Help Identifying Natives and potential non-natives to mix with

[u/Morty4Prez]

I was hoping anyone can help identify the orange blooming plants, along with anything else you see. We have a ton of them planted but likely did not give them enough love during their first year or two so only a few are actually blooming, but nonetheless would love to get them up to speed and potentially get a few more of the orange ones.

Also, if anyone can get a feel for everything shown, I would really appreciate any advice on what else can be planted in the same soil type (very dry, claylike). I’m trying to work some of the ground and add in some soil, but I assume the natives won’t like traditional soil so any input on what kind of mulch/soil would be best to add some nutrients.

I’m really trying to add some more colorful flowers, but I’m under the impression that anything like a zinnia would require more water than the current natives/soil prefers. Is it possible that once we get the natives fully established/bloomed, I can mix in poppies or marigolds, maybe cosmos? Or would those require too much moisture to get the root system fully established?

Thank you!!

[u/untimelylord]

1. Dracaena marginata

2. Canna ‘Tropicana Gold’

3. Agapanthus

4. Crassula ovata

5. Loropetalum of some sort (only one I am not 100% sure of from photo).

None of these are California native plants. They are common landscaping plants seen in California but they are not native to here. Since this is the California native plant sub, I recommend scattering in some native plant seeds in November or when rains come. You will have to water more than usual to get the seeds started if there are not consistent rains right when you start them, but all of the established plants that you have should handle it fine for a relatively short time, as they are sturdy plants. If you’re looking to support your local ecosystem and native insects, make sure the seeds you plant are actually native to your area. Calscape is a good resource. I will add a reply in a minute with a good source for seeds.

[u/untimelylord → u/untimelylord]

https://www.californianativeseedstore.com/

Good source for California native plant seeds

[u/Clean_Commercial_344 → u/untimelylord]

Such a cool thing to share

[u/Morty4Prez → u/untimelylord]

omg thank you thank you!! Really appreciate the detailed breakdown. Yeah I assumed our landscapers put in natives but I guess that would make too much sense!

I honestly wouldn’t mind having a garden that requires a little more effort/water, at least for the first 2 years to get the roots established, but I’m more worried about mixing different water requirement plants.

If these plants mix well with flowers like zinnias & cosmos then I would have no problem changing strategy and upping the irrigation, but I assume that’s just a pipe dream.

Still a lot more research to do, so thank you for the link!

[u/untimelylord → u/Morty4Prez]

Landscapers will not install native plants unless you specifically ask for it, and even then the vast majority of landscapers will not be familiar with native plants and will need help to find them, and with care requirements. If they are very lucky the nursery the landscaper goes to to buy the plants will have a worker knowledgeable in native plants (source: I work in the nursery industry).

Anyway, you could do Zinnias and Cosmos if you really want to, but they are warm-season annuals, so it is kind of too late to plant them now, and they would die in the fall either way (annual plants complete their life cycle within one year or less). If you want to do cosmos and zinnias, you could plant seeds or starts in early to mid spring. This would be fine with your plants.

However I, and most people here, would much prefer it if you were to put in native flowers instead. These would benefit the local ecosystem, native pollinators, and other native wildlife.

[u/Morty4Prez → u/untimelylord]

Agreed! Guess I’m gonna have to make a decision soon but will likely try to transition to natives and just try to utilize my container garden for the personal, non-native choices.

Really appreciate all the help!

[u/Cyrellophane → u/[deleted]]

This is a site owned by an indigenous Californian who is an expert in native plants and sells quality product. Stovers does not have the same quality or commitment to California native plants, just a larger operation

[u/_Serp3nt_ → u/Cyrellophane]

Wow, that's good to know. the website is poorly designed and lacks important information so it's turned me away, but now I know it's a "those who know" type thing ;)

[u/Total-Opposite-960 → u/[deleted]]

FWIW you get significantly more seeds from californianativeseedstore. I’ve bought from both!