- Author: Edie Warkentine
Since last July, the Master Gardeners have been working diligently at the ESVC native plant demonstration garden. We have removed the huge weeds (largely bassia) that had overtaken the garden and continue to monitor the area to restrict the growth of new weeds. Some wild mallow continues to try to grow in the open areas of the garden, and Harold with his hula hoe has managed to keep it in check. We have worked on the irrigation system, shutting off the excessive water that has been killing some of the beavertail and cholla. At our last visit, we transplanted some of the plants and hope to see them flourish in the future.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we were unable to return to the garden during the 2020 spring bloom, so we were an excited group of gardeners when we arrived at the garden for our May 1 work party. We were not disappointed!
Spring is indeed the season for flowering natives. The wild roses are all open. The apricot mallow, purple sage, rose penstemmon, sulfur buckwheat and Palmer's penstemmon are a sight to behold. In addition to the flowering plants, many of the trees and bushes have leafed out. Visitors can enjoy fern bush, desert willow, rabbitbrush, and a variety of native grasses.
Different plants in the garden should be blooming for the next few months. Drop by and enjoy your surroundings if you have a chance! The bookstore at the ESVC is now open seven days a week, so the gates are usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be sure to double check dates and times before your visit as they may change.
- Author: Edie Warkentine
During a February work party at the ESVC, we noticed that the roses were already beginning to bloom. That signaled “time to prune!” Accordingly, at our next work party, four Master Gardeners took the first steps at training and feeding the roses that line the entry at the ESVC.
The ESVC entry was designed to promote an arbor of yellow climbing roses. A rose was planted at the base of each of the four pillars. Over the years, the roses have grown, but due to the Covid-19 shutdown and other circumstances, they had not been trained. At our work party, each Master Gardener worked on one of the four roses, and pruned to promote growth up and over the arbor. Where possible, branches were draped over the arbor. Pruning was designed to open the center of the rose and encourage upward growth, with an emphasis on no more than 3-4 major canes for each plant. We finished the day with fertilizer and a good soaking. Two Master Gardeners returned the following week to complete the pruning and training efforts.
Less than two months later, the results of our efforts were apparent. Lush cascades of yellow blooms greet visitors to the ESVC. Some of the roses have started to spread on the overhead arbor. We have removed the grasses that were invading the water wells at the bottom of each plant and fertilized again. Only time will tell whether the roses will have a second and even a third bloom this season. By next year, with additional growth, training, pruning, and feeding, we anticipate an even more spectacular display of roses.
- Author: Dustin Blakey
Here are some photos from the beginning of this project. Looking back at these images is a great way to gauge our progress.
- Author: Edie Warkentine
About the Site
The garden was planted in three distinct zones, representing the areas attracting visitors to the visitors' center: (1) the Mojave Desert, (2) the Owens Valley, and (3) the Sierra Foothills.
Soil was amended to provide appropriate habitat for the three types of plants: (1) Type I (Mojave Desert) 60% Topsoil – 40% sand; (2) Type II (Owens Valley) Ripped. 100% Topsoil (3) Type III (Sierra Foothills): 50% Topsoil – 30% sand, 20% Decomposed granite.
A plant list was developed in consultation with the Inyo National Forest botanists. See attached documents below.
Garden Plans
These are photographs of the original documents detailing the site's plans.
Plant Lists
Shown below are lists of the plants selected for the site.
Each list focuses on a region: List 1 is Mojave, List 2 is Owens Valley, and List 3 is Sierra.
Plant List 1
Plant List 2
Plant List 3
- Author: Dustin Blakey
The volunteers have been hard at work on the visitor center project. Recently the group did some much needed pruning.
Here are some photos of the day's efforts.
