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| In This Issue |
| CNGF Membership |
| CNGF Event Calendar |
| What's Coming Up? |
| Native Garden Tours |
| Earth Day |
| March Aquaponics Workshop |
| Volunteer with CNGF |
| Native Plant of the Month |
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CNGF Membership
Why join the California Native Garden Foundation?
We love native gardens and we know you do, too. Join us in changing how Californians garden. As a source for ecological restoration and biodiversity, the native garden serves many purposes in our human community. It connects people to the cycles of nature and gives them a tremendous sense of belonging wherever they live. Now, more than ever, your support of CNGF can help our community grow. As we begin our membership campaign for 2011, we have many exciting developments to tell you about. Here's what CNGF accomplished in the past 12 months. With your support we can do even more!
Here's what we plan to accomplish with your continued support:
On behalf of everyone at the Foundation, I encourage your support in promoting gardening that not only preserves our depleted natural resources, but also eliminates harmful pesticides and insecticides, and protects the health of our soils, plants, wildlife, and humans. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Alrie Middlebrook President
New Membership Levels!
We recently introduced more enticements for you to support CNGF/ELSEE! Please consider contributing at one of these levels:
CA POPPY level: For an annual contribution of $38 ($60 for Family membership), you get the newsletter, a 30% discount on workshops and classes, and a 10% discount at selected northern California nurseries (see Benefits below). You will also receive a free 4-inch plant*, so come down and see all the amazing improvements at the nursery.
MANZANITA level: $100. If you join at this level, you receive everything at the CA Poppy level, plus a second 4-inch plant (total of 2)*. But remember you have to stop by 76 Race Street to pick them up!
BLACK OAK level: $250. At this level, you receive everything at the CA Poppy level, but instead you get a 1-gallon plant* from the nursery!
COASTAL REDWOOD level: $500. At this level, you receive everything at the Black Oak level, plus a print of a flower or plant illustration of your choice, created and signed by Alrie Middlebrook -- a collector's item for the native plant lover you are.
Join Today! In addition to the nursery discounts, you receive discounts on CNGF classes and workshops. You can join or renew your membership in one of several ways:
However you wish to do it, please do it! And thank you to all of you who have renewed your memberships. You are the lifeblood of CNGF.
Alrie Middlebrook |
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| CNGF Event Calendar Bi-monthly Technical and Artistic Workshops sponsored by CNGF CNGF typically offers two workshops each month: an artistic workshop and a technical workshop. All of the twice monthly workshops benefit CNGF and help fill coffers for building ELSEE.
All events are at Middlebrook Gardens on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm, unless otherwise noted. April, 2011
So much to do in April, so no workshops this month. Go to a Native Garden Tour! Start with this: A Pre-Garden-Tour Open House and Membership Drive Saturday, April 16, 4 pm - 7 pm Please join us as we fling open the garden gate to celebrate spring! See the new butterfly garden and food towers, tour the gardens at your leisure or have a guided tour. Enjoy the cooling twilight in an intimate setting with refreshments and, of course, native plants and their friends! CNGF is continuing to grow the list of partners in The ELSEE Project: a living laboratory to educate young and not so young about ways to live sustainably.
We extend a special invitation to participants in the American Leadership Forum Fellowship.
Alrie, volunteers, and staff will be available to answer your questions about plants, future CNGF projects, and Middlebrook Gardens.
While there is no charge for the event, this is a membership drive and we are seeking supporters! May, 2011 May 14, Artistic Workshop by Carol Braham - Stone Mosaics May 28, Technical Workshop by Dickson Despommier - Vertical Farms (postponed, TBA) June, 2011 June 11, Technical Workshop by Emmet Brady - Bugs in the Garden July 16, 7:30 - 10:30 pm, Artist: Guy Slater - Music in the Garden |
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What's Coming Up? It's spring! Classes and workshops popping up all over!
CNGF invites readers all around California to let us know what's going on in your area. If you have information to share, workshops and classes about native plants to announce, or even an article to write for the newsletter, we hope you will! Write to us at info@cngf.org with Newsletter in the subject line. Thanks!
For lots of Native Garden Tours, see the following article.
Spring Classes with Glenn Keator Beginning in March Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Berkeley Dr. Glenn Keator is a popular free-lance instructor of botany in the Bay Area. He currently teaches, leads field trips, and provides docent instruction in botany for the Regional Parks Botanic Garden. He is the author of a number of books on native plants. Sign up now for the spring classes!
April Events
Master Gardeners' Spring Garden Market Saturday, April 2, 9 to 2 History San Jose at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose Come to the 17th annual Spring Garden Market for Master Gardener-grown tomatoes and peppers. Dozens of vendors with your favorite plants and garden goodies will be ready for you, as will CNGF. Stop by our booth for native plants, Alrie's book, and lots more, or just to say hi. More information and directions.
Pine Needle and Palm Basket Class Saturday, April 2, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm San Anselmo Charles Kennard teaches basket-making using locally-gathered Canary Islands pine and palm leaves to begin coiled baskets in shapes of your choosing. Adult classes. Class donation: $70 includes materials and use of tools. Reservations must be made by advance payment. For reservations or more information, contact Charles Kennard 415-457-1147; charleskennard@comcast.net
Pacheco State Park Wildflower Day Saturday, April 2, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Pacheco State Park
38787 Dinosaur Point Road, Hollister
People from State Parks, the California Native Plant Society, the Central Valley Bird Club and many others will be on hand to answer questions. Free Wildflower Day crafts for the kids.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_
California Native/Drought Tolerant Plant Selection and Design Saturday, April 9, 9 am to noon Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street, Hayward Talk by Alrie Middlebrook, sponsored by BAWSCA.
Integrated Pest Management Saturday, April 9, 9 am - 11 am UC Master Gardeners David Peterson and Judith Cody will show how we can have almost pest-free vegetable and ornamental gardens without using toxic petro-chemicals by using Integrated Pest Management. Topics include: easily available organic or natural pest and disease sprays, and cultivating a garden that is healthy for people as well as for plants. Free. No reservations necessary.
Identifying the Native and Naturalized Grasses of California, a 1-day workshop Thursday, April 14 Hedgerow Farms, Winters; offered by the California Native Grasslands Association
4th Annual CNGA Field Day at Hedgerow Farms, a 1-day event Friday, April 15 For the 4th consecutive year, CNGA is teaming up with Hedgerow Farms to provide an excellent opportunity for practical, hands-on learning about native grasses and grassland restoration. Participants will learn from expert instructors, be immersed in a wide variety of grassland projects, and enjoy networking with a diverse group of people who share a common interest in California grasslands.
Five Alternatives to the Lawn Culture by Alrie Middlebrook Saturday, April 16, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm West Valley Branch Library (Community Room)
A Pre-Garden-Tour Open House and Membership Drive Saturday, April 16, 4 pm - 7 pm Please join us as we fling open the garden gate to celebrate spring! See the new butterfly garden and food towers, tour the gardens at your leisure or have a guided tour. Enjoy the cooling twilight in an intimate setting with refreshments and, of course, native plants and their friends! While there is no charge for the event, this is a membership drive and we are seeking supporters! (More details in CNGF Event Calendar.)
Ocean-Friendly Landscaping Six Saturday Morning Classes from April 16 to May 21 Presented by the Monterey Bay Green Gardener Program Santa Cruz Adult School, 319 La Fonda Avenue, Santa Cruz Classes cover landscape design, water management, weed management, and more. Fee: 6 classes for only $30. More information (PDF).
California Native Edible Landscaping Class by Alrie Middlebrook Saturday, April 30, 10 am - 1 pm Murphy Park Building, 206 N. Sunnyvale Ave., Sunnyvale
Skep (straw beehive) Basketry Class Saturday, April 30, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm San Anselmo Charles Kennard teaches basket-making using locally-gathered Canary Islands pine and palm leaves to begin coiled baskets in shapes of your choosing. Adult classes. Class donation: $70 includes materials and use of tools. Reservations must be made by advance payment. For reservations or more information, call 415-457-1147; charleskennard@
May Events
Twined Rush Basket Workshop, 2 days Saturday and Sunday, May 21 - 22 Point Reyes Station Led by Charles Kennard, sponsored by MAPOM and Point Reyes Field Seminars, and held at Kule Loklo. Information and registration for this class at: www.ptreyes.org/fieldseminars
Grassland Monitoring Methods, a 1-day workshop Heidrick Western Center for Agricultural Equipment, UC Davis; offered by the California Native Grasslands Association How do I determine if my grassland restoration project is a success? This workshop will focus on multiple grassland monitoring techniques, including how to monitor vegetation and wildlife within a grassland setting. The course features classroom instruction as well as field practice with a variety of monitoring techniques.
June Events and Beyond
Introduction to California Grasslands and Grass ID, a 1-day workshop Pepperwood Preserve, Santa Rosa; offered by the California Native Grasslands Association Take your first steps into learning about an important yet underrated ecosystem in this new workshop that features lecture, lab, and field components. The lecture will provide an overview of California grasses and grassland diversity, ecosystem values and services, management challenges and strategies, and restoration and landscaping with native grasses.
12 Months of Color in the California Native Garden Burlingame Main Library, Lane Room 480 Primrose Road Burlingame, CA 94010 (Please use the Bellevue Avenue entrance) With water rates going up, Alrie Middlebrook will demonstrate how you can help keep your maintenance costs down. She will show you how to achieve beautiful gardens using a colorful palette. Alrie specializes in sustainable landscape design in the Bay Area.
Second Annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Open House Saturday, June 25, 9 to 4 Participating farms will be opening their doors to the public and offering family friendly tours and activities. Check the Monterey Bay Greenhouse web site for more information.
The Garden Faire Saturday, June 25, 2011 Come celebrate abundance at the second annual Garden Faire at SkyPark in Scotts Valley, hosted by CNGF and several water districts. The 2011 theme, "Celebrating Abundance," acknowledges how fortunate we are to be gardeners in a place and time that abounds with healthful fruits and vegetables, and refreshes our spirits with beauty in the garden. The Garden Faire will again be a free admission, educational event under clusters of canopies on Skypark's grassy fields, and will include:
The organizers are signing up vendors and corralling sponsors and partners. More details to come!
BOTANICAL TREASURES OF THE YOLLA BOLLY MOUNTAINS A special trip to benefit the Regional Parks Botanic Garden July 1 - 4, 2011 Led by Dr. Glenn Keator, botanist/educator, and Joe Dahl, Regional Parks Botanic Garden Supervisor. Details here.
For events that came to our attention after this newsletter shipped, and updates and changes to the schedule, check the CNGF web site.
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California-wide Tours on Tap Theodore Payne Foundation Native Garden Tour Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10 Tour 35 fabulous home gardens with a sense of place -- gardens that celebrate the nature of Southern California. More information.
San Francisco Native Plant Garden Tour Sunday, April 10, 11 to 3 More information.
Going Native Garden Tour Sunday, April 17, 10 to 4 A free tour of native gardens in Santa Clara Valley and the Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area, organized by the California Native Plant Society (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) in association with UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. Register here.
The Rollin Garden is on the GNGT Tour. Here we track its progress from pre-native backyard pool to lovely native garden.
Sign up for the Going Native Garden Tour to see how it looks today!
Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Sunday, May 1, 10 to 4 A free tour of showcase native plant gardens in the East Bay. Register here.
Bay-Friendly Garden Tour Sunday, May 1, 10 to 4 Tour Napa County Gardens, sponsored and organized by the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition. Register here.
Gardens Gone Native Tour Sunday, May 1 CNPS Sacramento Valley Chapter's first annual native garden tour of the Sacramento area. More information.
Bay-Friendly Garden Tour Sunday, May 15, 10 to 4 Tour Alameda and Santa Clara County Gardens, sponsored and organized by the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition. Register here.
California Native Garden Tour, Santa Cruz Sunday, June 12, 2011 Come to the first annual native garden tour in Santa Cruz County, sponsored by Native Revival Nursery, CNGF, Ecological Landscaping Association. To be on the tour, your garden must have 50% or more native plants and be in Santa Cruz county. For an application, email Lindsay Goldberg (lindsaylgoldberg@gmail.com) or go to the web site www.
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More April Events Not all of these events take place on Earth Day, but all honor Earth Day, and are perhaps in your neighborhood. (Thanks to CNPS for this great list of events.)
Full Circle Farm, Earth Day - Sunday, April 17, 10 - 3
1055 Dunford Way, Sunnyvale
Foothill College Earth Day / Sustainability Fair - Wednesday, April 20, 11 - 1 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills http://www.foothill.edu/index.Mission College, Earth Day - Thursday, April 21, 10 - 2 3000 Mission Blvd., Santa Clara http://www.missioncollege.org/Synaptics Earth Day - Thursday, April 21, 12 - 3 3120 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara Kaiser Permanente Earth Day / Farmers Market - Thursday, April 21, 11:30 - 1:30 2894 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara http://mydoctor. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Earth Day - Friday, April 22, 10 - 1:30 2575 Sandhill Rd., Menlo Park http://www.slac.stanford.edu/
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| March CNGF Workshop Aquaponics (March 26) 
Eric Maundu of Kijiji Grows hauled a whole lot of equipment from Berkeley with the help of Emmet Brady. Class participants pitched in and got it all inside on a blustery Saturday morning. Eric proceeded to talk about the water cycle in nature and how he uses found materials to build an Aquaponics system of nearly any size. In the hands-on workshop, participants set up a table, buckets, lights, and a large tub for the fish and connected pipes to hook it all together. Mission accomplished: Plants growing hydroponically, in water and no soil, and aquaponically, fertilized by nutrient-rich fish waste.
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| Volunteer with CNGF this Spring and Summer!
The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.
-Everett Mámor CNGF is an all-volunteer organization that depends on our members to help spread the word about native gardening, to educate the public, and to help with the myriad tasks that need to be done so that CNGF can be successful. There is lots to do, and we need a little of your time to promote the activities and ideals of native gardening.
We need people to work (play?) with us at events and help out at the CNGF booth. We sell native plants and Alrie's book, and mostly talk with other gardeners and learn a lot ourselves. It's an enjoyable time. Here are some upcoming spring and summer booth events:
Sunday, May 21, 10 to 4 - Shasta-Hanchett Home Tour and Boutique, San Jose Sunday, June 25, 9 to 5 - The Garden Faire, Scotts Valley
Can you give one hour, two, more? Your choice.
Volunteer online (be specific if you volunteering for one of these dates) or email us at info@cngf.org.
Follow your passion! The CNGF web site has many ways for you to get involved.
How to support the good work of CNGF:
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Native Plant of the MonthIris douglasiana - Douglas Iris, Pacific Coast Hybrid, yellowDouglas Iris was first collected along the Monterey Coast by Scottish botanist David Douglas in 1830. In the original species form, it is found in coastal bluffs from below Santa Barbara and north to the Oregon coast. It is commonly seen in large clumps in coastal prairies. Deer and cattle will not eat it as the leaves are very bitter. Occasionally young deer will eat the leaves but they get sick and quickly learn to ignore it.
 Douglas Iris performs well in clay soils. After a few years, it is good to divide the clumps for more vigorous blooms. I have seen massive clumps of it in coastal prairie settings. Point Reyes comes to mind.
When you see Doug iris growing under oaks in inland settings, it is usually a hybrid of Doug iris and another inland species, not the true species occurring along the coast. It hybridizes commonly with iris innomiata. The nursery trades have taken advantage of its propensity to hybridize and developed the Pacific Coast Iris Hybrids (PCH) and other hybrid irises like Canyon Snow. There is lovely color variation in these selections. One could easily have a native iris garden showing nearly every color in the rainbow.
Currently at the Nursery we have plenty of the yellow form, but there is also a deep maroon form, white with purple nectar guides, deep dark purples with yellow nectar guides and on and on. It is best to purchase these when they are flowering, which is now, so you can create a lovely composition. In inland settings, they like shade and some summer water to thrive and reproduce the larger clumps that are so attractive.
I have used them under oaks with native bunch grasses and short shrubs, like snowberry or Catalina Perfume, which can be trained to grow as a ground cover. This allows for better viewing of the iris when they are in flower. Iris grow naturally with grasses, yarrow, seaside daisy, coast buckwheat, coffeeberry, baccharis, lessengia, dune tansey, and armeria.
Creating a coastal bluff garden with boulders and soft berms is an option I frequently use on east-facing sections of inland gardens. If you plant on west-facing sections, be sure there is shade from an existing tree, the house, or a fence, otherwise your flowers will burn and be short lived in full afternoon sun.
I never tire of this timeless symbol of the California coast in Springtime.
Want more information about this species?
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