by Penny Pawl, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
According to a long-term forecast I heard recently, we may not see substantial rain until April and could be facing drought by summer. With that possibility in mind, you can take steps now to help your plants survive.
First, don't rake up those leaves. They protect the soil, help retain moisture and slowly break down and improve the soil.
I cover my vegetable beds with plain cardboard and leaves for the same purpose. Worms adore cardboard glue and will come to the area, add their manure to the soil and aid the soil bacteria. Worm droppings, also called worm gold, is expensive so it's smart to encourage worms in your garden.
If the cardboard has not completely decomposed when you are ready to plant, just cut a hole in the cardboard for the plant. Several years ago, I did an experiment and planted some plants in plain soil and the rest in holes in cardboard that I laid for that purpose. The ones planted in cardboard did better as the soil retained more moisture.
If you have space, dig a few swales. You can make them artful by putting in curves and planting drought-tolerant plants on the edges. When it rains, runoff will be captured in the swales rather than in the gutter and will slowly percolate into the soil. Ideally, runoff should drain in three days to avoid standing water that attracts mosquitos. And your garden will benefit by having water stored a few feet below the soil surface. Some people fill in their swales with sticks, straw or other material and cover them, but I like to see when the swales are full of rainwater.
Do some research on drought-tolerant plants from other regions of the world with a Mediterranean climate. Also consider California native plants, which have evolved to require little water. About three years ago, I planted Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), which is native to the island of Madeira. I haven't watered it in two years and it just keeps going. Other choices may not be this hardly and may need water occasionally, especially when first planted.
Group plants with similar water needs so you can irrigate more strategically. Sunset's Western Garden Book can advise you on the water requirements of a plant you're considering. You can also find a chart on the water needs of plants at https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum-all-stars
Set up a rain harvesting area. I devised two different systems some years ago and both work well. They are attached to downspouts and collect rainwater for use on my plants. I don't have pumps on either system, but I built them higher than ground level so they drain well. Make sure to use screens or other covers where the water collects to foil mosquitos.
When you do irrigate, water deeply. The feeder roots of most plants are deep in the ground. Water that just penetrates the first few inches of soil won't reach the feeder roots on most plants.
If you're designing a new landscape, choose paths over concrete walkways. Paths allow rainwater to soak into the soil. Choose gravel, bark mulch or steppingstones, all of which allow water to penetrate.
And remember to compost, compost, compost. You can make your own or purchase finished compost. Compost is not a great fertilizer, but it improves soil tilth, so your soil will retain more water. Work compost into the soil. In contrast, materials used for mulch should remain on top of the soil to minimize evaporation, keep the soil cooler and control weeds. Weeds will steal water from plants so controlling weeds is important.
Be sure to deadhead most of your spent flowers, although you may want to leave some to benefit the birds. Setting seed takes energy so a plant that isn't deadheaded may require more water.
Napa Library Talks: First Thursday of each month. Register to get Zoom link. http://ucanr.edu/wildlifehabitat2020
Got Garden Questions? Contact our Help Desk. The team is working remotely so please submit your questions through our diagnosis form, sending any photos to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org or leave a detailed message at 707- 253-4143. A Master Gardener will get back to you by phone or email. For more information visit http://napamg.ucanr.edu or find us on Facebook or Instagram, UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
![Fall leaves, another look. (reuthes.com) Fall leaves, another look. (reuthes.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75211.png)
![Cardboard in the garden. (Jon Moore Unsplash) Cardboard in the garden. (Jon Moore Unsplash)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75200.jpg)
![Cardboard with leaves. (gardenprofessors.com) Cardboard with leaves. (gardenprofessors.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75201.jpg)
![Swale--keep a little rainwater in the garden. (ucanr.edu) Swale--keep a little rainwater in the garden. (ucanr.edu)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75202.jpg)
![Pride of Madeira. (designwithplants.com) Pride of Madeira. (designwithplants.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75203.jpg)
![Sunset Western Garden book (sunset.com) Sunset Western Garden book (sunset.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75204.jpg)
![UC Davis Arboretum All Stars (available at the website as a pdf). (arboretum.ucdavis.edu) UC Davis Arboretum All Stars (available at the website as a pdf). (arboretum.ucdavis.edu)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75205.jpg)
![One way to collect rainwater. (askbobcarrcom) One way to collect rainwater. (askbobcarrcom)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75206.png)
![Another rainwater collection. (brooklynfarmgirl.com) Another rainwater collection. (brooklynfarmgirl.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75207.jpg)
![Unpaved paths keep rainwater in your garden. (womansweekley.com) Unpaved paths keep rainwater in your garden. (womansweekley.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75208.jpg)
![Compost, good for soil tilth. (rodaleinstitute.org) Compost, good for soil tilth. (rodaleinstitute.org)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75209.jpg)
![Deadheading--put them in your own compost pile. (cottonwoodland.com) Deadheading--put them in your own compost pile. (cottonwoodland.com)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75210.jpg)
![Fall leaves, keep them! (Courtney Smith Unsplash) Fall leaves, keep them! (Courtney Smith Unsplash)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/75199.jpg)
by Penny Pawl, U.C. Master Gardener of Napa County
Oh no, I've done it again. I have fallen in love with a plant and its beautiful flowers. I planted it; it grew well and then I discovered that it is on the invasive plant list. What to do? And why is this plant on the list?
Many of the wonderful plants that I have planted over the years are on this list. How do authorities create this list? Some of those plants include pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), mullein (Verbascum),butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), Watsonia and privet (Ligustrum spp).
Most gardeners are aware that bamboo is invasive. Years ago, my husband and I planted bamboo in a wine barrel. Because we knew it had a spreading habit, we set the barrel on cement blocks. A few months later we noticed that a stem had come out the bottom of the barrel and was inching its way across the soil toward our house. Bye bye, bamboo.
Scotch broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) is probably the most notorious problem plant. It has taken over entire areas of our state and moved up the coast into Washington. It is also a problem in many other states. I have read about groups going out to remove this plant from parks and other wild areas.
Scotch broom spreads by the root system. The roots have nitrogen-fixing bacteria so the plant grows all year. It also produces large amounts of seed. If left alone, it will take over and crowd out native plants.
Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) is native to the island of Madeira. I visited there a few years ago, saw the plant and fell in love with its tall purple spires. I planted one about two years ago. It has grown well and has not needed water or care. It bloomed this year, and the bees and other pollinators were in heaven.
Before I planted more, I decided to check its status. Alas, it is also on the California list of invasive plants. Each one of those little purple flowers produces lots of seeds which take root easily in our soils.
I do not plan to remove it, so I went out one evening as the flowers faded and before the seeds set, and cut it back. I did it at that time of day to avoid the bees and other insects. I will need to repeat this every year to keep pride of Madeira from becoming a pest in my garden and my neighbors' gardens.
A couple of years ago I snipped two pieces of honeysuckle (Lonicera) and rooted them. They are now in barrels growing up a big trellis. When I looked for more information on this plant, which is currently in full bloom, I discovered it, too, was considered invasive. Like pride of Madeira, it produces many seeds and pollinators love it. I have to trim it after flowering to keep the seeds from spreading. It also spreads when long runners touch the ground and take root.
The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) list has been around for many years. If you are serious about preventing the spread of invasives, you should check the list before planting. You can find it on the Cal-IPC website along with photos to help with the identification.
Some of the plants in the weed category came in with New World settlers. The weeds were hitchhikers. Others such as Scotch broom were brought in because they grew so well in their native areas.
What do these plants all have in common? They are generally drought tolerant, and they produce massive amounts of seed. Birds love the seeds and spread them far and wide. Some invasive plants, such as wisteria, spread when their branches touch the ground and take root, or their root system moves around seeking water. When I trim the flowers of invasive plants, I don't put them in my compost. I put them in my brown yard-waste bin so they can be hot-composted by the city.
If, like me, you have a beautiful invasive plant growing in your garden, take care to keep it from taking over the whole garden. Otherwise, be safe and replace it with a native plant instead.
The UC Master Gardeners of Napa County are volunteers who provide University of California research-based information on home gardening. To find out more about home gardening or upcoming programs, visit the Master Gardener website (napamg.ucanr.edu). Our office is temporarily closed but we are answering questions remotely and by email. Send your gardening questions to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org or leave a phone message at 707-253-4143 and a Master Gardener will respond shortly.
/span>![Pampas grass (Direct Gardening) Pampas grass (Direct Gardening)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71356.jpg)
![Mullein (California Invasive Plant Council) Mullein (California Invasive Plant Council)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71357.jpg)
![Butterfly bush (Monrovia) Butterfly bush (Monrovia)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71358.jpg)
![Watsonia (PlantZAfrica-SANBI) Watsonia (PlantZAfrica-SANBI)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71359.jpg)
![Privet (Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM) Privet (Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71360.jpg)
![Bamboo (Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM) Bamboo (Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71361.jpg)
![Scotch broom (UC ANR) Scotch broom (UC ANR)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71362.jpg)
![Pride of Madeira (California IPC) Pride of Madeira (California IPC)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71363.jpg)
![Honeysuckle (Cheryl A. Reynolds, UC IPM) Honeysuckle (Cheryl A. Reynolds, UC IPM)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71364.jpg)
![https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profiles/ https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profiles/](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/71367.png)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The purplish-blue spiked flowers attract honey bees, bumble bees and syrphid flies.
And visitors. And photographers.
The honey bees were buzzing all over the Echium last Sunday, Feb. 16, as were syrphid flies, aka hover flies or flower flies. But a yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, preferred to hide beneath the leaf of a passionflower vine (Passiflora). Next time!
The towering Pride of Maderia, which can easily reach a height of six feet or more, is the pride of the Portuguese island of Madeira, where it's endemic. It's an evergreen bush planted as a drought-tolerant ornamental, particularly in coastal communities. It even gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Wikipedia informs us that the genus name is derived from the Greek "echion," and that the root word "echis" means "viper." Think snake. Apparently the shape of the seed resembles that of a viper's head. Another interpretation: there's an age-old belief that another Echium species, Echium vulgare, aka "Viper's Bugloss," is a remedy for the adder's bite.
However, Echium candicans is not so popular in the state of Victoria, Australia, where it is considered "a high weed risk" and its very presence prompts the Department of Primary Industries to send in the troops...er...alerts.
The first blooms of the year in Bodega, though, are cause for celebration.
And speaking of bees and blooms, you'll want to sign up for the "Pollinator Gardening Workshop, Your Sustainable Backyard,"set Saturday, March 15 at UC Davis. Hosted by the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCHU), it will take place at Giedt Hall, UC Davis campus, with a side trip to the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Garden, just west of the campus, on Bee Biology Road.
Registration is underway at on the CCHU website.
CCHU program manager Anne Schellman says that this will be an informative workshop where participants will learn:
- How to identify common bee pollinators
- How to make a landscape pollinator-friendly
- Which plants pollinators prefer
- The latest research about honey bee health and pollinator habitat
- How UC Davis helps honey bees at the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Garden
Honey bee and native pollinator specialists with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology will be among the speakers. (See previous Bug Squad blog.)
![Honey bees foraging on the Pride of Madeira at Bodega Bay. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey Honey bees foraging on the Pride of Madeira at Bodega Bay. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/20732.jpg)
![Honey bee targeting an Echium. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Honey bee targeting an Echium. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/20733.jpg)
- Author: Trisha Rose
Got a fascination for fastuosum? One of my favorite plants has been Echium fastuosum also known as Pride of Madeira. It is in glorious bloom right now all over Solano County. It grows with abandon at the Vallejo waterfront and throughout its many neighborhoods. Although it seems to be a common plant in our area, this place continues to be a car stopper, literally. There aren't many plants that bring folks to the front door with the same question. What is that plant with the big purple plumes and can I have a piece for my garden!? I am not kidding. This has happened twice in the past week. Fortunately, Echium doesn't mind a little pruning at all. This very hardy perennial thrives in our local, so similar to the Mediterranean coast, alongside the Carquinez Strait. It gets just enough moisture to remain healthy and brings the stupendous blooms each and every year. I have seen many plants in the 6 to 7 foot range with a breadth of equal volume. The long grey green leaves remain throughout the year and provide a nice looking shrub throughout the year.
![echium echium](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/10977.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's called the "Pride of Madeira" but don't let that name fool you.
True, it's the pride of the Portuguese island of Madeira, where it's endemic, but it's also the joy of Bodega Bay.
"What's that purplish spiked flower that grows somewhat like a yucca or a tower of jewels?" visitors ask. "It's all over the Bodega area."
It's not a yucca, which belongs to the agave family, Agavaceae. It's an Echium candicans, a member of the family Boraginaceae. It's a kissing cousin of Echium wildpretti, or the tower of jewels.
Last Sunday visitors to the Sonoma County coastal town enjoyed the warmth of a spring day and those spectacular blue-to-the-bone-and-purple-as-you-please blooms. An extra bonus: an occasional bumble bee.
Native pollinator specialist Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, identified the bumble bee below as Bombus melanopygus.
This little forager found the Pride of Madeira and the Joy of Bodega Bay.
![Bombus melanopygus heading toward the Pride of Madeira, Echium candicans. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Bombus melanopygus heading toward the Pride of Madeira, Echium candicans. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/6726.jpg)
![Peek-a-bee: Bombus melanopygus peers beneath the petals of an Echium candicans, also known as the Pride of Madeira. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Peek-a-bee: Bombus melanopygus peers beneath the petals of an Echium candicans, also known as the Pride of Madeira. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/6727.jpg)
![Top view of a Bombus melanopygus on an Echium candicans, also known as the Pride of Madeira. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Top view of a Bombus melanopygus on an Echium candicans, also known as the Pride of Madeira. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/6728.jpg)