The news is full of articles on global warming. The need for water conservation in the Bay Area seems to be a topic whether or not it’s an El Niño year. Landscaping with California Native plants has become popular because it is not only attractive but also good for our environment!

California native plants do extremely well in the Bay Area and there is a huge array of plants to chose from and something that can suit almost any need. Another added benefit of landscaping with native plants is that they are very effective at attracting native wildlife. Some of the plants are also used in firescaping so they actually help protect your property.

There is a quite an extensive design capacity of native plants. There are natives with large dark glossy leaves, with showy flowers, and they adapt to the varied soil types on the Peninsula and within your gardens. Everything from desert effects and wildflower meadows to near tropical lushness can be achieved with this palate of plants.

Many of California's wildflowers can be used in the seeded garden: poppies, lupines, clarkias and many others are available in seed mixes. Many of the woody plants are more easily propagated from cuttings or divisions.

One of the most important rules of landscaping is to group plants with similar light and water needs together. The existing trees prescribed four zones: 1) sunny and moist 2) shady and moist (both near existing redwoods), 3) sunny and dry and 4) shady and dry (under existing coast live oaks.) The shady moist area can be described as a redwood forest community, while the sunny moist area is a seep or meadow community. The shady dry sites mimic the understory or edge of an oak woodland, while the sunny dry sites suggest chaparral, coastal scrub or grassland communities.

A common decorative, easy growing perennial herb with glossy, dark green leaves. It grows up to a height of 9 inches. There is the lesser - or common periwinkle (vinca minor) and the greater - or big leaf periwinkle (vinca major). Vinca minor has smaller leaves than vinca major. They flower all year long.

Contains long lasting organic fir bark soil conditioner and mulch with composted chicken manure. Conserves water, inhibits weed growth, and improves soil structure.

Name: Duane Nash

Position at Wegman's: Bedding

Hobbies: Gardening (duh!), music, fish keeping, soccer, basketball, tennis, exploring nature, cooking, laughing

Favorite Food: Anything spicy—especially Mexican, Thai, and Indian

Favorite Plant or flower: Brugmansia—Angel’s Trumpet

Favorite garden center product: VF11 Fertilizer

Duane's message to you: "Don’t attempt to force a plant into growing conditions it won’t thrive in."

Trivia Question: What is unusual about the plants at Disneyland's Tomorrowland?

Question, answer, and winner from August 3rd edition:

Question: In 1925 a giant sequoia located in California's Kings Canyon National Park was named the nation's national…?

Answer: "This tree has inspired thousands of people including the late Charles E. Lee of Sanger, California. In 1924, he visited what was then General Grant National Park, and found himself standing by the Grant Tree with a little girl. As they admired the huge tree, the girl exclaimed, 'what a wonderful Christmas tree it would be!' The idea stayed with Mr. Lee, and in 1925 he organized the first Christmas program, held at the Grant Tree at noon on Christmas Day. Mr. Lee, then secretary of the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. R.J. Senior, president of the Chamber, conceived the idea of an annual ceremony. Mr. Lee wrote to President Calvin Coolidge, who designated the General Grant as the Nation's Christmas Tree on April 28, 1926."

Winner: Margo Bangert