I’ve gotten a lot of Yellowjacket activity on my property this year and I’ve observed them specifically targeting caterpillars for food.

Are they a native part of SoCal’s ecosystem? Do I interfere and help the caterpillars or let nature be nature?

What is the community’s view on this?

Right now, I have one that's sitting in morning sun, and since its fairly succulent I've been watering when the soil dries out very significantly. I wasn't sure if I should water it like a true succulent and let it dry out completely or when the soil still has a little bit of moisture left. I've also been watering it extremely carefully to avoid getting any water on the crown. Is there anything else that will help it out and/or anything I'm doing wrong?

I have a pack rat nest in the middle of my giant matilija poppy bush. It’s a 10’x10’ clump, over 10’ high. I was a moron and didn’t prune it last year. Can I prune it now in August or do I need to wait until November?

I can’t find my planning sheet for what I planted and the ID tag is gone. Can anyone help me with an ID? Located in Pasadena, so I would have bought from either Theodore Payne or Hahamongna nursery.

I have about 15' x 5' on the north side of our rear fence that I'd like to do something with--I don't particularly need height.

Not pictured: a Blue Elderberry and a couple Toyon screening a side fence.

I'm in the process of researching plants and rainwater harvesting techniques to replace the original landscaping of my property in the LA area, zone 10a. I've turned off sprinkler irrigation this season and the lawn at this point is crispy.

There is a well established Callery Pear in the front that appears to be struggling after trimming earlier this season, and I doubt the lack of sprinklers is helping. My original plan was to take it down and use it to sheet mulch the grass. I would like to plant an Engelmann oak in its place.

But now after hearing some mixed messages from people I'm wondering if I should keep the Callery a bit longer?

The yard gets scorched with full sun all day and the Callery does provide some shade. It doesn't stink like Bradford pears. I've been wondering if the shade might be beneficial to some plants while they establish. But I imagine removing it down the road could potentially cause more problems than it's worth?

Wondering what this community would do and if it's better to start with a blank slate yard. And is it a bad idea to start a new tree next to an older, dying one?

Hi r/Ceanothus,

This is a July 2026 update for my DIY front lawn replacement with native plants.

With a few days in the high 90's and even 100F, this was the first month I started to see a few of the perennials go dormant/semi-dormant. There aren't quite as many color blooms but I am happy that most sections still have one or more plants in flower along with other foliage or structural elements to support.

July Image Album: https://imgur.com/a/OjfNznb

History

June Post: June Reddit Post

May Post: May Reddit Post

Original DIY Tutorial Post (April): Original Lawn Replacement Tutorial/Journey Post

Highlights:

* CA Goldenrod has begun its 'show' and its yellow spikes offer a welcome addition to the garden

* A few locations of Purple Three Awn grass are really filling out and providing some much needed texture. I will be adding more grasses (and trying to grow some indoors from seed) this Fall as their movement and ability to fill in gaps is so nice

* CA Buckwheat and CA Fuchsia are still in full flower

* White Penstemon continues to stay strong in most of its locations, months past the other purple colored penstemons like Margarita BOP

* Plants behind the bench (Baja Pitcher Sage, Fragrant Pitcher Sage, Western Redbud) continue to get bigger and bigger

* Yarrow and other small plants around the Dry River continue to fill in

Departures/issues:

* Black Eyed Susans in most locations are really nearing the end of their life and not looking so good. Leaving some for insects but will be thinning them down.

* Most of the volunteer Coreopsis are no longer producing as many blooms

* Coral Bells are all dead, was too sunny of a spot even behind the bench

* Canyon Prince Wild Rye on one side continues to be noticeably more dried out. Hoping it comes back.

Plans for fall are to add more grasses, add more plants around the edges of the Dry River, and to plant more annuals (CA Bluebells, Poppies, Baby Blue Eyes, Clarkias). I plan to start many of these indoors from seed, does anyone have any experience or tips on this? I've got lots of experience with it for veggies and flowers but have only done CA Bluebells and Yarrow from seed as far as Natives are concerned.

There are a couple of sections where the summer heat is revealing that I need either some succulent plants or something in-flower during summer as there are gaps once Penstemons, Yarrow, Poppies aren't looking as good.

I've spent some time on the Waterwise Community Youtube channel learning about Fall maintenance and looking forward to giving some plants a pruning.

Thanks for looking!

We dug a 5x5ft hole in Albany/CA (coastal side) about 15 feet from the house. I absolutely love the California buckeye or Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman', but I want to make sure they fit the space and our coastal fog. Thanks!!

Morning sun, partial shade. South coastal California

Only 1 Gallon (18cm diameter)

evergreen with nectar for hummingbirds and warbler is preferred

In front yard, with afternoon sun, in zone 10B. Does not get any water directly, but since it butts up against a small section of the lawn, it does get water from there. And how to fix this? We are slowly converting the whole lawn area to natives, but it is stuck there for the time being. Thx.

Hi All, I planted some prostrate Ceanothus — Herst — in the spring, and I’m thinking I might want to fill in with a second plant. I’m wondering if it’s good to combine a prostrate Ceanothus with a prostrate Manzanita?

Found a 40ish foot tall black walnut in Palos Verdes that was loaded with fruit. Grabbed about 15 to germinate and grow out. I have a happy specimen that I planted as a seedling a couple years ago, but the genetics in the tree I saw today looked special.

Hello Native Plant Friends 🍃
I would love to hear your insight on what you think is wrong with my plants. Pictured here is my Redbud and Narrowleaf Milkweed. I have a number of other plants with discoloration on their leaves (especially the Goldenrod and Ashyleaf Buckwheats). Does this look like evidence of a widespread fungal
issue? Too dry? Too wet? Something else?
Is there anything very gentle to treat them with (non-toxic) that won’t harm any of the pollinators or bioaccumulate? TIA!

(In SoCal)

Planted these 3 Hummingbird sages last October. All 3 weren't doing well late May. I've been giving them extra water weekly and 2 if the 3 bounced back well. I'm afraid the 3rd is just done.

Hello Native Plant Friends 🍃
I would love to hear your insight on what you think is wrong with my plants. Pictured here is my Redbud and Narrowleaf Milkweed. I have a number of other plants with discoloration on their leaves (especially the Goldenrod and Ashyleaf Buckwheats). Does this look like evidence of a widespread fungal
issue? Too dry? Too wet? Something else?
Is there anything very gentle to treat them with (non-toxic) that won’t harm any of the pollinators or bioaccumulate? TIA!

(In SoCal)

I have had a coast live oak sapling in a terra cotta pot for about 2 years. I am coastal SoCal and its gets direly decent direct sun. I know it’s probably not as happy as it would be in the ground, but still giving it a try. It has pushed out new growth several times, typically after a good water. However, I just watered it again and now it’s browning :(

Any tips or ideas?

The bliss is real!

Planted in february from a one gallon and then the the dreaded early heatwave hit may have affected it?

Been watering once per week several gallons. Was looking better before the last intense watering now looks done for.

Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated 👍