Descanso GardenClub

Native Plants

CREAM CUPS

Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus). Upright herbaceous annual. This is an attractive California native. It will grow nicely along a roadway or driveway edge or in a dry border. It does need to be protected from rabbits.

• CULTIVATION:
  • Location: Plant in partial shade or full sun.
  • Soil: Any.
  • Water: Let the winter rains take over.
  • End of season care: Collect seeds after they ripen.
• PROPAGATION: Cream Cups may be started from seed in late fall. Broadcast or place seed where the plant is to grow. Water after seeding. It should reseed itself.
• SOURCES: Specialty mail order sources or collected locally.

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CALIFORNIA POPPY

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Perennial; annual in colder winters. Blooms close at night. Plants fade and turn dry after they go to seed. Plant in drifts in cultivated areas. Does well when naturalized in dry areas. Drought resistant, however it blooms better with some summer water.
Plant developers have developed some garden forms that are showy in borders. Look for "Sunset Strain", "Silk Strain", " Mission Bells", or "Ballerina". These are not quite as drought tolerant as the species.

• CULTIVATION:
  • Location: Plant in partial shade or full sun.
  • Soil: Any.
  • Water: Let soil dry a bit, then provide deep watering.
  • End of season care: Collect seeds after they ripen.
• PROPAGATION: California poppy may be started from seed in late fall. Broadcast or place seed where the plant is to grow. Water after seeding. It should reseed itself.
• SOURCES: Anyplace seeds may be sold.

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CHECKER FLOWER

Checker flower(Sidalcea malvaflora) is an upright herbaceous annual. This is a Descanso native and grows along road banks in many locations. Look for it in the spring along Boulder Creek road, or along Highway 79 going to Julian. It will grow nicely along a roadway or driveway edge or in a dry border.

• CULTIVATION:
  • Location: Plant in partial shade or full sun.
  • Soil: Any.
  • Water: Let the winter rains take over.
  • End of season care: Collect seeds after they ripen.
• PROPAGATION: Checker Flower may be started from seed in late fall. Broadcast or place seed where the plant is to grow. Water after seeding. It should reseed itself.
• SOURCES: Specialty mail order sources or collected locally.

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California Fuchsia

California Fuchsia (Epilobium californicum ) is a perennial California native, which blooms in fall. It is dormant in winter and can be grown in our local gardens. Extremely drought tolerant

• CULTIVATION:
  • Location: Plant in partial shade or full sun.
  • Soil: Any.
  • Water: Let the winter rains take over.
  • End of season care: Collect seeds after they ripen.
• PROPAGATION: California Fuchsia is not easy to start from seed although it is available from some sources. Plant purchased or homegrown four-inch containers in the early summer or after our hot summer season. It grows into a large, spreading plant, and the tips root themselves into loamy soils. It is difficult to start from cuttings.
• SOURCES: Specialty mail order sources for native plant seeds.

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