Low Groundcovers - Notes

1/6/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Low and Northerly:
Groundcover Plants from the
Northern and Central CA Coast

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

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Madrona Marsh Preserve
Project SOUND – 2012 (our 8th year) February 4 & 7, 2012
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

What makes a good
groundcover plant? The California coast has inspired for centuries

 Low growth habit
 Evergreen – nice color
 Dense foliage – few gaps
 Fast growth to mature size
– then slow
 Long-lived
 Flowers, fruits and other
features that make it good
habitat
 And, for today’s subject,
should be woody (or at
least half-woody)

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/northern-coast © Project SOUND http://www.bon-voyage.co.uk/destinations/california_holidays/itineraries © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

But the CA coast inspires gardeners for a Some of our best native groundcovers come from
different reason… the N. & Central California coast

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/ranlo/2/1279124248/northern-california-coast.jpg/tpod.html
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

Central &  ZONE 16: Central and Northern
Sunset Zones California Coast thermal belts
N. Maritime
 Thermal belts (slopes from which cold
Chaparral air drains) in a coastal climate
 Ocean dominated about 85 % of the
 “within the zone of time and by inland weather about 15%
summer fog incursion”  A summer afternoon wind
 More summer heat than Zone 17;
 Features: warmer winters than inland
 greater exposure to  Cooler summers than Zones 22-24
summer fog,
humidity  ZONE 17: Marine effects in
 mild temps. and Southern Oregon, Northern and
moderate drought Central California
pressures
 Mild, wet, almost frostless winters;
 adaptations to cool summers w/ frequent fog or wind.
different
 Muted sunlight much of the year
disturbance regimes
(less frequent fire). http://www.digitalseed.com/gardener/climate/plantclimate_map_ca.html
 Summer highs ~ 65-70º F

http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/reference/subissue_detail.php?SUBISSUE_ID=1

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1/6/2013

Let’s take a road Our Central and Northern Coastal areas a
trip up Hwy 1 unique in many ways
 Central coast
 Point Sal/Guadalupe

 San Simeon/Arroyo de la Cruz

 Big Sur
 Rocky point
 Yankee Point/Diamond Heights

 Northern coast
 Point Reyes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_State_Route_1.svg
 Ft. Bragg


 Arctostaphylos andersonii
We share some plants with the Central Manzanitas of the  A. canescens
 A. crustacea
and Northern Maritime chaparral northern maritime
 Arctostaphylos cruzensis
chaparral  A. edmundsii
 Black sage – Salvia mellifera  A. glutinosa
 Purple Sage – Salvia leucophylla  A. hookeri hearstiorum
 Sticky Monkeyflower – Diplacus  A. hookeri hookeri
aurantiacus Many of these species are  A. montaraensis
 Blue-eyed Grass – Sisyrinchium rare or endangered in the  A. montereyensis
bellum wild, but grown regularly in  A. morroensis
 Some grasses - Nassellas the garden
 A. nummularia sensitiva
 Many native wildflowers  A. ohlone pro. sp.
 A. pajaroensis
 A. pumila
 A. purissima
 A. silvicola
© Project SOUND
 A. tomentosa (all ssp &Prforms)
© SOUND

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1/6/2013

Not surprisingly, our local flora has the most in California rainfall – quite a range, even
common with that of the Central Coast along our coasts

 The closer the native
home of a plant to our
own, the more similar are
the:
 Soils
 Temperatures http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread775456/pg2

http://coast-santabarbara.org/
 Rainfall
 Etc
 Plants from nearby
coastal areas are easier
to grow than those from
further up the coast


Our first stop: Point Sal Home to a unique flora
 Located in the northwestern part of  Transition zone between N. & S.
Santa Barbara County, near the city CA: unique plant species
of Guadalupe assemblages.
 Between Vandenberg Air Force Base  A mosaic of coastal sage scrub
and the Guadalupe Dunes. and foothill needle-grass with
 Sandy/rocky promontory wildflowers, Giant Corepopsis
 Much influenced by ocean
* http://kcbx.net/~bdenneen/

breezes, salt spray – like our
own immediate coast

http://www.cityprofile.com/california/photos/36781-guadalupe-point-sal-state-beach1.html

http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.ASP?DispType=1&ActiveHike=0&GetHikesStateID=&ID=42 © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
66 http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2001/09/fieldwork2.html
http://www.ryono.net/pointsal/pointsal.html http://blogbisogno.wordpress.com/2009/08/page/2/

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Salvia leucophylla ‘Pt. We continue our
Sal Spreader’ road trip up Hwy 1
 Central coast
 Naturally occurring variants
from Point Sal  Point Sal/Guadalupe

 San Simeon/Arroyo de la Cruz
 Look like Purple Sage except
usually shorter (2-3 ft)
http://www.sm.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24489&return=l2_aO

 Very variable in size,
depending on water, other *
conditions
 Purple Sage cultivars &
hybrids may be easier to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_State_Route_1.svg

grow than the species


Hearst Castle – San Simeon Hearst/San Simeon Coast/ Arroyo de la Cruz
 Old ocean beaches and bluffs
 The soil varies from a near adobe through
red clay on hard pan to a gray sand-rock
composite.
 It receives summer fog and rainfall of about
20-30 inches/yr
 It is one of the most moderate climates in
the world. Every day has a high of 60-65
degrees F. and a low of 50 degrees F.

http://www.nordicgeospatial.com/about_us http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-
http://www.coastandocean.org/coast_v23_no3_2007/articles/Hiking_Hearst_04.htm © Project SOUND bin/location.cgi?flags=0&year=current&latdeg=35.591167&longdeg=121.131667
© Project SOUND
http://justinsomnia.org/2006/09/driving-down-the-big-sur-coast/

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1/6/2013

Rainfall: Central Coast The Arroyo de la Cruz region: special

Our rainfall

© 2011 Chris Winchell

Mouth of Arroyo de la Cruz, ridge immediately south of creek, east of Hwy 1 (San
Much cooler summers as well Luis Obispo County, California, US)

Arroyo de la Cruz has also provided us
Arroyo de la Cruz – unique conditions =
some wonderful garden cultivars
unique plants
 A variety of communities, chaparral, coastal sage scrub,  Sisyrinchium bellum
riparian and grassland, mark this unique area. Its importance 'Arroyo de la Cruz‘
lies in the number of endemics that are found in this
relatively small area; indeed, it has been called the "Cruzian  Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
pocket of endemism."
var. thyrsiflorus
 Ten species of plants considered rare or endangered are
'Arroyo de la Cruz‘
found here. Most have a restricted range.
 It is the type locality of at least two species, Arctostaphylos  Ceanothus maritimus
hookeri ssp. hearstiorum and Ceanothus hearstiorum which are
'Valley Violet‘
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/billbouton/sets/72157603552645540/

found nowhere else.
 Other rare species include Allium hickmanii, Arctostaphylos
cruzensis, Bloomeria humilis, Calochortus clavatus ssp.
recurvfolius, Campanula obispoensis (?), Ceanothus maritimus,
Sanicula hoffmannii and Sanicula maritima.

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* Arroyo de la Cruz Manzanita – * Arroyo de la Cruz Manzanita –
Arctostaphylos cruzensis Arctostaphylos cruzensis
 Endemic to coastal areas from northwest San
Luis Obispo Co. to Southern Monterey Co.
 Grows on old ocean beaches and bluffs
 Occurs in a variety of habitats, including
maritime chaparral, coastal scrub, conifer forest,
and valley-foothill grassland.
 Receives summer fog/rainfall of 20-30” per year
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3466


© Project SOUND © 2011 Chris Winchell © Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-cruzensis

Low-growing Manzanitas: Ground cover manzanita
perfect for your garden?  Size:
 2-3 ft tall
 Attractive, ‘neat-looking’ foliage  5-10 ft wide
©J.S. Peterson
 Red bark on interesting  Growth form:
trunks/branches
 Spreading, low : mat-like to
 Low-maintenance under the right http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-cruzensis
mounded
conditions:  Shreddy red bark
 Needs good drainage  Dense – good coverage
 Low water in summer - susceptible
to fungal diseases; deep watering  Foliage:
(Zone 1/2)  Leaves bright green, shiny;
Jo-Ann Ordano © California Academy of Sciences  No fertilizer may be hairy when young
 Densely over-lapping on
Flammable: manzanita plants contain  Coastal varieties will thrive along branch
volatile compounds, which burn like a immediate coast – even right next
torch when ignited – no a good choice to beach  Roots: no basal burl – so can’t
for fire-prone areas re-sprout

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1/6/2013

Who can resist a  Soils:
Central coast plant
 Texture: adaptable – sandy soils in
manzanita in bloom? nature
 pH: any local – 6.0-8.0
 Blooms:  Light:
 Winter/early spring  Full sun only right along coast
 Usually Dec-Feb in S. Bay  Afternoon shade in most gardens;
remember, average temperatures
 Flowers: cooler (60-65º F. where it’s native)
© 2006 Steve Matson  Small, urn-shaped flowers typical
of manzanita  Water:
 Pale pink blush  Winter: good winter rains
 Large clusters – very showy  Summer:
 Sweet scent  Needs supplemental summer water
– Zone 2 to 2-3
 Fruits:  Needs leaves washed down during
 The edible ‘little apples’ dry summer – remember the
summer fogs
 Hairy, ½ inch diameter; ripe in
late summer or fall  Other: shouldn’t need much pruning;
© Project SOUND
sterile technique, after blooming
© Project SOUND
© 2002 David Graber

Good looking Why the variability in growth habit?
evergreen shrub
 Used as an evergreen woody
ground cover – substitute for ivy
 Good for slopes
 Pair with its native associates
for an evergreen medley:
 Ceanothus hearstiorum © 2011 Chris Winchell
© 2006 Steve Matson

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-cruzensis
 Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Tilden Botanical Garden
 Ceanothus griseus Regional Parks Botanic
 Adenostoma fasciculatum Garden is a botanical garden in
Tilden Park, Berkeley CA USA
 Iris douglasii
 Baccharis pilularis
 Salvia mellifera
 Diplacus aurantiacus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_cruzensis

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1/6/2013

Some species occur along the entire CA coast Western Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium bellum

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mechanoid_dolly/5682527020/

© Project SOUND

Sisyrinchium bellum
Western Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium bellum 'Arroyo de la Cruz'

 Not a grass at all – a  Dwarf selection - ~ 6 inches
member of the Iris tall
family (smallest  Unusually large--1 1/2 inch
member of the Iris wide--purple flowers in spring
family) http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1292

 Flowers a vivid purple flowers
 Distribution: Much of are held a bit above the 6 inch
CA, OR high foliage clump.

 Habitat:  Useful in a dry border, on a
bank, and in a rock garden.
 Open, generally moist,
North/Central coast areas have produced grassy areas
some attractive variants – now available as  Woodlands
cultivars for the garden

© Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/5712113309/

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1/6/2013

Other sisyrinchium cultivars Seaside Daisy - Erigeron glaucus

 ‘Rocky Point’
 Dwarf habit, with
broader leaves and
violet blossoms
Rocky Point, Big Sur
http://nativeson.typepad.com/plants/2010/05/sisyrinchi
um-bellum-rocky-point.html

 ‘Ft. Bragg’
 Dwarf habit, with
broader leaves
 Soft lavender in
color, with violet
centers
http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv20278.php

Cliffs near Ft. Bragg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreedyphoto/page6/


Two California Daisys Seaside Daisy – Erigeron glaucus

 E. foliosus (Leafy):  Compact growth habit: < 1 ft
Erigeron foliosus
 Mountain ranges & hills of C.  Leaves:
& western S. CA
 Dry, sunny, rocky, brushy or  Thicker, fleshier
wooded or grassy slopes  Larger: spatula shaped
 coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and southern oak woodland  More basal
 Roots:
 E. glaucus (Seaside)
 Rhizomes
 Central to N. Coast (into OR)
 Plant spreads into dense
 Coastal bluffs, dunes, mat-like colony
Erigeron glaucus beaches http://www.calhortsociety.org/seed-exchange/seed-exchange-2002/seed-list-pages/large/Erigeron-glaucus-2.jpg

 Coastal Strand, Coastal Sage  Flowers: no differences
Scrub, Northern Coastal
Scrub Much more “lush appearing” than leafy
fleabane


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1/6/2013

 Borders Horticultural cultivars of
Using Erigeron Seaside Daisy
 Edges & low hedges
glaucus
 Accent plant  Variable in size and number of
flowers and plant
 In a rock garden
 Choose the one you like best
 Near pools & ponds
http://www.mostlynatives.com/notes/erigeronglaucuscs.jpg
 Ground cover
‘Cape Sebastian’ cultivar

http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/eriglasb.htm

http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/pictures/a269.jpg
‘Sea Breeze’ cultivar

Great addition to a North coast http://www.callutheran.edu/Academic_Programs/Departments/
Biology/Wildflowers/gf/plants/category/gar-1670.htm
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2213
themed garden
‘Olga’ cultivar ‘Bountiful’ cultivar

Ceanothus – California Lilacs
Ceanothus of the northern maritime
chaparral  Some 55 species
 Common names: California Lilac, Mountain lilac,
 Ceanothus cuneatus var. Wild lilac, Buckbrush, Blueblossum
fascicularis  Quite variable in habit:
 Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus  evergreen and deciduous
 Ceanothus gloriosus var. gloriosus  prostrate to erect shrubs and small trees.
 Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus  Flowers small, in clusters, showy en masse
 Ceanothus gloriosus var.
 Flower color: white through many shades of blue, deep violet.
porrectus
 Ceanothus hearstiorum  Range: southern Canada to Guatemala
 Ceanothus maritimus  Mainly in California (over 40 species)
 Some also in the eastern US and Rocky Mountains.

 Have the ability to fix large amounts of nitrogen via root-inhabiting
microbes (actinomycetes).
© Pr SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. * Hearst’s (San Simeon) Ceanothus –
thyrsiflorus 'Arroyo de la Cruz' Ceanothus hearstiorum

 Bright shiny leaves
 Medium-blue flowers
 Large mounding shrub or
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-
thyrsiflorus-big-sur-california-lilac groundcover, great for
erosion control or a low,
broad hedge.
 Best with a little summer
water and afternoon
shade in our climate

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ceanothus_hearstiorum
http://plantayflor.blogspot.com/2010/09/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-var-repens.html

* Hearst’s Ceanothus – Ceanothus hearstiorum Hearst’s Ceanothus – low grower
 Central coast endemic – San Luis  Size:
Obispo & Monterrey counties – near  generally < 1 ft tall
Arroyo de la Cruz; very rare in nature  3-6 ft wide
 Coastal, low, grassy hills  Growth form:
 Receives summer fog/rainfall of 20-  Evergreen woody (half-woody)
30” per year shrub
 Prostrate habit; radiates out
Picture from Rob Rizzardi
from central stem like a star
 Slow-growing but long-lived

 Foliage:
 Leaves bright to medium green
 Small, narrow and glandular;
unique
 Has a nice scent when wet


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1/6/2013

Hearst’s Ceanothus  Soils:
Heavenly, old-
likes clay  Texture: clays best, loams/rocky
fine – not for sandy soils
fashioned flowers
 pH: any local

 Blooms: in spring – usually Mar-  Light:
Apr in our area  Full sun on immediate coast
 Afternoon shade in hotter inland
 Flowers:
gardens
 Small with prominent anthers
– typical of ceanothus species  Water:
 Lavender to medium blue  In the wild: summer fog and
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Ceanothus-hearstiorum/

 In dense clusters – very showy rainfall of about 20-30 inches.
 Sweet scented; old-fashioned Every day has a high of 60-65º F.
 Can be used to make a mild and a low of 50º F.
soap –as can the foliage  In your garden: Water Zone 2 or 2-
3 (occasional summer water); rinse
 Fruits: hard knobby fruits – off leaves every few weeks in dry
birds eat the seeds summer periods

 Other: organic mulch; prune after
blooming or to remove diseased
Picture from Rob Rizzardi

Low-growing Ceanothus Coastal ground covers conquer slopes
 Ground covers – slopes
 In large planters
 To hide retaining walls


http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Ceanothus-hearstiorum/

http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/howto/slope.html

Artemisia californica Canyon Gray Canyon , Ceanothus hearstiorum, Ceanothus
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/may.htm Yankee Point, and Salvia sonomensis Mrs. Beard Mrs. Beard.
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1249

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Using ground covers with different
characteristics adds interest

http://www.intermountainnursery.com/demonstration_garden_list.htm

Salvia ‘Bee’s Bliss’ with Dwarf Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilularis) cultivar

Lower-growing Coyote Bush cultivars On our way to Big Sur, we enjoy the coast near Morro Bay
 ‘Pigeon Point' – low groundcover  Central coast
 1-2 ft tall  Point Sal/Guadalupe
 Up to 12 ft wide
 Very bright green foliage; larger leaves  San Simeon/Arroyo de la Cruz
than species
 Most common dwarf form for coastal
areas

 ‘Twin Peaks 2’ – low groundcover or *
hedge
 Usually 1 – 3 ft tall; will mound to 5 ft
if not regularly sheared
 6 ft wide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_State_Route_1.svg

 Dense growth; can be shaped
 Leaves smaller, darker gray-green & Maritime chaparral at the Los Osos
more deeply toothed than species Elfin Forest Preserve on Morro Bay,
San Luis Obispo

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California’s famous ‘Elfin Forests’ California’s famous ‘Elfin Forests’
 Elfin forest is a nickname given to  Unusual areas: chaparral that
several similar dwarfed plants can be waterlogged in the
ecosystems, mainly in coastal winter, and arid and nearly
Temperate Californian and desert-like in the summer
montane Tropical regions
 Plants have adapted accordingly,
 Include communities of and are generally much shorter,
dwarfed/tiny plants. smaller, and compact than
http://blog.slocountyhomes.com/2009/03/elfin-forest-boardwalk-trail.html/
related plants elsewhere.
 Some CA Elfin Forests:
 Even trees and shrubs, such as
 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Cypress (Cupressus), Oak
Park (N/ CA coast) (Quercus), and Madrone
 El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area (Arbutus menziesii) rarely grow
(Morro Bay) more than 20 ft (7 m) tall in
 San Luis Obispo Elfin Forest these plant communities.
(Higher up on Cuesta Ridge in SLO
county).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32661-d2169512-Reviews-
Elfin_Forest_Preserve-Los_Osos_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html © Project SOUND http://www.kayharden.com/galy16b.html © Project SOUND

Maritime Ceanothus – Ceanothus maritimus
Maritime Ceanothus – Ceanothus maritimus
 Endemic to San Luis Obispo County California,
where it is known from only a few occurrences in
the vicinity of Hearst Ranch.
 Grows on old ocean beaches and bluffs < 500 ft;
soil varies from a near adobe through red clay
on hard pan to a gray sand-rock composite
 High precipitation (20-30”); summer fog;
temperate climate

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-maritimus

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1/6/2013

Low-growing Maritime Manzanita Who can resist ‘em?
 Size:
 Blooms:
 1-3 ft tall
 In spring – usually Feb to April
 5-6 ft wide in our part of the world
 Growth form:  Flowers:
 Evergreen woody shrub; moderate  Dense clusters of typical 5-
to slow growth rate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceanothus_maritimus
part pattern of ceanothus
 Low, spreading or more mounded  Deep blue to violet to almost
habit white
 Reddish gray bark aging to gray  Sweet scented – good for
 Stems stiff-looking insect pollinators
 Native Californians used to
 Foliage:
make mild soap
 Leaves small, wedge-shaped, shiny
medium green above; hairy beneath  Fruits: dry capsule, usually horned
at top; birds eat seeds
 Roots: support nitrogen-fixing bacteria

© 2006 Steve Matson © Project SOUND http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ceanothus+maritimus © Project SOUND

A plant for the coast –  Soils: Maritime Ceanothus
and beyond  Texture: adaptable – best in
clays, fine in sandy soils in the garden
 pH: any local

 Light:  Good choice for fire-prone
 Full sun on coast, to part shade areas, with summer water
inland (morning sun fine)  Slopes
 Good under tall trees  Groundcover – neat-looking
 Water:  Parking strips
 In wild: 2x our annual rainfall;  Pair with other low coastal
summer fogs groundcovers: Salvia
 Summer: needs water at least leucophylla ‘Pt. Sal’, Ceanothus
several times a month in inland maritimus, and Lessingia
gardens – Zone 2 to 2-3 filaginifolia ‘Silver Carpet’
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

 Other: dislikes being moved and
pruning – leave it alone if possible
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Ceanothus-maritimus/
© Project SOUND http://www.vcstar.com/photos/2010/feb/08/86887/ © Project SOUND

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Ceanothus maritimus Ceanothus maritimus
‘Frosty Dawn’ ‘Point Sierra’
 Selection of Ceanothus maritimus from
the hills south of Arroyo de la Cruz in San  This selection of the Maritime
Luis Obispo County ceanothus has smaller leaves than
most. With its stiff branching the
 2 feet tall by up to 5 feet wide
effect is similar to Cotoneaster.
 Performs best in coastal climates but has  Denser and lower than the species,
also proved successful in inland gardens. this maritimus selection is tolerant
 Lovely and tough
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157625418384199/
of interior heat if given modest
shade
 2 to 3 feet tall by up to 5 feet wide
with thick leathery 1/4 to 1/2 inch
long leaves
 Lavender blue flowers appear in
early spring.
 The blue violet flowers emerge
from dusty white buds in late
winter.
http://greenlifestudios.com/gallery- http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Ceanothus_maritimus_'Frosty_dawn'
detail.php?id=15&cat_id=2&keywords=Frosty_Dawn_California_Lilac

Ceanothus maritimus Ceanothus maritimus
‘Popcorn’ ‘Valley Violet’
 A tidy groundcover that requires
little maintenance. Heavy bloomer.
Compact, thick leaves. Best on coast.  UC Davis Arboretum All-
Good substitute for cotoneaster. 3'
Star selection, 2010.
H x 6' W. Moderate to slow.
 White flowers in spring
 3 ft tall; 3-4 ft wide
http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/allstars_detail_57.aspx
 performs well in a variety
of settings. It can take
full sun or part shade,
requires very little water
once established, develops
into an attractive mound
that needs no pruning
 Super-showy violet colored
flowers on long flowering
stalks – really different
http://cascadiannurseries.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-look-monrovias-new-introductions.html
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_c/ceamarpop.html © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Ceanothus_maritimus_'Popcorn'

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1/6/2013

Onward & upward to Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos edmundsii
Big Sur
 Central coast
 Point Sal/Guadalupe

*  San Simeon/Arroyo de la Cruz

 Big Sur
 Rocky point

Point Sur © 2007 Penny DeWind


Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos * Hooker’s Manzanita – Arctostaphylos hookeri
edmundsii

http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610653.pdf

 Many of the low-growing manzanitas grow in sandy coastal areas,
suggesting that well-drained soils are important
Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences

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1/6/2013

Hooker’s Manzanita is a
* Hooker’s Manzanita – Arctostaphylos hookeri
natural groundcover
 Native range
extends from the  Under trees
coastal San  On slopes
Francisco Bay  In front yards - evergreen
Area to the http://absbonsai.org/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=834

Central Coast http://128.253.177.181/imgs/dws/r/Ericaceae_Arctostaphylos_hookeri_18909.html

http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/factsheet/factsheet.php?SPECIES_ID=1  Sandy, coastal
pine or oak
woods, coastal
scrub < 1000 ft

© 1991 David Graber http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-hookeri-wayside-manzanita
© Project SOUND http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=173 © Project SOUND

Rainfall: Big Sur area Hurricane Point
near Big Sur
 The many climates of Big Sur result in
Our rainfall an astonishing biodiversity, including
many rare and endangered species

 Arid, dusty chaparral-covered hills
http://xasauantoday.com/2011/09/16/serra-hill/ exist within easy walking distance of
lush riparian woodland.

 The mountains trap most of the
moisture out of the clouds; fog in
summer, rain and snow in winter.

 This creates a favorable environment
for coniferous forests, including the
southernmost habitat of the coast
redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which
grows only on lower coastal slopes that
Much cooler summers as well – http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~karthik/pics/2005-06-1-BigSur/web/html/dscf0076.html
are routinely fogged in at night.
summer highs in the 70’s © Project SOUND Big Sur Coastline from Hurricane Point http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur
© Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

* Carmel Creeper – Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis * Carmel Creeper – Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis
 Northern & Central CA coast
(var. horizontalis from Monterey
Co.)
 Chaparral, coastal scrub, closed-
cone-pine forests.


http://www.sb.watersavingplants.com/listplants.php?index=9
© Project SOUND http://www.flickriver.com/photos/80651083@N00/tags/montereycounty/ © Project SOUND

Carmel Creeper: it creeps Flowers: ooh la-la
 Size:
 2-3 ft tall  Blooms: winter through spring:
 6-15 ft wide any time from Dec. to April

 Growth form:  Flowers:
 Woody (half-woody) evergreen  Usually a bright medium
groundcover; fast-growing blue, but may be lighter
 May be flat or slightly mounded  Dense clusters of tiny
flowers – really showy in a
 Foliage: good year (many years)
 Shiny, medium/dark green leaves  Sweet scent attracts bees
– almost unreal looking and other insect pollinators
 Dense foliage – hardly see
branches  Seeds:
 Neat, attractive appearance  In strange dry capsules that
split open; birds eat them
 Roots:
 Symbiotic relationship with N-
fixing bacteria © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

Extraordinarily  Soils: Garden uses for Carmel Creeper
 Texture: any, from sand to heavy
adaptable clay  As an attractive ground cover:
 pH: any local
 Under trees
 Light:  On slopes
 Full sun only along coast  Mounded over walls/retaining walls
 Part-shade (afternoon shade)
best in most situations – good
under trees

 Water:
 Winter: supplement in dry winters
 Summer: Occasional summer
water – Zone 2 for species and
cultivars

 Fertilizer: none needed, but light
fertilizer won’t kill it


Ceanothus griseus Ceanothus griseus
‘Diamond Heights’ ‘Hurricane Point’
 Variegated leaves
 2-3 ft. tall x 20 ft wide in
 3 - 4 ft. wide; low
many years
 Scant, light blue flowers in spring
 Best with light shade in hot regions.  Slower growth but give it
http://blog.jannelsonlandscapedesign.com/?cat=78 room to spread

 Flowers light blue

 'Yankee Point' has been
called a more restrained
version of this cultivar.

http://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/california-natives-part-3-groundcovers-
http://www.bambooandmore.info/2012_01_09_archive.html manzanitas-ceanothus/

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1/6/2013

‘Yankee Point’ –
‘Kurt Zadnick’
Carmel Heights
Ceanothus
 Ever wonder where
 2 to 3 feet tall, spreading
or trailing 6 feet or more ‘Yankee Point’ ceanothus
originated?
 Bright indigo blue flowers http://www.sawbuck.com/property/California/93923_Carmel/7659172-98-Yankee-Point

in spring

 More garden tolerant than
Yankee Point

http://www.carmelrealtycompany.com/index.cfm/person-Barbara_Ehrenpreis_11.htm

http://www.sammcleod.com/properties/111YANKEEPOINT.html
http://www.landscaperesource.com/plants/ceanothus-kurt-zadnik.htm

Ceanothus griseus ‘Yankee Point’ Management of low-
 Old garden standard – 30+ years
growing Ceanothus
 2-3 ft tall and 10 ft wide; fast  Proper watering is key:
 Overwatering is often the cause of
 Darker leaves than species death; make sure they are in well-
 Great groundcover, slopes, etc. drained soil.
 Once established, apply deep
http://www.fresno.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2419
infrequent irrigation in the dry season.
4&return=l5_aS http://www.cuyamaca.edu/oh170/Thumbnail_Pages/Ceanothus_griseus.asp
 Do not fertilize; like slightly acidic
‘Yankee Point’ soils so use organic mulch
 Only minimal pruning
 Pinch back tips during the growing
season to shape – unless you have deer
 Prune branches only if they are less
than 1” in diameter, and only after the
spring bloom when flowers have faded.
 Use sterile technique

 Ceanothus tend to be short-lived (5-15
years) often due to disease (too much
water, fertilizer, pruning)
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/cegrhyp3.htm

22

1/6/2013

Ceanothus: a hit in European gardens Our trip takes us to the
 “Ceanothus thyrisflorus, blueblossom, San Francisco Bay
was the first California species to receive
both botanical and horticultural
recognition . . . when it was collected by  Central coast
botanist Adelbert von Chamisso on the
Russian ship Rurik’s expedition to  Point Sal/Guadalupe
California in 1816.  San Simeon/Arroyo de la Cruz
 “The Royal Horticultural Society received  Big Sur
seeds of Ceanothus thyrisflorus from
 Rocky point
Richard Brinsley Hinds from the 1837
expedition of HMS Sulphur, making it the

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/plantfinder/ceanothus-california- first California species introduced into  Northern coast
European gardens “
lilac_1.asp

 Point Reyes
 Even today, it is not uncommon in Britain
to see Ceanothus espaliered against a  Ft. Bragg
south-facing brick wall.

© Project SOUND http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/recovery/mapped93/index.php?p=dom-NCCC SOUND
© Project

* Glossyleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos nummularia * Glossyleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos nummularia
 North Coast, Outer North Coast
Ranges, w San Francisco Bay Area
(Mount Tamalpais, Santa Cruz Mtns)
 Rocky sites, woodland, coniferous
forest, < 1500 ft
 AKA ‘Fort Bragg Manzanita’

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctostaphylos-nummularia/
http://www.thevoiceofalliant.com/FunSun.html
© Project SOUND http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/mount-tamalpais.html © Project SOUND

23

1/6/2013

Glossyleaf Manzanita: variable habit Manzanita flowers
 Size:
 2-6 ft tall; usually 2-3 in nature
 Blooms:
 4-6 ft wide
 In winter; usually Dec-Feb
 Growth form: locally, tho’ may be a few
 Dense evergreen shrub blooms at other times
 Habit varies from low and spreading  Flowers:
(rocky, exposed sites), mounded to © 2006 Steve Matson
 Small, urn-shaped flowers
larger upright shrub (forest sites)
typical of the genus
 Red bark
 Pale pink; sweetly scented
 Foliage:  Flower clusters slightly more
 Leaves rounded, tidy looking open and other species
 Dark shiny green above; lighter  Flowers pollinated by large
beneath bees – ‘buzz pollination’

 Roots: no burl – don’t coppice!  Fruits:
 Edible ‘apples’ in summer/fall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos_nummularia_1.jpg © Project SOUND http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctostaphylos-nummularia/ © Project SOUND

Grows under rage of  Soils:
Garden uses for Glossyleaf Manzanita
 Texture: well-drained – sandy or
conditions rocky best
 Mounded groundcover under pines
 pH: slightly acidic; may want to
and similar tall trees
amend with peat moss
 Along coast, with other species
 Light: for a north coast themed garden:
 Best with afternoon shade Allium unifolium, Diplicus aurantiacus,
 Good choice for under trees Baccharis pilularis, Pinus attenuata,
(pines; oaks) Fragaria vesca, Satureja douglasii

 Water:
 Winter: gets a lot in its native
© 2004 Aaron Schusteff
habitat – supplement if needed
 Summer: gets summer rain and
fog – Zone 2-3 and wash-downs

 Fertilizer: light applications of acid
fertilizer

 Other: best near the coast
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
© 2004 Aaron Schusteff

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1/6/2013

Arctostaphylos nummularia Versatile ‘Emerald Carpet’
‘Small Change’ hybrid is garden friendly
and low
 Selected for its small leaves which
 Hybrid between Arctostaphylos
are bronze when young.
uva-ursi and A. nummularia – best
 2-3' H x 3-4' W; mounding or traits of both parents
spreading
 groundcover to very low hedge
 Coast: full sun; Inland: part shade

 Well-draining, acidic soils - good
choice for planting under pines.

 Provide afternoon sun and extra
water in inland gardens.

http://www.pasadena.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=243&return=l8_aK

http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Arctostaphylos_nummularia_'Small_Change'

The climate above San Francisco Bay is Point Reyes
quite different from ours  ~ 30 miles (50 km) north of San
Francisco on Highway 1

 A prominent cape

 The Point Reyes Peninsula is bounded by
Tomales Bay on the northeast and Bolinas
Lagoon on the southeast.

 The headland is protected as part of
Point Reyes National Seashore.

http://angrylambie-landscapes.buzznet.com/user/photos/wildflowers-northern-california-
coast/?id=66160771

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Reyes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Reyes © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Reyes

25

1/6/2013

Rainfall: Point Reyes Point Reyes: northern
Maritime chaparral at Point Reyes
maritime chaparral 
intergrades with mixed evergreen forest
and is bordered by coast redwood
(Sequoia sempervirens) groves and
riparian woodlands
Our rainfall
 Common maritime chaparral species at
Point Reyes include Eastwood's
manzanita (Arctostaphylos
glandulosa), glossyleaf manzanita
(Arctostaphylos nummularia), chamise
(Adenostoma fasciculatum), giant
chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla),
http://www.meetup.com/bay-areakayakers/events/12581031/

buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), and
chaparral pea (Pickeringia montana). Also
of importance in this vegetation type are
the rare species Bolinas Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos virgata), Point Reyes
ceanothus (Ceanothus gloriosus var.
Much cooler summers as well - exaltatus), and Mason's ceanothus
(Ceanothus masonii).
highs in the 50’s © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.math.cmu.edu/~pikhurko/Gallery/110320PointReyes/33.html http://roadjournals.viamagazine.com/2012/01/17/point-reyes-national-seashore-
hiking-tamales-point-trail/

* Point Reyes Ceanothus – Ceanothus gloriosus * Point Reyes Ceanothus – Ceanothus gloriosus
 North Coast (Marin, Sonoma
Counties), San Francisco Bay,
north Central Coast
 var. porrectus (Mt. Vision
ceanothus) - rare variety endemic
to Marin County in the vicinity of
Point Reyes

 var. gloriosus (glory mat) - smaller
mat-forming variety known mainly
from Marin County

 Seaside bluffs and the slopes of
the coastal mountains

 Coastal Bluff scrub, closed cone
conifer forest, coastal dunes,
coastal scrub below 1700'
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8u9p--NTHGj834b-n31gzg

26

1/6/2013

Ceanothus gloriosus: varieties differ in height, habit Flowers: prolific
 Size:  Blooms: in spring, usually Mar-Apr in
 2-6 ft tall (depends on var.) western L.A. County
 6-12+ ft wide
 Flowers:
 Growth form:  Cluster of small flowers typical of
the ceanothus
 Var exaltatus: large shrub
 Medium blue color – gives a nice
 Var. gloriosus: low, almost http://www.easybloom.com/plantlibrary/plant/point-reyes-creeper
pastel look to spring garden
http://beling.net/articles/about/Ceanothus_gloriosus mat-like groundcover, but  Loaded with blooms
may be mounded
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 Pollinated by bumblebees and
 Bark red aging to gray other large bees
 Evergreen; fairly fast growth
 Fruits: knobby, dry capsule – birds
 Foliage: eat the seeds
 Leaves bright, fresh to  Vegetative reproduction: stems
medium green, shiny on top root where they touch ground
 May be toothed like holly
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/cegl2a.htm

 Soils: Ceanothus gloriosus: Ground cover for:
Plant Requirements  Texture: sandy or rocky best
 Under trees
 pH: any local
 Parking strips
 Light:  Side yards
 Full sun only on immediate coast
 Front yard: with natural
 Afternoon shade needed in most associates Baccharis pilularis,
gardens
Diplacus aurantiacus, Frangula
 Water: californica, Sedum spathulifolium,
 Winter: supplement it needed; Rhamnus californica
gets 30”/year or so in nature
 Summer: likes some summer
http://atlantis.mendocino.edu/jxerogeanes/Plant%20ID2/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=301&Ro
otFolder=%2Fjxerogeanes%2FPlant%20ID2%2FWeek%207

water – Zone 2 or 2-3 best in
local gardens

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

 Other: organic mulch

http://www.metrofieldguide.com/portfolio/flowering/ceanothusgloriosus/ceanothu
sgloriosus.htm
http://www.wallyhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_1727.jpg

27

1/6/2013

Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Anchor Bay’, Mendecino County
'Anchor Bay'  Anchor Bay lies in the heart of the
 Very dense, low-growing and
"banana belt", because of its unique
spreading selection microclimate; a warm column of air from
 More compact than species: ~ 2 ft
inland spills over the protective coastal
tall and spreads 6-8 feet. mountains, making the area warmer, with
 Darker blue flowers than the
less fog and wind than the surrounding
species. areas.
 More adaptable to a range of
garden soils

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/new_botimages/large/0102_j.jpg © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70207652@N00/page8/ http://www.california-blog.com/photos-information-places/tag/anchor-bay-ca

Ceanothus gloriosus Planting and spacing: be sure you check
‘Heart’s Desire’ the ultimate size before you plant
 Dense groundcover 6"-12"  Many woody groundcovers get
high x 5' wide very big – give them the room
 Very adaptable to garden they need to grow
soils, watering, being  Hard to contain them by
trampled, etc. pruning
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-gloriosus-hearts-desire

 Will become more mounded if
they interact with other
plants

 Choose fast-growing cultivars
if quick coverage is needed

 Mulch, mulch, mulch – and re-
new mulch
http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2011/10/planting-time-plant-sale-time.html

http://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/california-natives-part-3-
groundcovers-manzanitas-ceanothus/

28

1/6/2013

Why did my groundcover plant grow so Jug Handle State Park
tall? It was supposed to be short!!!!@@@ provides some answers
 S. of Ft. Bragg
 Genetic dwarfs
 Each of five ancient terraces
 Plants stunted by environmental
represents one stage in a
conditions
progression of successional
 Wind
environments.
 Salt spray/salty soils
 Sandy soils  Terraces formed at intervals of
 Low soil fertility - serpentine approximately 100,000 years and
 Acidic soils involved about 100 feet of uplift
 ‘shallow soils’ – close to bedrock or to form each of the terraces.
hardpan
 Provides a rare opportunity to
 Herbivory – ‘animal pruning’
view ecological succession and
 A combination of genetic and landscape evolution in a CA
environmental causes coastal environment.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/downloads/reports/FinalReportD
© Project SOUND escriptionAndInterpretation.pdf © Project SOUND

 Some terraces include Soil chemistry and effect on plant growth
But there’s more….. pygmy forest communities –
right next to the same  Analyses of pygmy forest soils show low levels
species that are of normal of macro— and micro—nutrients, and high
size levels of exchangeable aluminum, which limits
the ability of plants to grow. Low pH
 This allows us to see the conditions support formation of an iron
effect of specific aspects hardpan, preventing the trees from setting
of the environment that are deep roots and preventing internal drainage of
soil water.
associated with stunted http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_forest

growth
 As a result, the pine trees in the area are
 In this case, there are rarely more than three or four feet high, in a
several factors: sort of natural bonsai effect. Many of the
 Shallow soils tree trunks, though only an inch thick, contain
 Low pH
80 or more growth rings. Only yards away, but
with younger soils, the same species of tree
 Nutrient depletion
grows many dozens of feet high.
 High levels of Aluminum

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=3410677


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1/6/2013

Lessons from the Central & N. Coast Summary: Envi stresses
 Decreased mineral nutrition
 Nutrient-poor soils
 Plants tend to be shorter;  Leached/sandy
growth habit  Just poor nutrient value – sepentine
 Competition (with weeds and other
 Overall moisture requirements plants)
 Factors effecting root growth
 Moisture patterns  Shallow soils
 Soils at pH extremes
 Soil water extremes
 Soils
 Other stresses
 Repeated injury:
 Herbivory
 Disease
 Pruning/bonsai
 Wind/blowing sand
 Salt
http://www.mrfs.net/trips/2005/Northern_California/Redwood_Coast/Redwood_Coast.ht
ml  Air pollution

We hope you’ve enjoyed our trip up the coast

Be a part of ‘Mother Nature’s Backyard
http://www.bon-voyage.co.uk/destinations/california_holidays/itineraries © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

30

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