Hunting for Native Plants

We know you. You are a South Bay plant geek on the lookout for the best local places to buy California native plants. That is why you are reading this post. Where are they you ask? You already know that Armstrong's used to carry some but the search there this month was fruitless. You know that Annie's in MB used to have some but they are gone. You know unless you are a landscaper you can't get them at Kobata's in Gardena anymore. You know that International Gardens in El Segundo sometimes has some - but will they have a Catalina Ironwood Tree or that Manzanita you read about in Sunset Magazine? You missed the native plant sales at Theodore Payne and The South Coast Botanic Garden. You are tempted to go to Home Depot but you know the only thing there is Red Fountain Grass - and you know it's invasive and not a native. Bite the bullet. You have to drive out of town. Get your list together, fill up the tank and make an adventure of it. What could be better?

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Tree of Life Nursery
33201 Ortega Highway
P.O. Box 635
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693

949-728-0685 call for retail hours

www.treeoflifenursery.com

Las Pilitas Nursery

8331 Nelson Way,

Escondido, CA 92026

760-749-5930 call for retail hours

www.laspilitas.com

El Nativo Growers

626-969-8449

Plants may be ordered via e-mail @

retailsales@elnativogrowers.com and then picked up in Azusa, CA

www.elnativogrowers.com

LOS ANGELES

Theodore Payne Foundation
10459 Tuxford Street

Sun Valley, CA 91352

www.theodorepayne.org

818-768-1802 call for days & hours

Gardeners, Gooseberries and Goldfinches

A typical Spring Friday at the garden brings out new volunteers, new plants and new birds. As Julie writes in a recent email:

"Another FAB day! No trash left behind or vandalism of any kind, and the water feature looked terrific. Gretchen and I had talked about planting yet another variety of manzanita (recommended as easiest to grow by Tree Of Life Nursery) up near the west entrance, so those are now in. Among the about 10 volunteers, Marilyn helped plant a new kind of Gooseberry in Kathy C's area. There were oodles of birds...shown are some Lesser Goldfinches at one of the feeders."

Thanks Julie!

Photo by Julie Gonella

The Saga of the Path

This February brought much needed rain to the garden. We are all pretty happy about that. As many of you know, along with showers we once again lost alot of our decomposed granite path. We are not so happy about that. This has been an issue for a number of years now with much lively discussion and debate ongoing on the board and amongst the volunteers about what a final solution might be. We have researched a number of ideas, and seen a few of the newer permeable paving surfaces but have yet to find something we like that has a natural feel, is permeable and is cost-effective. The old-timers here say that the consensus always ends up with most of us liking the DG during most of the year until it rains - and then we discuss it all over again. Well we have to have something to debate!

Beach Reporter

We are pleased to announce that as of Spring '09 the MBBG will be contributing to a regular article in our local South Bay Paper, The Beach Reporter. We plan on tackling issues such as the new City water ordinance and how to kill your lawn. We will also be writing about some of our favorite plants. Have a topic suggestion? Let us know!

Tree Pruning Demo

Along with the Manhattan Canopy Tree Committee, VOICE and the City of Manhattan Beach, we plan to sponsor several tree pruning demonstrations this year. Enviroscape's Mike Garcia and Arborists Ann Barklow from Garden Magic Company and Greg Monfette will be on hand to answer questions. The first demo. is January 24th at the garden from 9:00 - 12:00.

Get the MCTC's handout here (pdf)

Fall 2008 Classes at the Garden - Free!

Fall Class Schedule 2008

For Complete details, please go to the MBBG hompage

Learn How to Kill Your Lawn
Sept. 20, 10-11 am
Mimi Andersen & Ann Barklow, Garden Magic Company

Gardening with Natives
Sept. 27, 10-11 am
Jon Bell, instructor, Annie’s Nursery

Water Saving Irrigation Technology
Oct. 4, 10-11 am
Mike Garcia, instructor, Enviroscape

Insects: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Oct. 18, 10-11 am
Gretchen Renshaw-Zwissler, UCLA Instructor

Let’s Talk Trees
Nov. 1, 10-11 am
Ann Barklow, Certified Arborist

Water-Efficient Pondless Waterfalls
Nov. 8, 10-11 am
Mike Garcia, instructor, Enviroscape

Reiki in the Garden
Nov. 15, 10-11 am
Sheri Hein, Certified Instructor

Harvest Moonwatch at the Garden

Over 50 people attended the Sept. 14th Harvest Moonwatch event at the garden! The gala included telescope viewing of la luna and conversation with an astronomer as well as music, dance performances, poetry readings and iced green tea and moon cake refreshments! Thanks to the Moon Committee and it's fearless leader, John Scott, for making this full moon event so special.