Concern: We moved here from the Chicago location in 2015 to be closer to our child and her family. I’m lastly prepared to start recreating the garden I left behind, however my child says I should not grow the flowers I love (peonies, lilies, etc) here in Sonoma County. Why not?
Response: While it might be appealing to include old favorites to your garden, choosing plants that fit your regional climate has lots of benefits.
The expression “ideal plant, best location” informs us to create charm in our gardens with the plants that fit our gardens’ unique conditions, consisting of climate, soil, light and wetness levels. It’s also about proper positioning, thinking about the size a plant will be at maturity (particularly important with our area’s danger of fires). That may be why your child discouraged you from planting your old favorites here.
For example, some peonies may discover a Sonoma County garden unwelcoming. According to the American Peony Society, peonies grow finest in USDA Strength zones 3 to 8, which have cool climates and extended periods of winter season chill that help buds set.
Sonoma County has a Mediterranean climate that’s epitomized by mild, wet winter seasons and hot, dry summers. The American Peony Society likewise states peonies need the most moisture in spring and fall, which takes place to be when rain is lessening or nonexistent in Sonoma County. In light of our prolonged drought, you can see why our local conditions would be tough on a few of the plants you grew in Chicago.
This isn’t to say you can’t have a gorgeous garden here. “Right plant, best location” means choosing plants that grow in your environment.
Four other regions on the planet share our regional climate type, and all are on the western edge of continents in approximately the very same latitude: Chile, Southwestern Australia, the Cape region of South Africa and the Mediterranean basin, from which this climate type gets its name.
In each of these locations, summers are hot and dry and winter seasons are mild with irregular rains. Selecting plants that flourish in among these areas will offer your brand-new garden the best opportunity of success.
You’ll have a large range of stunning and exotic plants to select from, consisting of proteas, agapanthuses, crocosmias, kniphofias, nerines and common herbs like rosemary, fennel and sage.
Make sure to include California native plants in your style. Not only have actually these adjusted to our climate over countless years, they also supply crucial food and shelter to local birds, bees, butterflies and other pests that pollinate our fruit, vegetables and gardens.
There’s more to “ideal plant, best place” than choosing a plant from a similar climate. Comprehending your garden’s soil structure, light and moisture conditions is likewise important.
In Sonoma County, your garden might have rocky soil, which tends to drain well. Plants with low-water requirements, such as salvias, agastaches and lavenders, don’t tolerate soggy soil however can prosper in rocky, well-drained soil.
Nevertheless, if you have clay soil, which tends to retain water, there are plants that are better-adapted to wet conditions, such as black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) or foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophylla).
Also, think about how much light your garden gets throughout the day and which direction your garden deals with. Light in Sonoma County can be extreme, especially in the summertime. The plants you pick may have very various light requirements.
Most of all, pay attention to just how much water your new plants require. Using plants from areas with a Mediterranean climate won’t guarantee dry spell tolerance, as some plants from these areas need more water than others. Offered our dry climate and current dry spell, focus on plants that need little to no water.
If you should grow peonies and lilies, consider California native types of these plants. While not as big or snazzy as the peonies you had in Chicago, the low-maintenance California peony (Paeonia californica) can be appealing, with its deep red petals and gold endurances. Many of our native lilies likewise can add grace to your garden, consisting of the Humboldt’s lily (Lilium humboldtii), coast lily (Lilium maritimum) and tiger lily (Lilium pardalinum).
Despite which plants you select, remember to plant in fall to decrease watering and provide roots a running start before summer season comes. And thank your daughter for providing you smart recommendations.
For more information on planting in the Sonoma County environment, go to bit.ly/ 3rbbJyM or bit.ly/ 3LQN9fW.
For information on California Natives, go to bit.ly/ 3fkl8kV.
Factors to today’s column were Patricia Rosales and Rob Williams. The UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County (sonomamg.ucanr.edu) provides ecologically sustainable, science-based horticultural details to Sonoma County home garden enthusiasts. Send your gardening questions to [email protected]. You will receive responses to your concerns either in this paper or from our Info Desk. You can contact the Information Desk straight at 707-565-2608 or [email protected].
Source: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/right-plant-right-place-for-sonoma-county-gardening/