Through the Garden Gate

Spring Forward
Dare we say the “D” word: drought? No, not yet, as December brought our reservoirs up to capacity. My garden, however, is looking a bit dry and I am deep watering the salvias, wild rose, buckeyes, ceanothus, and manzanitas that I planted last fall.
February, with its warm sunny days has initiated the amazing process of regeneration of leaves and some blooms. The currant (Ribes) species are starting to drip with pink blossoms and the light green leaves have burst their covering sheaths. A few of the Salvia brandegii are blooming and the rosemarys are in full flower, their blue blossoms buzzing with honey bees. I see Anna’s hummingbirds working the pretty, upside-down, urn shaped flowers on the manzanitas. Goes to show what we need to plant to keep our little insects and birds well fed and happy in the late winter of Sonoma County.
A big chore for me in March will include raking large amounts of oak leaves and moving them downhill to the California natives area as mulch. Salvias, asters, sedums ‘Autumn Joy,’ lobelias, gauras, and goldenrods all need beheading. I could leave their dead tops, but I am tired of looking at the parts of my cottage garden that are brown and stiff. I will cut them back, break the tops into smaller pieces and remove to the compost pile. I will use some of the tops as mulch in the wilder areas of my yard.
If no rain falls in the next few weeks, I may activate the sprinkling system for one or two waterings. The older natives are probably okay, but some of the newly planted perennials will appreciate a soaking. Turning on the watering system is a good time to check for leaks and clogs so you can repair them before the weather becomes really summery.
Over the last several years, I have planted many coral bells (Heuchera maxima) along the semi-shady north side of the house. They bloom beautifully for one, maybe two seasons, then suddenly die—yes, suddenly—one day alive, and overnight dead. I have been told by Phil VanSoelen of CalFlora that a vine weevil is the cause, the little grubs eat the roots, and once you have them, you will always have them. I love heucheras and need to come up with a low-growing perennial that will like the shade. Too much sun for ferns, besides, I want flowers. Perhaps California coneflowers (Rudbeckia californica); maybe our wonderful native irises (Iris douglasiana); perhaps cardinal monkeyflowers (Mimulus cardinalis); lots of columbines. I am still working on the solution.
If you like a tidy yard, after your daffodils and narcissus are through blooming, leave the yellowed foliage to feed the bulb, but you can gather it together and tie it back with garden tape or a rubber band.
March is the end of the bare-root season, so a quick trip to your nursery is in order if you want to get fruit trees, vines, roses, and more into the ground before they leaf out.
Bare-root plantings adapt quickly to the native soil, rather than being raised in the special soil used by growers. They are cheaper than potted up plants and easy to handle.
I am still pulling out Scotch and French broom seedlings from the soft soil. I have heard from many sources that the seeds persist in soil for up to fifty years. How can one deal with that! Just keep pulling.
Happy Gardening! jo*******@co*****.net.