Test PB Collection: FTE

UC ANR There are many different chemicals available for use in the garden. Unfortunately, these chemicals may contaminate soil, water, and air and may even harm plants, pets, and people.

Colorful flowers and towering trees are lovely, but plants are so much more than that.

We can grow thousands of different plants in our mild climate, which can make a visit to the nursery overwhelming. Photo, Leone Christine, Unsplash Thanks to Marin's mild climate, we can grow thousands of different plants.

Whether you're planting a new garden or refreshing an existing landscape, there is a world of horticultural beauty at your fingertips. Shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and grasses form the backbone of many gardens.

Marin's beauty is vast and varied. Where else can you visit a coastal bluff, redwood forest, and oak woodland all in one day? In our gardens, the varied topography, microclimates, and proximity to open space can be a challenge especially when it involves clay soil or a steep hillside.

Bush anemone (Carpenteria californica) is a deer-resistant shrub that grows in sun or shade and has fragrant flowers. Photo: PlantMaster You can bring the natural beauty and ecology -- of your surroundings into your garden by growing some of the plants that were here before settlers arrived.

It's easy to invite bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other welcomed winged visitors into the garden. Just provide the food, water, and shelter they need to feel at home. This is called habitat gardening, and it's a satisfying way to choose plants.

Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to lawn and lawn alternatives. If you like the look and feel of a conventional lawn, there are even some lower-water choices available.

Most plants are a pleasure to grow. Fortunately, there are only a few to avoid. Here's how invasive plants and plants that have been treated cause problems. Scotch broom currently infests millions of acres throughout California.

The tree you plant today may be here for your children and grandchildren and beyond. Photo: Candid Shots, Pixabay Use our PLANT LIST: > TREES FOR BACKYARDS AND PATIOS These trees thrive in Marin and are well-suited to the typical backyard setting.