- (Public Value) UCANR: Building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems
by Melody Kendall
This is the first of four articles describing plants and their care featured in the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County's low water, low maintenance area of Las Flores Learning Garden.
This little gem is a miniature fruitless olive variety whose Latin name is Olea europaea. Olives are native to the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and olive leaves are considered the enduring symbol of peace. The ‘Little Ollie' variety is evergreen and fruitless with small, insignificant flowers that still attract birds and bees in the spring. Planted in loose well-draining soil, this small olive displays dense green leaves with silver undersides. When the wind blows its leaves, shiny when new and fading into matte when mature, their silver undersides flutter and the plant appears to shimmer.
Perfectly happy in containers as patio specimen plants, trimmed and formed in hedges or just allowed to thrive “as is,” this plant needs full sun and enjoys the heat. Once established, the ‘Little Ollie' Olive needs little water, requiring only regular water during extremely dry conditions. Though virtually pest free these plants can get root rot if overwatered and sometimes suffer scale insect infestations. If these plants are left “as is” they only need occasional pruning to keep the desired 4 foot by 6 foot wide and tall globular shape. They can be trained into one or multiple trunks and as a hedge by shearing rather than hand pruning for shape. While not needing any regular amendments or fertilizers, compost added to the soil is always well received.
This plant's Latin name is Trachelosperum jasminoides and it is a member of the Dogbane or Apocynaceae family. The family name Dogbane comes from the Greek word apocynum meaning "dog-away" a reference to the fact that some taxa were used as dog poison. Also, the plants in this family, when cut, have a white milky sap that can be a skin irritant, gum up tools and stain clothing. Star jasmine is native to eastern and southeastern Asia. With bright shiny leaves, sweet smelling white flowers in spring and a vining growth habit, these plants lend themselves well to arbors and can grow to 20-30 feet when supported. They also do well as a ground covering plant growing to 3 feet tall with a 3-6 foot spread. Do be aware of the star jasmine's tendency to climb and invade surrounding plants. Plant in well-draining soil 5 feet apart in full sun. Once established, plants tolerate drought conditions with additional water during extreme heat. star jasmine is virtually pest free with only mealy bugs, sooty mold and scale a slight possibility. Fertilizing isn't recommended as application tends to reduce production of its sweet-smelling flowers, though compost is well received at any time. Pruning this plant depends on how it is displayed. If it is flowing up a fence or trellis, keep the wild shoots trimmed back to keep the form and to help reduce the weight on the structure. As a ground cover, contain the total size of the plant to keep the vines from overwhelming neighboring plants. A hedge trimmer works well to maintain both the vertical and horizontal growing methods.
Latin name Muhlenbergia capillaris, pink muhly grass is a member of the grass plant family and native to Florida and Eastern U.S. This plant is evergreen in temperate areas and deciduous in colder climates. The pink muhly grass's long narrow upright leaves and stems lend vertical interest to the garden and in containers when mixed with other plants. In the late fall this grass plant grows stems 12 inches tall that sport fluffy, feathery pink blooms. When planted singly, in clumps in the garden or on hillsides to prevent erosion, this display of pink cotton candy like blooms is quite spectacular. Pink muhly grass doesn't like wet feet so plant in well-draining soil in full sun. Once established, water sparingly but remember to water more regularly in very dry conditions. This grass plant has few pests, is deer resistant and attracts ladybugs. Seeming to thrive on neglect, the management of pink muhly grass is very easy. As with the other two plants, fertilizer isn't needed. If the grass goes dormant in the late winter, they can be cut to within 6 inches from the ground. In different climate zones of Napa Valley some go dormant and others remain green all year. This grass can be divided into smaller clumps and replanted if they get too large in late winter. If they remain green the removal of spent blooms is all that is required, though the spent blooms provide late winter seeds for the birds.
In conclusion, once established, these three plants require little water and maintenance. In addition, the plants can be counted on to demonstrate visual interest sometime throughout the year.
The UC Master Gardeners and the City of Napa have joined in a partnership at the Las Flores Community Center where instructional events are planned for the last Saturday of the month through 2022. Topics will center on research-based horticultural and climate change issues by featuring water saving plants and soil care.
The first event of 2022 will be held January 29th. showcasing the low-water, low maintenance area of the garden. Next week we will talk about the trees in the garden. The Raywood Ash Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood', Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica and the Strawberry Madrone Arbutus unedo.
Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Olga Morham
Information links:
Shrub pruning UC ANR blog https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=42943
Little ollie olive https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Plant_of_the_Month/Olea_europea/
Star Jasmine https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/starjasmine.html
Pink Muhly grass https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=45732
UC IPM Mealybugs http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74174.html
Scale http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7408.html
Sooty mold http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74108.html
By Melody Kendall
After winter months with the only color in my garden coming from the bright red Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestica berries and some volunteer Field Marigold Calendula arvensis, which I have since learned is considered an invasive plant,
First up were some crocus bulbs that I hadn't remembered I planted and my variegated Daphne Odora blooming and filling the area with a lovely fragrance.
Next the grape hyacinth and my Cape balsam Bulbine frutescens showed their colors.
I had planted some ranunculus and Poppy anemone bulbs and they put on quite a show.
And, this is just the beginning. I'm trying some tulips, allium is ready to pop and even the roses are getting into the show.
Now my bougainvillea is leafing out, oriental poppy seeds are sprouting and my variegated Dogwood has little green leaf tufts at the ends of all its branches.
Information links:
UC IPM
Heavenly Bamboo http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/nandina.html
Camellia http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/camellia.html
Azalea http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r280110211.html
UC ANR blog-Spring Bulbs https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=22522
Invasive plants atlas-Field Marigold https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=22378
USDA-Plant profile-common grape hyacinth https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MUBO
UC Davis Arboretum-Cape Balsam https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/plant/cape-balsam
UCMG Santa Clara County-Sparaxis tricolor
http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/water-wise-plants/full-plant-list/?uid=99&ds=833
Pacific bulb society-Allium https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AllAlliums
Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Mel Kendall
On October 1, 2020 the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County and the City of Napa Parks & Recreation celebrated the groundbreaking of the Las Flores Learning Garden in Napa. Starting with a small area, the garden will eventually extend over the entire property adjacent to the Las Flores Community Center.
Covid-19 restrictions prevented many Master Gardener volunteers from lending a hand to plant 200+ plants in late November, but small groups, working in shifts were able to install the plants within a 4-hour window.
The UC Master Gardeners will use this area of the garden to inform and educate the Community with research-based information on the care and maintenance of each particular type of vegetation.
Educational materials are being created daily and will soon be loaded onto the UCMG public website https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucmgnapa/ Las Flores Learning Garden page. We hope you stop by the facility and check out the information on our website to get the full benefit from this wonderful addition to our beautiful valley.
Arbutus unedo
Strawberry Madrone
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/arbutus-unedo
Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'
Crape Myrtle
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/lagerstroemia-indica-catawba
Abelia grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
Kaleidoscope Abelia
https://www.sunsetwesterngardencollection.com/the-collection/plant/kaleidoscope
Arctostaphylos edmundsii
Little Sur Manzanita
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/arctostaphylos-edmundsii
Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet'
Emerald Carpet Manzanita
https://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/arctostaphylos-emerald-carpet
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'
Meyerei fern
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=241940
Cornus sericea 'Olive and Gold'
Yellow Twig Dogwood
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c330
Loropetalum chinense
Red Loropetalum
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=263296
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pink Muhly Grass
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b457
Olea Europa 'Little Ollie'
Little Ollie olive
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1894/little-ollie-dwarf-olive
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Star Jasmine
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a155
Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Plans by UC Master Gardeners of Napa County
I am inspired by the recent article, “The Zen of Gardening” by Edward S. Lopez in the latest issue of Spill the Beans. The author points out the positive value of gardening on our emotional well being. During my training to become a Master Gardener, I had to miss a day when the topic was about soil. I did makeup reading and video-watching and reported on the importance of soil – not just in gardening, but on our well-being and how much soil and brain ecosystems can be compared.
Soil needs major, minor and micronutrients. And, even when one carefully considers planting, the soil can, over time, become depleted. Testing soil pH level measures how acidic or basic it is, adjusting the pH can either bind or make nutrients more available to plants. pH is measured from 0-14. Under 7.0 means the soil is acidic and above means it's basic or alkaline. The middle (between 6.5 and 7.5) is neutral and what most plants prefer.
If you discover issues with your soil composition, compost may do the trick since it builds nutrients and organic matter. Compost can be made at home or purchased commercially. In the same way you're careful of what you consume, be sure to use a quality compost. The soil and the brain need quality nutrients to thrive.
To be sure to combine soil and compost at the optimal combination, replenish compost on a regular schedule. Here's another place to compare soil to the brain: The human cortex is the 6-layer, less than 5mm outer, “crust” of the human brain. Just like the brain, in which the cortex is the vital area that makes the person who they are, it's the topsoil that makes the garden what it is.
The brain and soil subsist in layers. Bacteria and actinomycetes live in the deepest layers of soil – similarly, the subcortex of the human brain consists of billions of microscopic neurons and cells. In soil, protozoa, nematodes, mites, springtails, rotifers and tardigrades live within the middle layers. In the brain, this would be equivalent to the deeper cortical structures – important to our emotional well-being and for the most part, the connectors between the deepest and outermost layers. In soil, the top-most layers contain insects, myriapods, spiders, diplurans, worms, snails and slugs.
Within a teaspoon of healthy soil, one can find 4-8 billion bacteria, 20 million actinomycetes, 1 million fungi, 200,000 algae, and 2,500 linear feet of fungal hyphae (transporters of nutrients). These species make up the soil food chain, such that the larger species are the predators to the smaller ones. Within the same size of the brain, there are about 100,000 million neurons. These too are a “food chain” of sorts. The larger of them “speak” louder than the smaller ones and contribute more loudly to functional processes, transcribing brain function to behavior.
Equate that to the brain: This hierarchy of patterns does not reflect the historical understanding of soil and brain health, in which deader and deader things were presented as you dug deeper into the soil or brain. In fact, one can age soil with carbon dating just because of the abundance of living matter within it. The nutrients within and added to the soil will first be taken up by the needy microbiome before being consumed by the plant. In the brain, the outer cortex similarly doesn't make the deeper and subcortical areas obsolete – it enforces their processes and feeds off of them, informing the person – in the same way the rhizosphere informs the plant.
Mycobacterium vaccae, which was first discovered in cow dung, is a bacterium that lives in the soil and can now be bought in supplement form as an antidepressant. A recent study (O'Brien, 2004)1 looked at injecting M. vaccae into the lungs of cancer patients. This study failed to show that the bacterium increased immune function, its original goal. But it serendipitously confirmed that the presence of the bacterium improved mood and feelings of well-being.
Soil aggregates are divided by size: single grain to massive structures and the bigger they are, usually they are deeper in the soil layers. They are connected by fungal glomalin, which are the “glue” of microenvironments and the plants that inhabit the area. They connect plants and will even support nutrient transfer from one to the other as needed. Another fine example of how soil compares to the brain – in that the brain has hubs of neurons that network and relay communication, while soil has pores that allow nutrients, biome, and water pass through. The brain's glia, or “glue cells” are the fungal glomalin that binds the neurons together.
The brain matures until about 28 years old. Then it starts to die off (sad but true). Soil forms over many years as well. CLORT, the acronym for climate, organisms, relief (parent material), and time, explains the process. Climate (temperature, rainfall or other source of water) supports organic matter, which is moved around because of the terrain (relief) slope, which then creates the parent material (underlying structural minerals, chemicals and other physical characteristics) over time. Without nutritional support, soil will die off and be less supporting of plant health. So will the brain. Without healthy support, many pathologies will manifest. Soil health is expressed by healthy plants. Like with the brain, without caring for the microbiome, the plants will exhibit dysregulation. Staying healthy is not only about us – it's about our environment. We are companion ecosystems and our collective lives depend upon it.
Note: Beside being a recent graduate of the UC Master Gardeners of Napa training class, Cynthia Kerson is a Psychophysiologist.
Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe. Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Top, Pixabay; below, André-Ph. D. Picard / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
