- Author: Andrea Peck
- Editor: Noni Todd
Grandaisy Yellow
By Andrea Peck UCCE Master Gardener
Common name: Grandaisy Yellow
Scientific name: Argyranthemum frutescens
Planting area: USDA Zones 9-11
Size: 18-24”
Bloom Season: spring to summer
Exposure: full to partial sun
Pruning needs: to promote midseason bloom
Water needs: low
Snapshot:
If you're in the market for showstopping, Grandaisy Yellow is just the ticket. Large blooms, bright yellow petals, and a teddie bear brown center make this plant the highlight of any garden. Grandaisy gives you a boost in the morning, welcomes you in the evening, and word travels insect-speed as bees and butterflies fly like the crows to visit.
Yes, the Grandaisy is indeed Grand. A vigorous flowering plant, it grows up to two feet in width and height and blooms heavily in early spring---perfect timing as we shed the doldrums of winter. It grows best in temperatures that range between 60ºF and 70ºF. Depending on your location, plant in full sun or partial sun. The Grand Lady may fade in high temperatures, but as summer approaches, we want to keep this star of the show happy.
She is not picky, however, when it comes to the dirt beneath her feet. It won't be necessary to special order soil; just the basics will do. Perhaps the swooning blooms on her head, keep her mind off of her toes, but do make sure the soil drains well. Excess moisture around her roots may cause rot. Which leads to that important California question, to which we answer ---yes, Grandaisy is drought tolerant. Just make sure to irrigate the plant under very hot, dry conditions. Like other athletes, promote maximum performance by using a well-balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer once monthly. Pruning as blooms fade will encourage a second flowering.
This plant is equally comfortable potted or in the ground. But beware if you plant her en masse, you may cause a traffic jam as your neighbors slow down to ogle the display.
There's nothing better than a bright bushy plant with a head full of sunny yellow flowers. When the experts describe it with the word 'vigor', it's even better.
Advice to Grow By Workshops
Our next Advice to Grow By Workshop will be October 21st, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Vertical Vegetable Gardening.” The workshop is free and open to the public. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.
You can view workshops on Instagram live at slo mg or visit our You Tube channel at “San Luis Obispo County UC Master Gardeners.”
Visit our website at ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ or email questions to anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
UCCE Master Gardener Helpline offices:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00)
Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)
- Author: Jutta Thoerner
- Editor: Noni Todd
Bear's Breech
By Jutta Thoerner UCCE Master Gardener
Size: 4 feet tall (6 feet in bloom) and 3 feet wide
Blooms: 2 feet flower spikes with flattened, hooded, multitoned white to lavender flowers. Blooming time is early spring.
Pruning needs: remove flower stalks after bloom.
Planting Zone: 7-10 USDA
Exposure: partial shade.
Water needs: drought resistant once established
I have several clumps of this perennial in my front yard and I always get the question: what is this? That my visitors don't know the name is understandable, since the common names: bear's breeches or britches, bears foot, oyster plant or sea dock do not describe it well. Acanthus comes from the Greek word “akantha”, translated to spine, a reference to the tall spike that caries the blooms. The large leaves have a rich glossy green and make the plant attractive when not in bloom.
In the spring, Acanthus grows the 2-3 foot spikes that have tubular white to purple flowers. These look a bit like gigantic snapdragons, due to their hooded appearance. Bees and other pollinators love them. I appreciate how long the stalks stay in bloom and that they make a great addition to larger bouquets.
So what does it take to grow Acanthus? The recommended planting zones are zones 7-10. A well-drained soil is a must; they don't like “wet feet”. They appreciate a thick layer of mulch before the colder weather sets in. Plant in partial shade. Mine are under a large tree. They can multiply via rhizomes, and it's recommended that these are planted in contained areas, where they can't spread freely. This has not been a problem in the warmer Paso Robles climate.
Once the plant is established, their water needs are minimal. Be prepared when they go dormant. All leaves dry up and you are left with a clump in the dirt. But as soon as the fall and winter rains come, the beautiful showy leaves reappear. Consider adding this low maintenance and beautiful Acanthus to your garden.
For Gardeners in the cooler parts of our county:
If you'd like to learn more about plants that grow well in the cooler coastal climate, join the UC Master Gardeners for an Open Garden Day at the Victory Garden in Oceano at the Oceano Train Depot and Victory Garden, 1650 Front Street, Oceano, September 3, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00. This is a free event, and all are welcome. There will be family friendly activities and Master Gardener volunteers will be ready to answer your gardening questions.
Advice to Grow By Workshops
Our next Advice to Grow By Workshop will be September 16th, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Turf Replacement-lawn removal and lawn alternatives.” The workshop is free and open to the public. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.
You can view workshops on Instagram live at slo mg or visit our You Tube channel at “San Luis Obispo County UC Master Gardeners.”
Visit our website at ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ or email questions to anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
UCCE Master Gardener Helpline offices:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00)
Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)
- Author: Phyllis Molnar
- Editor: Noni Todd
Wildlife Ponds
By Phyllis Molnar UCCE Master Gardener
What is a wildlife pond? It is a freshwater environment created to support and encourage wildlife including beneficial insects. A true wildlife pond does not use a water pump for air and water circulation. Instead, there is an biotic/abiotic relationship that creates its own ecosystem. Biotic factors are living organisms within an ecosystem: plants, animals, and bacteria. Abiotic factors include non-living components: water, soil and atmosphere.
Your pond can be as simple as an old wash tub, repurposed sink, oak barrel or a water trough. Larger more intricate ponds are designed with a pond liner set into the ground.
The inside of a wildlife pond is made with a base of sand or soil with layers of rocks, stones and old tree branches providing essential access for animals to climb in and out of the pond. Water plants are submerged and floating with leaves flowers or stems partially or fully submerged providing food, shelter and nesting areas. Water plants also help to keep the water clean.
Plants, rocks and wood along the edge of the pond provide habitat for visitors. A backyard wildlife pond is not the best home for large koi or goldfish that will damage water plants and attract raccoons and other mammals. Mosquito fish and mosquito dunks in the pond are used to minimize mosquito development. Avoid using chemicals in or near wildlife ponds. Birds, bats, insects and other animals that use the wildlife pond as a source of fresh water can be harmed.
A well-developed pond will be a home to damselflies, dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic lifeforms. It's a joy to sit quietly and watch the activity around your wildlife pond, a wonderful and beautiful asset for your garden.
- Author: Tami Reece
- Editor: Noni Todd
Transform Your Lawn
By Tami Reece UCCE Master Gardener
Where did lawns come from? Have they always been a part of the American landscape? Lawn's first appeared around the 1600's in Europe, which makes sense since the mild and damp climate of Europe kept the grass lush and green. During the 16th Century Renaissance, lawns were grown by the wealthy in both France and England but were likely planted with chamomile or thyme rather than actual grass-type plants.
Some of the earliest lawns were the grasslands around medieval castles. This kept the area clear so guards could see approaching friends or enemies. These grasses were kept short mostly with the use of farm animals which also added needed fertilizers. Through the ages and as emigrants migrated to North America, they brought their love of green open spaces in and around their homes. While this may work in the eastern to southern states, where year-round moisture is typical, it does not work as well in the Mediterranean climate of California with our mild winters and warm dry summers. And with changing weather patterns, it may not continue to work in our eastern states either.
If you would like to exchange your thirsty lawn with a more drought tolerant option, perhaps chamomile or thyme, to have a landscape reminiscent of early Europe, join UC Master Gardeners on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. at the Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo. Methods of lawn removal will be discussed including sheet composting and lasagna gardening, which is a no-dig gardening technique that attempts to mimic the natural soil-building process. We'll also discuss solarization, physical removal of grass and herbicides. You will learn about sustainable ground covers and grasses that require little water or mowing and are amenable to foot traffic. Several samples of lawn alternatives will be available for viewing. Both chamomile and thyme are growing in our Lawn Alternative Plots at the Centennial Demonstration Garden and Garden of the Seven Sisters.
If you want your water bill to go down, the beauty of your landscape to go up, and more time sitting on the porch drinking lemonade rather than mowing, please join us this Saturday, September 16th. The workshop is free and open to the public. Be prepared for warm weather and bring a hat and water. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.
Advice to Grow By Workshops
Our next Advice to Grow By Workshop will be October 21st, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Vertical Vegetable Gardening.” The workshop is free and open to the public. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.
You can view workshops on Instagram live at slo mg or visit our You Tube channel at “San Luis Obispo County UC Master Gardeners.”
Visit our website at ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ or email questions to anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
UCCE Master Gardener Helpline offices:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00)
Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)
- Author: Megan Edwards
- Editor: Noni Todd
String of Hearts
By UCCE Master Gardener Megan Edwards
Ceropogia woodii
Planting areas: USDA Zone 9-10
Size: 2” tall with 4-9 ft vines
Bloom season: spring and summer
Exposure: 3-4 hrs indirect sunlight
Pruning needs: minimal
Water needs: minimal
“Sweet Hearts”
Among the many varieties of succulent-like evergreen trailing vines, String of Hearts is sure to steal your heart! This native of Zimbabwe and South Africa is also known as the Rosary Vine for its aerial tubers which appear as small white beads. Its cascading vines with mauve vase-like blooms, petite heart-shaped leaves of mottled green, or variegated pink, cream and green, make it the darling of hanging baskets, shelves, and windowsills. Let's look at four important care habits that promote healthy “hearts”: light, temperature, watering, and repotting.
String of Hearts does well when it receives three to four hours of bright indirect sunlight, followed by afternoon shaded. Petals which receive too little sunlight will become more pale and less marbled, while those with too much sun can be scorched and show curled brown leaves.
Ambient temperatures of 60ºF or above, and humidity of 40 to 50% is ideal for String of Hearts. However, if this temperature range is unpredictable, it's safer to grow String of Hearts in pots that can be relocated inside when the temperature dips too low.
With its succulent-like features, this plant does not tolerate wet soil for long and can suffer root rot, however, a blend of well-draining succulent and cactus soil helps to avoid this issue. Give String of Hearts a thorough watering during the spring and summer when the top two to three inches of soil is dry. Limit watering for two to three week periods during its fall and winter dormancy.
A healthy String of Hearts will fair better when re-potted during the summer every two or three years. Beware however, that it may show transplant shock from damaged roots with less ability to transport water and nutrients, causing the leaves to temporarily appear curled.
With these simple care habits in mind, what's not to love about sweet String of Hearts!
Advice to Grow By Workshops
Our next Advice to Grow By Workshop will be September 16th, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Turf Replacement-lawn removal and lawn alternatives.” The workshop is free and open to the public. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.
You can view workshops on Instagram live at slo mg or visit our You Tube channel at “San Luis Obispo County UC Master Gardeners.”
Visit our website at ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ or email questions to anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
UCCE Master Gardener Helpline offices:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00)
Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)
