California Garden, Vol. 96, No.4, July-August 2005

2005·3.6 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

(M
rma_
GA DEN
JULY-AUGUST 2005 Volume 96 No. 4 $3.00
HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR
June10-July4 GardenAssociationandAquaDesignsofSanDiegoto
2005SANDIEGOCOUNTYFAIRPaulEcke, Jr. benefitLakeside'sRiverParkConservancy. Tour
Flower&GardenShow "CinemaSummer." Hours extendsfromthecoasttothemountainsacrossSan
Mon.-Fri. 10a.m.-10p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10a.m.-11 p.m. DiegoCountyincludingover80locations. Sat. 9a.m.-
ClosedMondays, exceptJuly4. 858/793-5555or 9p.m., Sun. 10a.m.-5p.m. Fortickets,call619/443-
www.sdfair.com. [email protected]
July2-3Sat.-Sun $20perperson(childrenunder 12arefree.)
THEHUNTINGTONBOTANICALGARDENS July11Mon.
NationalCactus andSucculentShow. Over 1000 SANDIEGOHORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
award-winningplants. 10:30a.m.-4:30p.m. both Monthlymeeting "Gardener'sPerspectiveofNew
days. 1151 OxfordRoad, SanMarino. 626/405-2100. Zealand" byTomPiergrossi. 6:30p.m. DelMar
General admission. Fairgrounds, SurfsideRacePlace, 2260Jimmy
July2Sat. DuranteBlvd., DelMar. 760-730-3268.Free.
•SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION July12Tues.
LIBRARYopenfrom 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Mon.- SANDIEGOGERANIUMSOCIETYAnnual
Fri.,alsothefirstandthirdSaturdays. Membersof potluckdinner6:30p.m. Therewillbeashortmeeting
SDFAcancheckoutbooks. (Membership$15ayear, andprogramafterward. Room101, CasadelPrado,
includesmagazine.)BalboaPark, CasadelPrado, BalboaPark. Free.
Room105. 619/232-5762orvisitwww.sdfloral.org. July 13Wed.
July2Sat. WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENClass
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon 6:30-8:30p.m. "Mulch,Compost, Fertilizer!" with
SummerLawnCare9:00a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt., LandscapeDesignerJanTubioloandMaster
SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OrVegetableGardenCare Composter, ElizabethRamos. Secondoffourclassesin
9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCt, Poway. series. 12122CuyamacaCollegeDr. West, ElCajon.
858/513-4900.Free. 619/660-0614.Pre-registrationrequired. Individual
July6Wed. classMembers$7, Non-members $10. Seriesof4
WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENClass Wednesday nightclasses, Members $23, Non-members
6:30-8:30p.m. "DesigningwithDrought-Tolerant $35.
Plants" withLandscapeDesignerJanTubiolo. Firstof July16Sat.
fourinseries. 12122Cuyamaca CollegeDr. West, •SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION
ElCajon. 619/660-0614.Pre-registrationrequired. LIBRARYwillbeopen. SeeJuly2fordetails.
IndividualclassMembers$7, Non-members $10. July16Sat.
Seriesof4Wednesdaynightclasses, Members $23, WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon
Non-members$35. Plumerias9:00a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt., San
July9Sat. Diego. 619/224-8271.OR, SpecialtyBegonias9:30
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon a.m. at 12755DanielsonCt., Poway. 858/513-4900.
WaterGardens 9:00a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt., San Free.
Diego. 619/224-8271.OR,PlumeriaCareandGrafting July 16Sat.
9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCourt, Poway. WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENClass
858/513-4900.Free. 10a.m.-12p.m. "TheSoilFoodWebandCompost
JulyW9ASaTt.ERCONSERVATIONGARDENClass WTeesat",bEylGCaarjyonC.ol6b1y9./66102-1026214C.uPyraem-raecgaistCroaltlieogneDr.
10a.m.-12p.m. "TheArtofDesigningwithNative required. Members $5, Non-members$8.
Plants" withGregRubinofCalifornia'sOwnNative July16-17Sat.-Sun.
Landscape. Learnthepropercareandplacementof SANDIEGOTURTLE&TORTOISESOCIETY
drought-tolerantnativesinyourgarden. 12122 Show, Sat. 12-5p.m. andSun. 10a.m.-4p.m. Balboa
CuyamacaCollegeDr. West, ElCajon. 619/660-0614. Park, CasadelPrado, Room 101. Free.
Pre-registrationrequired. Members $5,Non-members July20Wed.
$8. WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENClass
July9-10Sat.-Sun. 6:30-8:30p.m. "SoilandIrrigation"withLandscape
RLIAVKEERSIPDAERCKOSNelSfE-gRuiVdAedNPCoYnd-TSoAurN"DPIarEaGdeOof A1r2c1h2i2teCctuyDaamnacCaarCnoelyl.egTehiDrrd.oWfefsotu,rEcllaCsasejsoni.nseries.
Ponds." SponsoredbytheNorthAmericanWater continuedonpage100
98 JULY-AUGUST2005 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
California s,nce i9°9 MAIH650ElPrado#105
GARDEN SanDiegoCA92101-1622
seeusatCasadelPrado,
Room105BalboaPark
TLeIBlReApRhYoOnFeCO6N1G9R/ES2S3N2O-.5IS7S6N20008-1116 Mon10d:a0y0atmhrtooug3h:0F0rpimday
APrrersaindgeenrtsDGeueildKrCuhtmop.p6r1e9si/[email protected] WWW.S61D9F/2L3O2-R5A76L2.ORG
Publishedby
SanDiegfoorF9lo5raYleaArsssociation VOLUME96 NUMBER 4
PUBLICATIONSTAFF
EDITOR THEMAGAZINEFOR THEHANDS-ON GARDENER
JacquelineColeman JULY-AUGUST2005
[email protected]
ASSISTANTEDITOR FEATURES
LindaBerger 103 Summertime HintsforWaterSavings L. Generoso
COCNATLREBIeNBttUDyTANIReNwEGtDoEnIDTIOTROR 110064 HAinbtisscinusthPelaPnltanCtasre—aCrashCoursDe. Fa.ulHkindedreannVdalP.lePyaHwilboiwssckuis
[email protected] 110180 EGuairdtehliwnoersmfso—rRGeodoWdigLgalnedrsscaapnidngNightCrawlers B.J.NeNwotbolne
NOWISTHETIMEEDITOR 111 Fresh-PickedVegetables Nat'lGardenBureau
JohnR.Allen 117 CalendarofColor TreeofLifeNursery
[email protected] 121 Snailsand Slugs-Ugh! R. Horwitz
AFFILIATELISTINGEDITOR 121 YouTooCanBeaComputerGeek! M. Brigadier
BOOKm&[email protected] 112222 AOlhlMIyKcnororwhiIzaLleaFrunnegdiontheInternet MM.. BBrriiggaaddiieerr
RosaleenCox DEPARTMENTS
[email protected]
TOURSEDITOR 98 HorticulturalCalendar L. Berger
AnnetteReid 102 Gleanings B. Jones
ADVERTISING 112 NowIstheTime j. Allen
JacquelineColeman 119 BookReviews R. Cox
[email protected] 124 Affiliates r. Cox
JoanRoman 127 GuyFleming, KateSessions, RolandHoytbksorderblanks Staff
MAILING
LynnBeyerle FRONT COVER photograph of Hibiscus 'Alii Ui' from Hidden Valley
EDITORIALADVISORYBOARD HibiscusofEscondido, California, www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com
JohnR.Allen
MortBrigadier Claimsandopinionsexpressed byadvertisers donotnecessarily
RobertHorwitz reflecttheviewsoftheeditorandpublisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.
BarbaraS.Jones
JohnNoble
PatPawlowski
Wameatweuerlscoomrepraortfiecslseiso,naplhso.toDgeraadplhisn,esdrfaowrinagsn,exatnidssiudeeaasrefrtohme CoSipnigelsecoofpiCeaslioffortnheiacuGrraerndteinssuceanofbCealoifrodrenrieadGbayrdemnaimlagfaorzin$e3.c0a0nbpeerpucrocphyasepldusfor$1a.d0o0naptoisotnagoef.
20thofJanuary,March,May,July,September,andNovember. $3.00atthelocationslisted.
Wedonotpayforarticlesorartwork.Wecannotguaranteethe
eWssdapoifartecdaePrndeeytraufanrendncd/otofar5llm.oa1snt.uebarDmiOcialtoS.tme.pCdAualtmllaeitfroeoprdriiinnasiilka.onfGSsrauoerbxmdmpeiIrsneBssriMseoesnodesrravmcreuoessmttpthahobetseierbdiloogefhu,tbtlhiteeno WWCSAAAALNLLITTDFEEIORRERGNAAOINNAFDDLAEEORRRRBSSAEOELNNREANNTSUUSURROMSSCEEIFRRAOYYTU,,INO2D5N21A,43T--248I392O207N-015,,,7316862214,7825/C54aE4snDt7aae-nrd8ipee2rll0is7Pso,rena3Sd0tCo1.o,u,NrSRotam,rn.tPhDo1iBw0ea5agl,yodBwCCailAAnboA9av92e20P.16a,r41k0A-,r6c8Sa4ad7niaDiCeAgo91C0A0692101
authorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheeditors
onionftteCmnadelenidft,oironnnioeard.Gisarcdreitni.ciNsmoiempnldioerdseomfensitmiolfarnaprmoedducptrsodtuhacttsaries FLOWERSHOWSt:heSmahgoawzicnheaisromladnatcoynotuarctsChaolwi.forniaGarden,619/232-5762ifyouwant
Sendalleditorialmaterialandchangeofaddressto:
SanCDaileigfoorFnloiraalGAassrodceiantion CtwAoLyIeFarOsR,NfIorAeiGgnAdRelDiEveNry(aIdSdSN$60.00008-p1er11y6e)ari,sbpyubSlaisnhDedieBgio-MFolnortahllyAsfsoorcidaotniaotni,on1s65o0fE$l12P.r0a0dope#r10y5e,arSoarn$D2i0e.g0o0CfoAr
San1D6i5e0goElCPAra9d2o1#0110-51622 9P2O1S0T1-M1A6S22T.ER°:SanSeDnideagdodrFelsosraclhaAnssgoecsitaotiCoAn,LI19F9O2R.NIAlAlGriAgRhtDsErNes,er1ve6d5.0PEelrPiordaidcoal#s10P5o,stSaagnepDaiiedgoatCSAan92D1i0e1g-o16C2A2..
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JULY-AUGUST2005 99
"HORTICULTURALCALENDAR" CONTINUED July30Sat.
FROMPAGE98 WATERCONSERVATIONGARDEN
Class
10a.m.-12p.m. "CelebrateSalvias!" SpeakerisNan
Sterman, MasterGardenerandboardmemberofthe
619/660-0614.Pre-registrationrequired. Individual SanDiegoHorticulturalSociety. 12122Cuyamaca
class, Members $7, Non-members $10. Seriesof4 CollegeDr. West, ElCajon. 619/660-0614.Pre-
Wednesdaynightclasses, Members$23, Non-members registrationrequired. Members $5, Non-members$8.
$35. July30-31Sat.-Sun.
July2W3ASTatE.RCONSERVATIONGARDEN HONNONBOASSOCIATIONSHOWandSaleof
Class PlantsandRocks. Sat. 12-4p.m., Sun. 10a.m.-4p.m.
9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. "Xeriscape: LushLandscapeon BalboaPark, CasadelPrado, Room101. Free.
aLowWaterBudget" byLandscapeDesignerJan August6Sat.
Tubiolo.Classconcludeswithawalkingtourofthe •SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION
gardens. 12122CuyamacaCollegeDr. West, LIBRARYwillbeopen. SeeJuly2fordetails.
ElCajon. 619/660-0614.Pre-registrationrequired. August6Sat.
Members$10, Non-members $13. WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSonDirty
July2W3ASTatE.RCONSERVATIONGARDENSummer SBtu.s,inSeasns-DiAelgloA.b6o1u9t/2S2oi4l-892:7010.aO.Rm.,aDte3si6g4n2erEnPtlearnptrise
ConcertwithSuzanneReed. 7-9p.m. Backbypopular Palettes-LandscapeDesign9:30a.m. at 12755
dfaemmoaunsd,bySupzearnfnoermseirnsgsliykoeuPratfasvyorCiltienestaannddarLdisndmaade AugusDtan6i-e7lsSoant.C-tS.u,nP.oway. 858/513-4900.Free.
Ronstadt. Bringlawnchairsorblankets. 12122 SANDIEGODAHLIASOCIETYShow. Allare
CuyamacaCollegeDr. West, ElCajon. 619/660-0614. welcometobringbloomstoexhibitonFridayAugust
Members$3, Non-members $5. 5, orSat. between8-10a.m. Doorswillbelocked,
July2W3ASLatT.ERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon tyhoeupmuublsitc)habveegiCnussattod1i1ana.lme.tyLouuncinh.iJsupdrgoivnigd(ecdlofsoerdto
StaghornFerns9:00a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt., San exhibitors. ContactDavidTooleyat858/672-2593or
Diego. 619/224-8271. OR,XeriscapeGardeningat [email protected]. Opentopublic
9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCt, Poway. Sat. 1-4p.m. andSun. 10a.m.-4p.m. BalboaPark,
858/513-4900.Free. CasadelPrado, Room101. Free.
July23-24Sat.-Sun. August8Mon.
SANDIEGOORCHIDSOCIETYSummerMini SANDIEGOHORTICULTURALSOCIETY
ShowandSale. Sat. 12-4p.m., Sun. 10a.m.-4p.m. Monthlymeeting "CreatingaGardenofAbundance"
July2Ba7lWboead.Park, CasadelPrado, Room 101. Free byDebraPrinzing, authorofTheAbundantGarden.
M6IpS.mS.IO"LNanHdIsLcaLpSeGTrAeResDfEorNSCanLUDiBegMoo"ntwhilthySMheiertlienyg gRDaaercbdereanPslw.aicl6el:,3c02ov2pe6.r0m.nJiinDmeemldyeMsDaiugrrnaFanastiperegcBrtlosvudon.fd,sa,DbeuSlnudrMfasanitrde
ILnasrtsrounc,torM,asStDerSUGaErxdteennesri,onf.orMmiesrsiLoanndHsilclaspeUnDietsedign Augus7t609-7T3u0e-s3.268.Free.
ChurchofChrist,4070JackdawSt. 619/295-2702or SANDIEGOGERANIUMSOCIETYMonthly
July2mww7ewmW.bmeeirdss.s,io$n1h0ilflosrgagrudesetnsc.lub.org.Freetoclub tMheeetpilanngt7ofp.tmhe.mEoancthh.meTmhebreerwaitltlebndeinagpwriolglrraemc,eipvleant
WATERCONSERVATIONGARDEN opportunitydrawingandrefreshments. Room 101,
6:30-8:30p.m. "RetrofittingYourGardenCltaossLow- AugusCtas1a3dSealt.Prado, BalboaPark. Free.
FCWioanltalelergoeUfsDfero".urWwceilstaths,sLeaEsnlidnCsacsjaeorpniee.s.A6r1c19h2i/1t62e62c0t-C0Du6ay1na4.mCaaPcrraen-ey. EGWnaAtredLrepnTriiEassReCSAta.rN,eDS&aEnRCDSuilEetguNor.eN96U:1R090/S2aE2.4Rm-.Y82a7Ct1L3.A6O4SR2S,on
crNleoagnsiss-etmsr,eatmMiboeenmrrbseeqr$u1isr0e.$d2.S3e,IrniNedsiovnoi-dfmu4aelmWbceledarsnssesM$de3a5mybenrigsht$7, AugusRCtte.b,1l4PoooSwmuainyn..gB8e5a8r/d5e1d3-I4r9is009.:3F0reae..m. at 12755Danielson
JulyPS3SWea0uApnmpSLmaDetTeir.erEgTaoRRs.otsAi6en1Ng9CD/9a2E:r23eR40-S98a:E2.07mN01..aNa.tOUmR.R1,2Sa7tGE535OR6T4YDa2OnCiETLneotlAemsSroapSntroiCosten&.,St., AugusSCPCttaoAolr2rioLy0fnoMairSnnaiDLtPa.eEh"loCtbMoTyagrUrD.aRapvEBhiosd.o"kTL9eoaspasi.eg1mrn0,.inPgaaatufltRomholosglroefwroos'frslPSeGaocualttrumrhdeeeTrnrnseesi:nA
Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. •SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION
100
JULY-AUGUST2005 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
LIBRARYwillbeopen. SeeJuly2fordetails. forkidsandadults. Freecompostingclass 11 a.m.-
AugusWtA2L0TSEatR. ANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon G1a2r:d30enps.mD.r,ivfei,rstEnScaitnuirtdasa.y7o6f0t/h4e3m6o-n3t0h3.6o2r30Quail
SummerFruitTreeCare withDaveWilson9:00a.m. www.qbgardens.com. General admission.
at3642EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OR, SANDIEGOCHINESEHISTORICALMUSEUMAND
SummerFruitTreeCare &SummerPruning9:30 GARDENExquisiteAsiangarden. 404ThirdAvenue,
a.m. andlater, FruitTastingwithDaveWilsonat SanDiego. Tues.-Sat. 10:30a.m.-4p.m., Sun. 12-4
12755DanielsonCt., Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. p.m. Free.
August20-21Sat.-Sun. SANDIEGOZOOORCHIDODYSSEY
SANDIEGOFERNSOCIETYShowandSale. Show ThirdFridayofeverymonthfrom 10a.m.-2p.m.,
startsSat. noon-5:00p.m. Thesaleis 10a.m.-5p.m. showcasingorchidsfromPapuaNewGuinea, Central
Sunday, showandsale 10a.m.-4p.m. BalboaPark, andSouthAmerica, Africa, Thailand,Australia,
CasadelPrado, Room 101. Free. China, andVietnam. FreewithZooadmission.
AugusMtI2S4SIWOeNd.HILLSGARDENCLUBMonthlyMeeting THE1H0:U3N0TtoIN4:G30TOp.Nm.isColpoesnedTuMeosnddaayytahrnodumgohsStunhodlaiydays.
6p.m. "GourmetGardening" withNanSterman. $15adults, $12seniors, $10students(12-18), $6youth
MissionHillsUnitedChurchofChrist,4070Jackdaw (5-11),under5andmembers arefree. Grouprate
wStw.w.6m1i9s/s2i9o5n-h2i7ll0s2goarrdcehnecclkub.org.Freetoclub WAL(K1A0+B)O$U1T1 6I2N6/T4E0R5-N2A10T0IoOrNwAwLw.hLuonctalinGgutiodne.odrWga.lks.
members, $10forguests. Newsletter. 619/231-SHOE.Free.
August27Sat.
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon Deadlineforsubmissionto
Diagnosing&TreatingPestsandDiseases inthe HORTICULTURALCALENDAR([email protected])
Garden9:00a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. forSEPT/OCT issueisJuly 15. SANDIEGOFLORAL
619/224-8271. OR,FallRoseCare9:30a.m. at 12755 ASSOCIATIONisnotresponsibleforchangesthatare
DanielsonCt., Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. submittedlatebytheorganizations.
"DOWNTOEARTH"WithTomPiergrossi
Dailyat 11:30a.m. and7:30p.m. onCTN
TimeWarner22orCox 19or24, andAdelphia66
W7 QT^lr
<jP
BALBOAPARK
SANDIEGOJAPANESEFRIENDSHIPGARDEN
OpenTues. thruSun. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Docent
tourswithreservations. Fee. 619/232-2721. FARM & GAKDEN SUPPLY CO.
OFFSHOOT TOURSVolunteerguided. Varioustopics. SINCE 1952
Saturdays 10:00a.m. MeetatVisitorsCenterinPlaza
dePanama. 619/235-1121.Free. For allyourgardeningandirrigationneeds.
INTERPRETIVEWALKSVolunteerguided. History Friendlyandknowledgeablestaff.
Poraineanmtae.dtoTpuiecss.daMyesetanadtSViusnidtaoyrssCaten1t:e0r0ipn.Pml.azFaredee. Ask about our 10% discount for
participating Garden Clubs.
ONGOINGEVENTS
BLUESKYECOLOGICALRESERVEWalks. (NotvalidonSod,MonthlySpecials,orinconjunctionwthanyotherexistingdiscount!)
CUYPAoMwaAyC.ASatC.O&LLSuEnG.E9:W0a0tae.rm.Co8n5s8e/r6v7a9t-i5o4n69. (1E71s600c5)oW7n.4d5Mi-i4ds6os7i1onAve. V(27a96l201l)9e7yJ49uC-be1a8nR2td8e.r
Gardenishometo4+ acres ofbeautiful,award- J^VEncinitas Fallbrook
winninglowwateruselandscapingandeducational / /L89S.RanchoSantaFe 530E.AlvaradoSt.
displays. DocenttoursSat. 10:30a.m. andSun. 1:30 ' v(760)944-5777 [phone]
pa.nmd.sp6e1c9i/al66e0v-e0n6t1s4.atCwhwewc.kthweegbasridteensc.aolerngd.arFrfeoer.classes Hours:Mori•Sat7am•5pm www.grangettos.com
QUAILBOTANICALGARDENS
Opendaily9a.m.-5p.m. Callfortimesondocentled
gardentours, weeklyormonthlyevents, andclasses
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JULY-AUGUST2005 101
Gleanings
gatheredbybarbarajones
SNAILS . . . maker, an apron by a designer north of San Diego. We home
Theheavy winterrains created a using a glamorous fabric. No gardeners are not welcome, but
—
bumper weed crop and a huge morefive-dollarstrawhat now the plants and seeds ordered at
increase in the snail and slug it's a fifty-dollar creation. The this show determine the major
population. After reading and toolshavespeciallycraftedleather plants that will be sold the
hearing about how copper strips handles. I doubt the birds and followingyear.
placed around a planting area bees are impressed orthe quali—ty Big chain stores (Home Depot,
would discourage snails and of gardening improved. But Lowe's,Wal*Mart, Kmart)now
slugs, alocalgardenerdecidedto oo, la, laa! sell over half the plants sold in
tryit.(Apparentlywhentheslimy America. They are selling a few
skins come in contact with BEES . . . exotic plants, but most of the
copper, an electrical current is Althoughmostlocalgardenersare sales are of the old standbys.
—
created.)Findingthecopperstrips reporting an increase in the They do like novelties though
pricey, shedecidedto trycopper number of bees entering their different colors and forms of
pennies.Shegrowshervegetables gardens, California commercial familiarplants.
in redwood edged raised beds. growersarehavingtroublegetting For the records, in San Diego
Her five year old daughter enough bees to pollinate their County over 70% of the
(helped by daddy) was delighted crops. The fires last year agricultural sales are offlowers.
to glue the pennies to the top of destroyedmanybeehivesandthis In 2003, that came to $927
the2" x 12" boards. — year the bee populationhas been million.
Does it work? Not sure yet reduced by an infestation of the
tHhaevebetdoskiallrethsteimllalflulflirsotf. snails. nVaatrurroeatomiptreo.viItdeiseniomupogshsibbeleesffoorr ELvAeWrNwSon.de.r. why San Diegans
One ofthe best ways to get rid thelarge orchards and farms that spend so much time and money
of snails is to go out in the dependuponthemforpollination. on lawns when we are not lawn
morning, pickthemup, anddrop Every year beekeepers bring country?Theexpertsexplainthat
them into a quartjar half-full of beehivesfromotherstatesforthe it is a combination of habit and
damomwonniaandwattheer.reTsuhletisnngaillisqubirdeaiks bseeaesnonb,robuugthttihinsfryeoamrasbefeasrahwaavye istnoibsbeerasyi.erM,yanedxplwaintahtitohneiasgtihnagt
great for the garden. When they as Australia. It is estimated that population,gardenersareneeded.
wereyoung,Ipaidmychildrena there are 2.4 million commercial Many homeowners find that the
pkeepntnymaysngaailrdbeonuntsnya.ilThfereye.rea(lTloy bhaelefhivoefs itnhtehme caoruentrnyeaenddedoveirn aornelythreemgoulwa-rblgoawrd-egnoervsariaevtayilwabhloe
make the ammonia water place Californiaduringtheseason. The will nottouch a hand to plant or
about an inch of household weatherhasnotbeentotheliking soil.
hfauamlllmf,-ofnuelimlapotfyinwaittaeirqn.uatWrhtheejgnaarrtdhaeenndjaarfniildsl hcooiflvtdeh,seaobnrederswa,oinneyi'tthtehwre.oyrIkfs.titayisiwnintdheyi,r n"imLnaaentwseniesnotnshstartceeodnftiunrEytnagstlwea"hnedniwnetrahleel
startover.) surrounded by "smooth green
FLOWERTOUR
ELEGANTGARDENING . . . turf." Animalswereusedtochew
. . . Every year, in April, there is a itdown.
hYeosm,e eglaergdaenncienghawsorledn.terUesdualtlhye tthoautri"sTohpeeCnaltiofoornnliyapPraocfekssTiroianlasl"s inAnyAtmheirnigcaEnglainsdh wabsy ado1p8t97e,d
gthoeodgatrodoelnsearnidsswtiulrldiynggltoovpeas,ybfuotr bwuiytehrslafrogrelarregteailgargdreonwerrestailaenrds wfaesrheionasbulrerohuonmdeesdinbtyhe snuabrurrobws
today's fashionable gardener from all across the USA. The fringes of lawns and the Sears
wears fine kid gloves, special greenhouses visited are located Roebuck catalog offered three
gardeningshoesbyafamousshoe from south of San Francisco to kindsoflawnmowers.
102 JULY-AUGUST2005 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
.
SUMMERTIME HINTS FOR WATER SAVINGS
BY LUIS GENEROSO
FOR SOME SAN DIEGANS, the summer heat means professionalcarwashthatrecyclesthewashwater.
utilitybills that soar above normal. Butthere are ways Use a broom instead of a hose to clean up
toprevent yourbills from going sky high. TheCity of driveways and backyard patios. Outdoor parties and
San Diego's Water Conservation Program suggests a barbecues are popular activities during the summer
variety ofwater-saving actions that not only will help months,sotrysweepingawaythemessinsteadofhosing
you savewaterandmoney, butalsocreate family fun. tosavewaterandprotecttheenvironmentbypreventing
"Summer is the perfect time of year to get your unwanteddebrisfromenteringyourstormdrain.
family accustomed to saving water while they're Q Coveryourpoolwhenit'snotbeingusedtosave
outdoors enjoying the great weather," said Chris water bypreventing evaporation. Thisalso willhelpto
Robbins, SupervisingManagement AnalystfortheCity keep itclean.
ofSan Diego Water Department's Water Conservation a Checkyourindoorandoutdoorfaucetsforleaks
Program. "Watersavingtechniquescanresultinlowered Or, schedule a free indoor and outdoor water use
utility bills and a lifelong appreciation for one of San analysis with the City's Residential Water Survey
Diego'smostpreciousresources." Program. Single family and multi-family (up to eight
Following is a checklistofwater-saving steps you units) residents who are customers of the Water
cantaketoensureyourhomeorbusinesswithstandsthe Departmentareeligibleforthisfreeservice.Participants
summerheat. receive useful water savings tips and fixtures for their
Adjust the timer on your sprinkler system to home. Formoreinformation, call 619-515-3500.
provide your lawn and plants with the appropriate Ifyouownormanageabusinesswithmorethan
amountofwater. To create a free customized watering one acre of landscape, you also can schedule a free
schedule, check outtheLandscapeWatering Calculator analysis of your outdoor water use with the City's
on the City's website at www.sandiego.gov/water. It's Commercial Landscape Survey Program. Commercial,
also a good idea to make sure sprinklers are aimed industrial, and institutional customers of the Water
appropriatelytopreventwastedwaterondrivewaysand Department are eligible to participate. To schedule a
sidewalks. surveyorformore information, call619-570-1999.
When mowing your lawn, use a mulching Qualified businesses interested in purchasing
attachmentonyourmower. Thisallowsyourmowerto cooling tower conductivity controllers (which
cutupthegrassintosmallerpiecesyoucanleaveonthe automatically monitor the concentration of dissolved
lawn, insteadofbaggingtheclippingsandsendingthem solids and pH levels and then bleed water or add
outwiththetrashorgreenwaste.Mulchingtheclippings chemicals)cangetfreepoint-of-purchasevouchersofup
also helps to nourish your lawn and slow evaporation, to $500 through the San Diego County Water
keeping moisture in the soil and lawn longer than ifit Authority's Commercial, Industrial and Institutional
wereunprotected. VoucherProgram. Thesevouchersareusedtooffsetthe
Plant low-wateruse anddrought-tolerantplants costofnew,waterefficientconductivitycontrollers.For
in your garden. For a list ofthese plants, download a more information, call 1-800-986-4538 or visit
free brochure on the Water Department's website at www.sdcwa.org.
www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation. You also can If you've completed this checklist and are still
visittheWaterConservationGardenfortipsonchoosing looking for ways to save water during the summer
andmaintaininghealthywater-wiseplantsthatareboth months, and all year, contact the City's Water
droughttolerantandbeautiful. Locatedonthecampusof Conservation Program to get a FREE Southern
Cuyamaca College, the gardenhosts seminars and free California Heritage Gardening Guide CD, filled with
tours. For more information on the garden and its informationonavarietyofCaliforniaNativeandwater-
special events, call 619-660-0614 or visit friendlyplants. CDs are available on afirstcome first
www.thegarden.org. servebasis, asthereisalimitedsupply.Pleasecall619-
Wash your car on your lawn instead of your 515-3500togetyourcopytoday.
driveway.Thishelpstomakethemostofwhatwouldbe
wastedwaterbyallowingyourlawntoabsorbtheexcess LuisGenerosoisWaterResourcesManager, CityofSan
water. Another option is to take your car to a Diego WaterDepartment.
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JULY-AUGUST2005 103
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HIBISCUS PLANT CARE A CRASH COURSE
HIBISCUS ARE GOOD PERFORMERS, both in the as high as 115 degrees, provided they have adequate
gardenandinbrightareasinsidethehouse.Iftheyreceive water. When the weather is hot, it is best to maintain a
just a small amount of care they reward us with many steady supplyofwatertotheplant, ratherthanhaveitgo
magical blooms throughout the year. Here, in short, is throughwet/drycycles.
whattheyneed: 2. Watering isdividedintotwo areas -coldweather
1. Most important, a WARM place where their watering and hot weather watering. In hot weather
tropicaloriginsarerespected. Itisoftensaidthathibiscus hibiscus willuselotsofwaterandprefera steady supply
like much the same conditions as people and with of it. Avoid flooding the roots or allowing the plant to
temperature, thatisprettymuchtrue. Forbestresultsand stand in a saucer full of water for an extended time.
lots of blooms, hibiscus should be located where the Hibiscuswilldevelopdroopyleavesinhotweatherifthey
temperature remains between 60 and 90 degrees most of do not have enough water. The cure is simple, provide
thetime. Shortperiodsofeitherhotorcoldwillnotinjure somewaterandtheleaves willregaintheircrispness.
themthoughtheymayshowtheirdispleasurebyshedding In cold weather there is a danger offungus disease
afewleavesordroppingsomedevelopingflowerbuds. attacking the roots of the hibiscus. Cold and wet
conditionsarewhatencouragethis.Avoidthisproblemin
colder weather by watering only as much as the plant
needs. Itisbettertoletitgettoodrythantooverwaterit.
This is one of the few things that will cause the early
deathofahibiscusplant. Ifyoucankeeptherootswarm
youwillhavefewproblemswiththis.
'Las Vegas'
Iftemperaturesroutinelydropbelow50°,particularly
at night, most growth and blooming will stop until it
warms up again. Flower size will become much smaller
andtheoccasionalbloomsalsomaybemisshapen.
Temperatures below freezing will injure hibiscus.
Factorssuchashowcoldandforhowlong,theageofthe 'Kirk's Purple'
plant, and whether it is dehydrated determine how 3. Inordertomaintainahealthyhibiscusthatblooms
extensive the damage. Under 30° for many hours will alot,youmustfeedit.Purchaseagoodqualityplantfood
mshoosutldlibkeelayvokiidleld.the plant entirely. Such temperatures a(vHaiVlHableSpeacniyawlheBrlee)ndandHibuissecuist rFeegrutlialirzleyraicscorthdeingbestto
budsTteomdpreorpatoufrf.esHiobviesrcu9s5°cawnilslurofvtievnecteamupseermaotusrtesfleovweenr doifrteecnticoanlsleodn"tmhienocrosnt"aisnuecr.h Lasooikrona,ttchoepplearb,elmfaonrgwanheastei,s
104 JULY-AUGUST2005 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
' '
yanoduodtohne'rtmliinkeertaolsfearstiltihzees,etarryeuaslisnoggaoocdonftorrolhliebdi-srceulse.asIef nWuebmsbietreofrorUrSePtaSiladadnrdeswshoalveasiallaebl.e.There is no telephone
product likeOsmocote thatcanlast formonths withjust
oneapplication.HVHHighQualityWormCastingsmixed
intoorplacedontopofyourpottingorplantingsoilgive
asupernutritionalboosttoyourhibiscus.
'KeyLargo
'BlackCherry'
4. Defendyourhibiscusagainstinsectsasnecessary.
Many insects canbedrivenaway simplyby sprayingthe
plantwitha waterhose or the highly recommended Bug
Blasterorplacingitintheshowerforafewminutes. For
even better results, try the HVH Recommended Clean
LeafSpray, anontoxicalternativeagainstlighttomedium
pest infestations. For specific pest problems, there are
other safe treatments that agoodnursery can advise you
about, too.
5. Do notoverpotor change thepot size morethan
one step ata time. Inother words, iftheplant is ina2-
gallonpotthenext stepup shouldbe a 3-gallon. Equally
importantisgoodpotting soil,withlotsofdrainage. The
HVH Recommended Potting Soil is speciallydesignedto
suit hibiscus and the same perfect mix used in our
commercialgrowingoperation. Ifplantingintheground,
besuretheholeand locationare suchthatwaterwillnot
'Ladyin Waiting
builduparoundtherootsoftheplant.
Foradditionalinformationonhibiscuscareandmany [InformationinthisarticlecomesfromHidden Valley
colorphotographscheckwww,hiddenvalleyhibiscus,com. Hibiscus. Brand recommendations may not be
Article [edited] and photographs arefrom Hidden unprejudiced, and San Diego Floral Association and
ValleyHibiscus[ofEscondido, Calif.]. CaliforniaGardenmagazinehavenoimpartialinformation
www,hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com. Ifyouwishtoorderfrom aboutproductsmentioned, sohavenoopinionabouttheir
them, there are links on second and thirdpages ofthis efficacy.]
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JULY-AUGUST2005 105
.
ANTS IN THE PLANTS©
BY DAVID FAULKNER AND
PAT PAWLOWSKI
Toeverything—turnturnturn predators and parasites as they are maintained as a
Thereisaseason—turnturnturn renewable source of honeydew. Food gathered by the
Andatimeforeverypurposeunderheaven . . . workersisfedtothepale,blind,andleglessgrubsalong
—PeteSeeger withthequeen. Whenthelarvalgrubsmature, theywill
pupate and eventually develop into reproductives,
Butwhat, praytell, isthepurposeofants? workers, or, insome species, soldiers.
We all know many beneficial and beautiful ways
that birds, bees, and butterflies make our lives better, CALIFORNIA NATIVES VERSUS NON
andevenpossible. Butants? California's ant fauna is represented by over two
Imagine yourself, an avid gardener perhaps, hundred species, with a great number resident in the
kneeling among the plants near an outside faucet, southern portion of the state. They exist in coastal,
endeavoring to bestow some extra water on new urban, chaparral, mountain, and desert habitats. They
seedlings. Suddenly, you feel the impact ofdozens of tunnel into soil or decaying wood, excavating galleries
tinylittlefeetpatteringoveryourhands, upyourarms, and chambers, and are most likely to occur in our
underyourjeans—headingforwhoknowswhere! diminishingundevelopedareas
Oh, thoserascallyants! However, urban expansion has provided the
nonnative Argentine ant pest {Linepithema humile,
HERE'S LOOKINGATYOU, KID formerlyIridomyrmexhumilis)withalimitlesshabitatof
For entomologists and biologists interested in concretewalks,driveways,patios,andfoundationsunder
classification and behavior, ants present an endless which to construct their subterranean dwellings. With
opportunity for research into form and function. To abundant year-round water available, developed areas
otherpeople, they are pests. However, as with related promote colonies of Argentines, each consisting of
insect Families, their true value lies somewhere numerous queensandmillionsofworkers.
between. Anappreciationofthevital servicesprovided
byants inthenaturalworldrevealstheirtrueworth.
Antsdifferinbodyformfromcloselyrelatedbees
and wasps by possessing elbowed antennae, a unique
reduction of segments at the base of the abdomen
forming a pedicel and colonies filled with wingless
workers. Evenfemaleandmalereproductiveslosetheir
wings after their nuptial flight. Underground, wings
wouldonlygetintheway.
MARRIAGE, ANTSTYLE
Anewantcolonybeginsinthespringwithexisting
burrowsreleasinghundredsofwingedadultsintotheair,
which mate in massive nuptial aggregations. The
fertilized females begin the next colony. The first
generation develops from eggs deposited by the queen
that she will maintain until mature adult workers
emerge. This brood then assumes control of all the LifecycleoftheArgentineant
colony'sdutiesexcepteggproduction,whichwillremain YOUGO, POGO
the queen's responsibility for many years. Workers Our indigenous species occur in more limited
provision the growing colony with food consisting of natural habitats and contribute greatly to the
honeydew, plant parts and seeds, and dead insects environment. Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex), for
depending on the needs of a particular ant species. example, remove the seeds of many invasive plant
Often, scaleinsectsonplantsareprotectedbyantsfrom species such as filaree (Erodium) and mustard
106 JULY-AUGUST2005 CALIFORNIA GARDEN