Selecting Native Plants for Your Garden

New Workshop Series at Tree of Life Nursery Fall 2009

Choosing natives that are appropriate for varying garden situations can be intimidating.  Tree of Life is here to help!  The Selecting Native Plants for your Garden series will be kicking off on the first Saturday that Casa ‘La Paz’ will be open: September 19th.

This series includes six different workshops addressing various site situations and design goals.  Our knowledge and experience working with California natives certainly makes the selection process easier, and we hope to effectively pass on this expertise to you, our customers – new and old.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 – 10:00 AM
Plant Selection: Year-round Color
If you plant native plants to help you save water and attract wildlife do you have to sacrifice beauty? The answer is a resounding NO! Come learn which native plants will provide year-round color and interest in your garden.  Choose native plants that will perform throughout the year while supplying excellent habitat for pollinators.

Saturday, September 26, 2009 – 10:00 AM
Plant Selection: Native Plant Communities
What are native plant communities? How can understanding plant communities help you have an attractive garden? Knowing which plants grow together naturally will give you helpful clues for what will be compatible in your garden. Designing according to plant communities will also help you create habitat in your garden, and, will make your garden easy to maintain!

Can’t make our workshop?  Download the handout here: The California Garden

Saturday, October 3, 2009 – 10:00 AM
Plant Selection: Pollinator Plants, Beneficial Insects
Pollinators include more than just beautiful native butterflies and hummingbirds. Don’t forget BUGS!  Songbirds and lizards are attracted to gardens that are herbicide-free and that have tasty bugs, too.  Come learn which native plants will attract unique, interesting and beneficial bugs to your garden.  We will be hearing from one of our most knowledgeable guest speakers, Orange County lecturer: Bob Allen.
Guest Speaker: Bob Allen.

Saturday, October 10, 2009 – 10:00 AM
Plant Selection: Special Situations – Slopes, Wet Areas, Shade
EVERY garden is special and almost every one has an area that constitutes a “special situation”. This week, we will highlight native plants that perform well in tough spots in the garden. We will be discussing native plants for wet areas, slopes and shade.  Bring your own “special situation” questions for our expert staff.

Saturday, October 17, 2009 – 10:00 AM
Plant Selection: Special Situations – Clay Soils, Hot and Dry Areas
EVERY garden is special and almost every one has an area that constitutes a “special situation”. This week, we will highlight native plants that perform well in tough spots in the garden. We will be discussing native plants for hot and dry areas as well as plants and maintenance in clay soils.  Bring your own “special situation” questions for our expert staff.

“Bring California Home” through the use of native plants, which provide authenticity, diversity and habitat for wildlife like hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects in your garden.  We hope you will join us for one or all of these workshops, also please note, we will be repeating the “Replace Your Lawn” Workshops again in the first three weeks in November, see our Calendar for more details.