Why California Native Plants Make Sense

There are many reasons why using California native plants is a good idea, let’s take a look at why you should be considering using them.
Many California Natives can help you save water. Sagebrush Scrub, Southern Oak Woodland and Chaparral community plants (which are all great for Santa Clarita) are low water plants, so utilizing them in your garden will help you reduce your water footprint.
California Native plants support California native wildlife and ecology. The connection between, plants, soil, and wildlife such as insects and birds has been studied many times over, and the conclusions are simple. Natives support one another and create
California Native plants can help you reduce your maintenance chores. When using local natives you can count on using little to no fertilizer, less pruning (if properly spaced) little to no pesticides, less water, and overall less of your time.
California Native plants allow you to view beautiful wildlife in your own garden. If you plant them, they will come! Plant some milkweed and watch what happens, caterpillars, butterflies, and a host of gorgeous milkweed bugs! Don’t pick the aphids off, the beneficial insects will take care of that for you in no time. Plant some California fuchsia and those hummingbirds to enjoy their autumn in your garden.
If properly spaced and irrigated California native plants can allow you to be pesticide free. Many Cali natives have developed their own resistance to pests, and in conjunction with native insects and the soil can create an ecosystem that can take care of anything that is thrown at them.
California native plants give you a ton of help, but that doesn’t mean that you should ignore them, be sure you get to know how your plants should look, and spend some time checking in on them. Since you’ll be outside enjoying more that will be easy for you to do!
Julie Molinare is a Landscape Designer living in the Santa Clarita for over 20 years. Julie taught the Introduction to Landscape Design Class @ CSUN Tseng College of Extended Learning and is Owner/Designer of The Grass Is Always Greener Designs 661-917-3521 www.thegrassisalwaysgreener.net