tests Tests for clay soil: sedimentation test
 Fill a quart jar 2/3 full with
 Rub a sample of soil between your water
fingers.
 Sandy soil is rough and gritty and  Add dry soil (break up clods)
breaks up easily. until water is within 1” of top
 Clay soil is sticky and feels like of jar.
plastic.
 Put the lid on the jar and
 Silt is in between - much smaller shake it energetically until
particles than sand and it feels
slippery when wet. everything is swirling around.
Then set it aside and let it
 Squeeze a sample of moist soil settle, and mark layers until
 A heavy clay soil will form a solid the water clears.
lump that is difficult to crumble
when it's squeezed together. You  The layers indicate just how
http://home.howstuffworks.com/soil-texture-and-structure.htm
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm
can form a ‘rope’ or ‘ribbon’ much sand, silt and clay make
First, take a handful of  It's hard to get sandy soil to form a up your soil.
lump and it crumbles easily.
moist soil and feel it.

The sedimentation  Sand Layer: settles in 1-2 minutes  Very common in certain areas of S.
process  Allow suspended soil to settle for about a Clay soils CA, particularly around urban areas
minute. where fill soils have been used to
 Mark the side of the jar at the top of establish grade in subdivisions and
the layer that has settled out. developments.
 Silt Layer: settles in 1 hour  Clay soils are typically comprised of
 Set jar aside, being careful not to mix approximately 0 - 45% sand, 0 -
the sand layer; wait ~ an hour. 45% silt and 50 - 100% clay by
 Mark the top of the Silt Layer on the volume.
side of the jar.
 Clay soils are not typically free
 Clay layer: settles in ~24 hours draining, and water tends to take a
 Set jar aside, being careful not to shake long time to infiltrate.
or mix the layers that have settled out.
 After 24 hours, or when the water is  When wet, such soils tend to allow
clear (more or less), mark the jar at the virtually all water to run-off.
The percentage of top of the clay layer.
each layer tells you  Clay soils tend to be heavy and
what kind of soil you  Most of the organic matter will be difficult to work when dry.
have.
floating on the top of the water
50% clay particles

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1/7/2013

 Are also common in Gardening in clay soils is different
Loam Soils Southern California,
particularly in the valleys
and flat areas (flood plains)
surrounding rivers and
streams.
 Loam soils are typically
comprised of approximately
25 - 50% sand, 30 - 50%
silt and 10 - 30% clay by
volume.
 Loam soils are somewhat
heavier than sandy soils
 Tend to be fairly free
draining, again, due to
typically low organic  The old CA garden philosophy: amend the heck out of it
1:1:1 soils content.  The new CA Garden philosophy: what plants will do well in my
clay soil? How do I manage my asset (clay soil)?

The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
The benefits of clay soils are real…
my experience) are:
 They retain soil moisture
well – you won’t have to  Leaving the soil alone as
water as often much as possible
 They usually retain  Timing:
nutrients better than  When to plant
sandy soils  When to water
 Many trees & shrubs  Plant Choice:
(particularly CA natives)  Plants adapted to clay soils
grow well in clay soils  Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your
 Trees often develop soil
better root system – less
likely to topple over  Mulch/ground-covers


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1/7/2013

Benefits of CA native plants in clay soils Amending clay soils: yes or no?
 No need to ‘turn the soil’ each
year – associated with problems  The best way to amend is with
of compaction composted organic material
 If you plant soils native to your  Good/necessary choice for:
area, they are adapted to your  Vegetable gardens
local soil – whatever the soil may  Non-native plants
be
 Problems (for native plants)
 No need for expensive (and  May change soil pH
backbreaking) adding of
amendments & fertilizers  Increases nutrient levels – may
be too high for many natives
 Most native plants (esp. trees and
shrubs) have strong roots;  Not needed – many natives are
fine with many clay soils
penetrate most clays just fine


A better choice: add a little topography Contouring for water management and
conservation
 Small elevation changes (1-3
ft.) in a landscape can work
wonders:
 Provide a greater range of Water
Zones: high areas will be drier –
low areas wetter

 Allow local native plants to be
grown in clay soils – provide
better drainage

 Allow good use of seasonal
rainfall – channel rainwater into
depressions (water gardens) or
swales


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1/7/2013

*Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium
Shady, slightly wetter areas

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribescalifornicum.jpg

*Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium Moderate sized shrub
 Hills of the Transverse Ranges –
that can be trained
Ventura to Orange Co.
 Size:
 Locally: Santa Monica Mtns  3-6+ ft tall
 San Gabriels  4-6+ ft wide
 Mostly in canyons, shaded areas that  Growth form:
get a little extra moisture  Woody shrub
 Drought-deciduous; also often
http://picasaweb.google.com/Julia.Green.67/SmithRiverFloraFauna#5071202037998081666 winter deciduous
 Arched/mounded form
 Foliage:
 Leaves typical for
currants/gooseberries
 Bright to dark green; shiny
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4450,4451,4458,4460
 Bark: red-brown
 Dense enough to provide cover
for birds
 Note prickles – be sure you
locate in the right place!
 Roots: bind soils well
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-pictures-from-3-mile-hike-on.html
© Project SOUND http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3406541076/ © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Flowers are fantastic The real treats (for humans & others) are the berries

 Blooms:  Humans, birds &
 Early spring - usually Jan-
Mar. in our area
others will vie for
 All Ribes provide good early them!
flowers: pretty color &
nectar source  Consider the
possibilities:
 Flowers:
 Jellies
 Almost fuschia-like
 Pink/purple & white  Juices
 Small, but in clusters – &  Sorbets
lots of them  Wine
 Great hummingbird magnet  Etc.
– they guard them!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ken-ichi/2336897514/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/repetti/175661922/
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/ribcal.html © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/hummingbird.html

Hillside Gooseberry does well in many clay
Garden uses for native Gooseberries and Currants
soils…  Soils:
 As an attractive pot plant – large
 Texture: just about any; sandy
pot or planter
to well-drained clays
 pH: any local  As a background shrub,
 Light: particularly in a habitat garden
 Does best with afternoon shade
or dappled shade
 For a hedge or screen

 Water:  In a woodland garden
 Young plants: regular water  Under trees – be sure they have
 Winter: takes some flooding the same water requirements
 Summer:
 likes moist soil (Zone 2-3 or 3);  As an accent plant – can be
will lose leaves otherwise pruned for a formal look
 No overhead water in warm
periods – fungal disease  Espaliered along a wall or fence

http://www.calflora.net/favoritephotos/images/hillsidegooseberry7.jpg  Fertilizer: organic mulch; keep away  In an edible garden
from trunk © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomtruth/3254808068/
© Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Other Ribes for clay soils The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
my experience) are:

 Leaving the soil alone as
much as possible
 Timing:
 When to plant
Golden Currant – R. aureum Chaparral Currant - R. malvaceum  When to water

 Plant Choice:
 Plants adapted to clay soils
 Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your
soil

 Mulch/ground-covers
White-flowered Currant – R. indecorum Fuschia-flowered Gooseberry - R. speciosum

How good is the drainage in your clay Loam soil that doesn’t drain?
soil? – conduct a ‘perc test’ ‘Claypans’ & ‘Plowpans’
 What are they?
 Soil texture/Drainage
 Impermeable layers within
the soil – usually high in clays
Soil type Approximate time
to drain  Cause water to drain very
slowly – ‘vernal pools’
Hard-pan or days
sodic soils  What causes them?
Clay 3-12 hours
 Natural causes: due to
 dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
Loam 20-60 minutes natural sedimentation in
Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
areas once covered by water
 fill with water and let drain
Sand can't fill the  Compaction/plowing: leaves an
 fill hole again, measure hole, drains area that is permenantly
time for water to drain too fast
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/lectsupl/Soil/soil.html
compacted


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1/7/2013

Provide adequate drainage before Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) –
planting in soils with claypan. Stachys rigida (ajugoides)

 Create a sump by augering
one or more holes, each 1
to 4 inches in diameter,
through impermeable soil
or hardpan. Auger down at
least 3 feet or deeper if
necessary to penetrate to
more permeable soil. Fill
the holes with pea gravel
or sandy loam soil before
planting.
 Dig planting hole down
through the claypan or
compacted layer
 Or just plant natives that
can take the extra
moisture
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/sitepreparation.html
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-plant-trees-shrubs-and-vines.htm/printable © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) – The Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Stachys rigida (ajugoides)
 Includes many herbs used in cooking &
perfumery; Rosemary, French Lavender,
 West coast from WA to Thyme, Majoram, Sage, and the garden mints
Baja – local var. (rigida)  Are usually aromatic, but not necessarily
more coastal minty
 Loved by hummingbirds!
 Grows in moist places:  The stems are square with opposite leaves,
with each pair of leaves at right angles to the
 Damp bottomlands ones above and below it.
 Along creeks and streams
 The flowers are in whorls
– riparian areas
 Near marshes  The corolla of the individual flower is usually
2-lipped, with 2 lobes forming the upper lip
var. rigida
 Other moist low ground, and 3 lobes the lower lip.
including roadside ditches
Many members of Lamiaceae
 The hedgenettle genus Stachys is a mint –
make attractive garden only superficially resembles “nettles” - so
additions, particularly the “Wood Mint” is really a better name
showy sages and mints.
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Stachys+ajugoides+var.+rigida

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1/7/2013

Rigid Woodmint is a good example of a shady Specimens from further north are more
wetland perennial plant colorful
 Modest size: 1-3 ft high and wide  Colors range from magenta
 Does well in part shade; full shade in to pale pink
hot areas – would do well under
trees  Unclear what proper
taxonomy is – much
 Requires moist soil most/all of the
year to succeed – regular water in current debate
the garden
 Blooms in summer – nectar source
for bees, butterflies and
hummingbirds; also seed-eaters
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Carr/ofp/sta_rig.htm

 Spreads by rhizomes (underground
stems) – good groundcover in damp
areas of the garden – cut back
yearly to keep in check
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rigidhedgenettle.html

George W. Hartwell


Other local Woodmints also make great
Rigid Woodmint can be a useful addition
groundcovers in clay soils
to the shade garden

 Small irrigated perennial
borders – size is modest, so
good scale for small area
 Bog or seep gardens with Just trim back,
Rushes, Spikerush, Mimulus even drastically,
guttatus, Ranunculus in Fall to keep
californicus, Verbena plants in check
lasiostachys
 Groundcover for damp, shady
areas
 Near ponds
 Great in well-watered
planters, pots
© Project SOUND
Stachys albens Stachys bullata © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
And don’t forget Hummingbird Sage…. rules & you’ll succeed

 Never work clay soils when they are soggy
wet or bone dry; ditto for walking on wet
clays
 Plant after the first fall rains (best) or wet
the ground thoroughly
 Let ground dry out (1-2 weeks depending on
drainage)
 Dig a hole that’s not too big (or deep)
 1 ft wider than tree/shrub (6” on each side)
 Same depth as plant – rough up soil in bottom
of hole
 Consider digging hole with a spading fork
rather than a shovel – or rough up the sides
of the hole
Salvia spathecea © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
rules & you’ll succeed
Native plants with wide water tolerances
often do well in clay soil gardens

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm

 Don’t amend (or put gravel in) planting hole – encourages root rot
 Backfill with soil from the hole; break up any clods/clumps
 Firm down the soil around the roots
 If you create a moat around the plant, remove it in wet weather

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1/7/2013

* Rose (Chaparral) Snapdragon – Sairocarpus
* Rose Snapdragon – Sairocarpus multiflorus
multiflorus (Antirrhinum multiflorum)
(Antirrhinum multiflorum)

 Foothills below 4000 ft.
elevation

 Generally on dry slopes,
disturbed areas or burns

 Usually in chaparral

 Soil may be rocky

 Other names: Multiflowered
Snapdragon; Sticky Snapdragon;
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7177,7178,7187 Withered Snapdragon

© 2002 Lynn Watson

Rose Snapdragon Rose Snapdragon:
is a fire-follower a sub-shrub
 Size:
 Common reasons why a
plant is a fire-follower:  2-4 ft tall
 2-4 ft wide
 Seeds need either heat
and/or smoke exposure  Growth form:
to germinate
 Perennial/sub-shrub
 Plants need full sun  Bushy or mounded form
 Plant need decreased  Foliage:
competition for
water/nutrients  Lance-shaped, blue-green
leaves; larger below
 Soil nutrient levels are  Semi-drought deciduous;
increased; plants that
need a little extra retained with a little summer
nutrients may be fire- water
followers
http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/flowers/index.php?action=show_item&id=175&search=
© 2006 Aaron Schusteff

© Project SOUND Ó by Dave Hildebrand © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

 Soils:
Flowers: delightful! Plant Requirements  Texture: tolerates wide range
 Blooms: from sandy to clay
 Spring into summer; usually  pH: any local
Apr-June in our area
 Light:
 Blooms over several weeks
 Full sun to part shade
 Flowers:  Full sun fine in most gardens,
 Snapdragon-type but flower color may be better
with a little shade
 Color: ranges form hot
pink/magenta to pale pink,  Water:
even lavender
 Winter: needs good water
 Flowers arrange snapdragon-
 Summer: wide range of
like along upright stems –
tolerance – Zone 1-2 to 2-3;
very showy
good for transitional zones
 Fragrant; loved by
hummingbirds  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=60

 Seeds: small; surface sow – let  Management: cut back to 12” in
dry out a bit between watering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antirrhinummultiflorum.jpg
fall/winter
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rosesnapdragon.html

Pink Snapdragon –
made for the garden Habitat : not just for nature preserves any more
 In mixed perennial beds; good
water tolerance
 Our yards are
 In native grasslands; or mixed
with wildflowers a critical
source of
 Good choice on sunny hills and habitat for
slopes
birds, insects,
 Wonderful habitat plant; other wildlife
hummingbirds and others

 As an attractive pot plant

 Good showy choice to use as
‘cover’ while slower-growing http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Drummond_2009/index.html

© 2006 Aaron Schusteff http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/316812126/
shrubs are maturing

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* Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora * Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora

 Endemic to Outer
North Coast Ranges
(Vine Hill, near
Forestville, Sonoma
Co.)
 A common garden
Manzanita – many
cultivars of varying
sizes

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Arctostaphylos+densiflora
© 2006 Steve Matson


Vine Hill Manzanita is a winner..
 Size:
 4-8 ft tall (cultivars somewhat
outside this range)
 4-6+ ft wide

 Growth form:
 Woody shrub; actual form
depends on local conditions
 Cultivars range from tree-form
to low groundcover
 Moderate growth rate
 Bark an attractive red-brown

 Foliage:
© 2001 David Graber
 Evergreen
 Leaves leathery, elliptic,
 Grows on unique shale outcrops http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_trunk.JPG
upright, medium green
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/419662011_8048513537.jpg?v=0

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1/7/2013

Flowers: small but showy The berries are edible

 Blooms:
 Late winter/early spring;
 Loved by fruit-eating birds
usually Feb.-Apr in W. L.A. like Cedar Waxwings,
Co. Mockingbirds, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3356240703/

 Flowers: http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Arcto_HowardMcMinn.htm
 Can be used to make a drink
 Small urn-shaped flowers or juice reminiscent of
typical of Manzanitas apple cider (manzanita is,
 Shell-pink or white after all, ‘little apple’)
 Many flowers in dense,
showy clusters – a real  Also makes a nice jelly or
show-stopper syrup
 Hummingbirds love them

© 2006 Steve Matson

An adaptable Manzanita  Soils: Vine Hill manzanita
 Texture: quite adaptable –
more so than other Manzanitas  Train as an attractive tree
– takes clay soils  Use as a large accent shrub
 pH: any local; slightly acidic is  Shear as a formal hedge – or leave it
best more informal
 Light:  Some cultivars even make nice
 Full sun to part-shade evergreen groundcovers
http://www.nativeson.com/images/plants/arctostaphylossunset.jpg

 Water:
 Winter: tolerates seasonal
flooding
 Summer: likes to be fairly dry
– Zone 1-2 to 2 once
established

 Fertilizer: likes poor soils; fine
with organic mulch
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/arcdenhm.htm

© Project SOUND
‘Howard McMinn’ cultivar © Project SOUND

16

Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes

Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes

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Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes