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UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties: Article

California Native Plant Society

March 17, 2025

By Atticus Rotoli

Santa Cruz County CNPSOur mission is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to preserve them in their natural habitats through educational and scientific activities and conservation efforts. Our chapter is dedicated to the plants and habitats of Santa Cruz county, from…

Lemon verbena, bee balm and echinacea growing together are a good example of companion planting. Joyce Hill.jpg

The Real Dirt: Article

Spring 2025 Upcoming Master Gardener Workshops

March 16, 2025

By Jeanette Alosi

By UC Master Gardeners of Butte County The Master Gardeners Spring Workshop Series is in full swing! The series began in February, but worry not -- there are plenty of topics still to be covered from now into June: fifteen workshops to be exact, seven of them on all-new subjects and eight on tried-and…

Ceanothus

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning California Lilac

Scientific NameCeanothus spp.Prized forDense flower cover; and dark green leaves.Blooms onOld wood and new wood.When to PrunePrune after bloom - in the spring, after the rains have ended. Ceanothus are susceptible to apricot canker if pruned in wet weather. Note: The plant may have two or more bloom…

coffeeberry

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Coffeeberry

Scientific NameRhamnus californicaPrized forDeep green foliage.Blooms onN / AWhen to PruneAfter the winter bloom and the berries have faded. Can be lightly pruned all year.What to PruneUse small thinning cuts and tip pruning to establish the structure and to control the form. Structure may not be…

Ribes

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Currant, Gooseberry

Scientific NameRibes spp.Prized forFlowers; and dark green foliageBlooms onOld woodWhen to PruneJune, July (Early Summer, after the winter bloom and the spring growth).What to PruneUse thinning cuts to reveal the structure of the plant. The stems are not long-lived. Therefore, taking out only new stems…

Ironwood

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Island Ironwood

Scientific NameLyonothamnus floribundusPrized forFlowers; peeling bark; and leaf structure.Blooms onN / AWhen to PruneJanuary, but can remove dead material and persistent seed heads in late summer.What to PruneUse thinning cuts to open and reveal the structure.> BACK TO PRUNING TIPS FOR NATIVE PLANTS

manzanita

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Manzanita

Scientific NameArctostaphylos spp.Prized forDelicate flowers and leaves; twisting trunk and branches; and shiny red bark.Blooms onOld wood.When to PruneAugust, September, October, before flower buds emerge. Flowers form after the summer dormant season on old wood and bloom from the early winter to…

redbud

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Redbud

Scientific NameCercis occidentalisPrized forMass of pink flowers; and twisting branches and trunk. Blooms onOld woodWhen to PruneAugust – OctoberWhat to PruneUse thinning cuts to reveal the branch and trunk structure which is striking in the winter.> BACK TO PRUNING TIPS FOR NATIVE PLANTS

serviceberry

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Serviceberry

Scientific NameAmelanchier utahensisPrized forBerries. Upright structure.Blooms onOld woodWhen to PruneJanuaryWhat to PruneIt is best to thin canes from the bottom of the plant. Avoid heading cuts at mid-cane. They may produce “witches broom”, i.e., sprout lots of new growth at the end, causing a…

spice bush

UC Marin Master Gardeners: Document

Pruning Spice Bush

Scientific NameCalycanthus occidentalisPrized forLush foliage; red flowers; and seedpods.Blooms onNew woodWhen to PruneJanuaryWhat to PruneOne approach is to keep the plant full by tip pruning only. Alternatively, a plant can be trained as small, multi-trunk tree by using thinning and releadering cuts…