Photo credit: Tece Markel
By Debbie Arrington
Guest Writer
The landscape around Loomis Library and Community Learning Center is really buzzing. Where once there was only a half-dead lawn, there’s now a wealth of wildlife – bees, birds, butterflies, and more – making the most of an abundance of native plants.
Covering about an acre, the new UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Demonstration Garden is packed with beautiful flowering plants that native wildlife needs for food and habitat. At the same time, the garden serves as a living example and outdoor classroom for local residents interested in saving water and time by putting the right plants in the right place.
“When I look at photos from a few months ago, I’m surprised by how much it’s grown!” says longtime Placer County master gardener and native plant expert Tece Markel, who helped select the many natives in the demonstration garden.
“We picked all the plants with pollinator needs in mind. About 75 to 80 percent are natives. Definitely, wildlife has found the garden,” she adds. “We’ve seen so many bees, hummingbirds, even bluebirds. During our spring open house, we spotted two female Crotch’s bumble bees – they’re endangered. So, that’s exciting, too.”
The secret to the garden’s quick success? Planting at the right time.
Photo credit: Tece Markel
Master gardeners know fall is the best time to add water-wise plants to your garden. Transplanted after the weather starts to cool in fall, shrubs, perennials, and trees have a chance to “get established” – develop deep roots – and make the most of winter rain. That prepares them to be “Summer Strong” for those dry days to come.
“There are big advantages to fall planting,” Markel explains. “It’s easier on plants. The soil temperature is still warm, but the air temperature is beginning to cool. Plants still get the sun exposure they need to put roots down. Then, they get (winter) rain and can really take off in the spring. That’s what we tried to do here.”
Planting in fall saves money, too.
“Our plants started in little 2-by-2-by-4-inch pots,” Markel observes. “In just a few months, they really caught up; they’re all bigger than if we had planted 1-gallon-size (plants).
“Fall is also the best time to plant native annuals,” she adds. “They’ll soak up that winter rain, germinate, and bloom in the spring. They’re really popular with bees, too.”
In its first spring, the demonstration garden was abloom with California poppies and two varieties of clarkias (‘Red Ribbons’ and elegant clarkia), also known as farewell to spring.
Those native annuals complemented the many water-wise shrubs, perennials and trees at the demonstration garden. Find full plant lists here: https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/Demonstration_Garden/Garden_Areas/.
“Our California fuchsias are really popping,” Markel says. “We have three different sages – Bee’s Bliss, Cleveland and hummingbird – and they’re all doing well. The western redbud is really coming along and the leafcutter bees are using its leaves; they cut little circles (in foliage) to line their nests. To see that redbud, you know the bees are nesting – and that’s exciting, too. It shows we’ve created a good habitat.”
Besides planting in fall, Markel offers this advice for creating a water-wise and wildlife-friendly garden.
“First ask yourself, what is it that you want in your garden? Do you want to see more hummingbirds? More bees?” she suggests. “Personally, I plant for birds and pollinators and choose plants that they like.”
To attract a wide range of birds, bees, and butterflies, offer them a native plant buffet.
Verbena lilacina “De La Mina’
Photo credit: Tece Markel
“Have a variety of plants, not just one kind,” she adds. “For example, different bees have different needs. They want different things. Try to match them up.
“I also try to have something blooming all year, for hummingbirds in particular. Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents and they need food every season. In late winter, for example, manzanita and currants provide them with food; they also eat little insects. I used to use feeders to attract hummingbirds; now I just use plants.”
See the demonstration garden for yourself – and ask questions from master gardeners on duty. The garden is open the same hours as the Loomis Library, making it accessible to families to regularly check plants’ progress and find inspiration. In addition, the master gardeners offer free workshops on the second Saturday morning of each month.
The Loomis Library and the demonstration garden are located at 6050 Library Drive, Loomis. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays.
Details and directions: https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/Demonstration_Garden/.
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Debbie Arrington is a longtime home and garden reporter and co-author of the blog Sacramento Digs Gardening: https://sacdigsgardening.californialocal.com/
