- Author: Phyllis Molnar
- Editor: Noni Todd
Caltrans And Roadside Plants
By Phyllis A Molnar UCCE Master Gardener
While driving the roadways in California, have you ever wondered who planted those roadside plants? Why did they choose that shrub or tree? I had the opportunity to have these, and other questions answered by Landscape Architect, Corby Kilmer, who works for Caltrans District 5. Ms. Kilmer is involved in designing highway landscape projects for District 5 which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterrey, and Santa Barbara Counties. There is a total of 12 Caltrans Districts in California.
Ms. Kilmer confirmed that all landscape design projects strive to provide drivers and passengers a visually pleasing travel experience. All design projects begin with an assessment of the visual quality of the area, which may be near a railway system, a city center, a housing complex, farmland, desert, woodlands, or wetlands. Let us not forget the importance of protection and enhancement of existing native plant species, erosion control, sound mitigation; aesthetically pleasing structures such as walls, bridges, rest areas and vista points, while preventing any negative environmental impacts. Ms. Kilmer emphasized that CALTRANS focuses on landscape designs that help prevent or manage the spread of insect pests and disease while protecting native flora and fauna and their habitats. Native and drought tolerant plant species are preferred due to California's past, current, and most likely future drought conditions. The selected plants require only short-term watering to establish the plant's root system.
Final landscape designs include all structures, irrigation specs, mulching details and a plant species list that includes the size and quantity of plants and their intended location for the site. All design projects are included in the “Looking Ahead” project report listing which includes all upcoming CALTRANS construction, architectural and engineering contracts. CALTRANS does not have its own plant nursery. Therefore, landscaping contracts are awarded to the lowest cost bidder with excellent references and an existing relationship with a nursery that is certified with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to ensure plants are disease and pest free.
We want to thank Ms. Kilmer and the CALTRANS Landscape Division for their time and efforts in developing water-conscious landscapes for our California roadways. Take a moment to enjoy the view during your next road trip!
How to contact the UCCE Master Gardeners:
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.
Our physical offices are now open!!!!!
Covid may still affect staffing levels, so it is best to call before heading to your local Helpline office:
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: Leonard Cicerello
- Editor: Noni Todd
Microclimates
By Leonard Cicerello, UCCE Master Gardener
“I planted a peach tree three years ago, and the tree has not produced one decent peach.”
Kathleen H. Cayucos
UC Master Gardeners have to be vigilant when we're asked gardening questions. Our response often begins by asking home gardeners where they live. Our coastal microclimates in Cambria and Morro Bay differ greatly from the inland climates of Paso Robles and Atascadero.
Microclimates are assessed by relative temperature, humidity, amount of sunshine, marine layer, air movement, and soil. Seasonal temperatures would be the most important factor in selecting the right plant for your site. Selecting the right plant for the right place is particularly important for fruit and nut bearing plants. Flowering plants, such as azaleas and camellias, also require a specific climate in order to bloom as expected.
When plant shopping, take time to read plant tags and ask an employee about any special needs of the plant you're contemplating. If you're looking for a fruit or nut tree, know how many chill hours your microclimate offers before making any purchases. Nursery plant tags will show the minimum number of chill hours fruiting trees require.
All fruit and nut bearing trees and plants have a dormant period, during which they must be exposed to temperatures below 45 degrees for a certain length of time to set fruiting buds. The length of time fruit and nut trees must be exposed to these colder temperatures is referred to as chill hours and the requirement varies by variety. There are scores of hybrid fruit and nut bearing plants, and each has its own minimum requirement of chill hours. Two notable exceptions include avocados and citrus, which do not require chill hours.
Coastal areas with a heavy marine influence do not get as cold as the inland areas. However, plant breeders have been masterful at developing fruit and nut trees that require fewer chill hours and will do well in these coastal areas. Local nurseries typically sell what grows well in the region. Do your research before shopping. Whether you want to grow something edible or ornamental, matching a plant's climatic requirements with your microclimate will improve your chances of gardening success.
Our Advice to Grow By Workshops are back!!!
Our next workshop will be September 17th, 2022, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Seven Sisters demonstration garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Tool Maintenance and Repair” and “Rainwater Collection for Home gardeners”. Register at http://ucanr.edu/atgbtools
You can also 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.
Our physical offices are now open!!!!!
Covid may still affect staffing levels, so it is best to call before heading to your local Helpline office:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (10:00 to 12:00)
Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)
- Author: Polly Nelson
- Editor: Noni Todd
Nepeta
By Polly Nelson UCCE Master Gardener
Common Name: Nepeta
Genus, Family: Nepeta, Lamiaceae
Planting area: Sunset 1-24
Size: Six inches to one foot tall, 2 feet wide.
Bloom season: Spring to fall
Exposure: Full sun, most can tolerate part shade
Pruning needs: Mid-summer, fall
Water needs: Moderate to low
Snapshot:
If you enjoy lavender, Salvias and rosemary in your yard, then you might want to take a look at Nepeta. It is from the mint family, as is rosemary. You and your feline friends may be familiar with catnip (Nepeta cataria); a cousin often confused with N. faassenii or N. racemosa. Catnip is more aromatic but has fewer ornamental attributes than Nepeta.
Nepeta actively grows prostrate or in low mounds. Some grow up to a foot tall. The leaves are heart-shaped at the base, oval at the tip with scalloped edges, are deeply veined and have a soft, hairy texture. The gray-green color contrasts with the blue-violet two-lipped flowers that cluster on long spikes. Nepeta blooms late-spring through summer.
Choose a planting location with well-drained soil in full sun. Clay, sandy or loamy soil will do fine with attention to watering. Nepeta also does well in containers. Containers are recommended to minimize spreading, as this plant readily reseeds itself.
Prune Nepeta twice a year to maximize bloom production and manage the plant's appearance. After the first round of blooms has finished, use pruning shears to cut back one-third to one-half of the plant to encourage a second bloom, then water well. In the fall, remove spent flowers (this helps minimize reseeding) and dead foliage to get rid of hiding places for pests.
Propagating new plants is done in spring, primarily in one of two ways. Propagate by division every 3-4 years by slicing off a section of the plant with several shoots and good roots. Replanting in the desired location, water well and treat it as a new plant with regular water needs for the first year. A second way to propagate is by taking three-inch cuttings from healthy shoots before buds form. Place the cutting in moist medium (sand or peat-perlite mix). Roots should develop within 3-4 weeks.
Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are attracted to Nepeta; deer are generally not and insect pests are minimal.
Consider adding Nepeta to your garden. Its rich texture and color will add interest and depth to your landscape.
We are still here
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 us questions at anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
Our physical offices are closed, but you can still reach us:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190
Templeton: 805-434-4105
- Author: Deborah Light-Pacheco
- Editor: Noni Todd
Golden Mosaic Prayer Plant
By Deborah Light-Pacheco UCCE Master Gardener
Common name of plant : Never Never Plant, Golden Mosaic Prayer Plant
Scientific name: Ctenanthe
Planting area: Sunset zones 23, 24; H1, H2; or indoors
Size: 2-3 feet tall, 1 ½-3 feet wide
Bloom Season: small, insignificant flowers at intervals throughout the year.
Exposure: Partial shade; bright indirect light
Pruning needs: Needed to control size and remove dead foliage
Water needs: Ample
Snapshot: Ctenanthe or the Never Never Plant is an evergreen plant native to Brazil. Its long oval leaves are variegated in shades of green, yellow and white/silver and if well maintained, will become quite a showpiece as it displays its multi-colored foliage on bamboo-like stems. This plant is in the prayer plant family and may fold up its leaves at night, a behavior known as nyctinasty.
The growth potential of the plant will depend on the species and the size of the container, but it can become quite tall and wide. Ctenanthe may need to be repotted every 1-2 years in the spring. Use a well-draining soil; a potting mix or potting soil with equal parts of peat and perlite and keep the soil most but not waterlogged. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a half strength multi-purpose fertilizer. Provide bright light but not direct sun. Too little light will result in solid green foliage without the attractive color variations.
Water thoroughly, then repeat when the topsoil dries. Use filtered, distilled or captured rainwater. The sodium in tap water may cause the leaves to brown. On the Central Coast, Ctenanthe can grow outside for most of the year, with temperatures between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit, but relocate indoors once temperatures dip below 55 F.
Propagation is done by division during the spring. It is best to propagate using the same type of soil as used for the parent plant. Ctenanthe species are non-toxic to pets and they are efficient air purifiers.
Common pests include mealybugs, thrips and spider mites, all of which can be treated with OTC soap for houseplant pests. Wet soil may lead to Botrytis, a common fungal disease.
We are still here
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 us questions at anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.
Our physical offices are closed, but you can still reach us:
San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939
Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190
Templeton: 805-434-4105
