© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2013 (our 9th year)

© Project SOUND

In a Japanese Garden: Using CA Native Pines,

Junipers & Other

Gymnosperms

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

December 7 & 10, 2013

2014: Bringing Nature Home - Lessons

from Gardening Traditions Worldwide

© Project SOUND

What do you think of when you hear the

words ‘Japanese Garden’?

Ponds/lakes

Streams

Waterfalls

Japanese lanterns

Bridges

Green, green & more green

Evergreen shrubs & trees

Careful, formal pruning

Not a leaf in sight

Pink/purple flowers

Colorful fall leaves

Peaceful/meditation

© Project SOUND

http://www.interiorholic.com/outdoors/landscaping/japanese-

stroll-garden-designs/

http://thephotogardenbee.com/2010/03/01/the-huntingtons-japanese-garden-in-san-marino-

california/

There are actually several Japanese

garden types/styles

© Project SOUND

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden

Dry Zen/meditation Garden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden

Promenade or Stroll Garden

Many local ‘Japanese Gardens’ combine

several types/styles

© Project SOUND

http://www.culturalnews.com/?p=7620

Earl Burns

Miller Japanese

Garden

© Project SOUND

CSULB - 1250 N Bellflower

Blvd Long Beach

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/28218598.jpg

Japanese garden – Descanso Gardens

© Project SOUND

http://www.descansogardens.org/

Huntington Library

100 years old – very established

Also the new Chinese Garden

Well worth the trip in any season

© Project SOUND http://thephotogardenbee.com/2010/03/01/the-huntingtons-japanese-garden-in-san-marino-

california/

Suiho En, the garden of water and

fragrance - Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (Woodley Park,

6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys)

6.5 acres

Designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana; constructed 1980-1983.

Ranked 10 of300 public Japanese gardens in the United States by the Journal of Japanese Gardening.

Includes: a dry Zen meditation garden (Karesansui); large chisen, or "wet strolling" garden with waterfalls, lakes, greenery; an authentic tea house and adjacent tea garden.

© Project SOUND

http://pumpkinmania.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-visit-to-japanese-garden-suiho-en-at.html

© Project SOUND

Can there ever truly be a ‘Japanese

Garden’ in S. California (or outside of

Japan, for that matter) ?

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/28218598.jpg

Japan’s climate is

not our climate

Much more like the Pacific Northwest or N. CA:

More rainfall; higher humidity (fog)

Colder in winter

Landforms: more vulcanism than tectonic uplifting

Forests/mountains/sea more accessible (at least where some of the famous gardens are - can ‘borrow’ the outside landscapes better than we can)

© Project SOUND

http://www.worldpress.org/images/maps/world_600w.jpg

Bottom line: Japan and Japanese culture are

quite different

But like all gardening traditions, Japanese

gardening has lessons to teach us

© Project SOUND

http://www.asherbrowne.com/

The Japanese gardening tradition reflects

Japanese history

Shinto religion: Reverence for the natural world

The special holiness of certain places, natural objects

Need to keep ‘animals’ (including humans) and other things in or out:

Fences & gates separate world into sacred & profane

The garden is a ‘place apart’ from the outside world

A ‘retreat’ that allows for renewal

© Project SOUND

http://travelpast50.com/roadside-shinto-shrine-nikko-japan/

http://www.chinagardensociety-kc.org/ChineseGarden_KC.htm

The Japanese gardening tradition reflects

Japanese history

Influence of China & Korea (~700-800 A.D)

Gardening traditions go back > 3000 years – include large public gardens and small

Many elements influenced Japanese gardening tradition:

The idea of gardens producing harmony between humans & nature

Enclosure: walled gardens

Specific elements: ponds, rock works, trees and flowers

Winding paths connecting a series of carefully composed scenes

© Project SOUND

http://www.chinagardensociety-kc.org/ChineseGarden_KC.htm

http://www.chinatoday.com/culture/chinese_garden.htm

The Japanese gardening tradition reflects

Japanese history

Reverence for tradition – and the many 100’s of years of formal gardening tradition

Importance of studying/ studying with the masters

Demographics

City life: need to bring nature to people who were becoming removed from it – and had leisure to enjoy it

Small islands/limited land/growing population – the need for retreat

© Project SOUND

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4093/4782591223_3e68c8420d_z.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g406/kunouero/41R.jpg

Roji (Cha-niwa)

Teahouse Gardens

Simple, small rustic gardens, often with teahouses

Purpose: transition – path/passage between the mundane cares/ stresses of the secular world and the detached spiritual realm of the tea ceremony

© Project SOUND http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/exterior-design-architecture/12/traditional-japanese-

garden.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden

The Tea Garden Evokes the remoteness and tranquility of the mountains, and provides an illusion of depth.

Guests are made to feel as if they were walking along a simple mountain path, so the prevailing colors are greens and browns of various shades and intensities.

Few exotic/flowering plants – would distract

Seasons are subtly reflected through autumn leaves or spring buds; variety in diverse shapes and levels of shininess of the leaves.

© Project SOUND

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden,

Pasadena

© Project SOUND

http://japanesegardenpasadena.com/

But how do we apply the principles of

Japanese gardening to our own gardens?

© Project SOUND

The lessons of Japanese Gardens are

reflected in the ‘essence’ of the tradition

A garden is at its best when it reflects some of the themes found in nature, yet elevates and interprets those themes into an artful expression of human interaction with the land.

© Project SOUND

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v44/Dragynstorm/Japan2012/Japan20

12_F_57_zps7707e7eb.jpg

http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/garden-styles/asian.html

The ‘essence’ of Japanese gardening is

to capture the ‘spirit’ of the natural world

in which we live - and bring it home

© Project SOUND

The ‘spirit’ of Japanese gardening is

rooted in a sense of place

© Project SOUND

‘The essence of nature created in a smaller space’

So a Japanese-influenced California garden interprets California landscapes – and will never look like a Japanese garden in Japan

© Project SOUND

http://www.zimbio.com/Gordon+Smith/articles/_2JMBjlKz-1/Nontraditional+Japanese+Garden+Arroyo+Grande

Classical plants for

Japanese gardens

Trees: Japanese maple Flowering cherry Gingko Podocarpus

Shrubs: Bamboo Camellia Azalea Pine Juniper

Groundcovers & perennials: Asiatic jasmine Star jasmine Ginger Ferns Liriope Thyme Mondo grass

© Project SOUND

http://www.interiorholic.com/outdoors/landscaping/japanese-stroll-

garden-designs/

http://thephotogardenbee.com/2010/03/01/the-huntingtons-japanese-garden-in-san-marino-

california/

© Project SOUND

Before designing a garden we must first study

natural landscapes in detail, to determine the

‘essence’ of the California landscape

Choices for ‘Japanese influenced’ CA garden

N. CA coastal and mountain forests – most like Japanese forests

S. CA forests – drier, but still forest communities

More local plant communities

Coastal Prairie/shrubland

Coastal Sage Scrub

Coastal Chaparral (Santa Monica Mtns)

© Project SOUND

First we need to develop a deep understanding of the natural landscape

Then we must determine the ‘essence’ of what makes our California landscape unique

Only then can we apply traditional principles for ‘bringing nature home’

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND http://gallery.photo.net/photo/15348535-md.jpg

N. California evergreen forests

© Project SOUND

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_California_coastal_fo

rests_(WWF_ecoregion)

Cool, damp, foggy with relatively rich, organic soils

Coastal redwood forest

© Project SOUND

Mixed evergreen forest

Closed-cone pine forest

The ‘essence’ of the

coastal northern forest

Shade: medium to dense

Play of light and shade; may be islands of sun

Straight tree trunks: column/pole-like and often large

Evergreen Gymnosperms

Smaller understory plants: often vine-like

Spots of color in mostly green landscape

Mostly flat – fades out into the mist

© Project SOUND

http://www.lizasreef.com/HOPE%20FOR%20THE%20RAIN%20FORESTS/rain_forests_of_the_

world.htm

Evolution of plants

The gymnosperms are older than the angiosperms (flowering plants) by quite a bit (~ 400 MYA vs ~ 150 MYA)

The gymnosperms:

Have pollen & seeds

Do not have flowers or fruits; are not dependent on living pollinators

Pollen comes into ‘direct’ contact with ovule (seed) for fertilization to occur

© Project SOUND

http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/plantrelat.gif

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-iii/kingdoms-living-world/gymnosperms.php

The Gymnosperms: old and less mighty

than in the past

700 living species

Classically divided into four divisions (sub-classes): Conifers: pines,

spruce, cypress – worldwide

Cycads (such as the sago palm) - tropics

Ginkgos (the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba) - Asia

Gnetophytes (such as Mormon tea, Ephedra

© Project SOUND

http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/biobookdiversity_6.html

A modern representation of the phylogeny

of gymnosperms based on chloroplast DNA.

© Project SOUND

The pine family (Pinaceae) and a sister branch leading to six additional families have a common ancestor within the division Pinophyta.

In other words, the seven major families of cone-bearing trees and shrubs all evolved from the division Pinophyta.

http://sydkab.wordpress.com/tag/gondwanaland/

Division Pinophyta: California natives

Family Pinaceae: Cedrus, Pinus, Cathaya, Picea, Pseudotsuga, Larix, Pseudolarix, Tsuga, Nothotsuga, Keteleeria, Abies

Family Cupressaceae: Cunninghamia, Taiwania, Athrotaxis, Metasequoia, Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, Cryptomeria, Glyptostrobus, Taxodium, Papuacedrus, Austrocedrus, Libocedrus, Pilgerodendron, Widdringtonia, Diselma, Fitzroya, Callitris (incl. Actinostrobus), Neocallitropsis, Thujopsis, Thuja, Fokienia, Chamaecyparis, Cupressus, Hesperocyparis, Juniperus, Calocedrus, Tetraclinis, Platycladus, Microbiota

Family Taxaceae: Austrotaxus, Pseudotaxus, Taxus, Cephalotaxus, Amentotaxus, Torreya

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

* California Nutmeg – Torreya californica

©2011 George Jackson

N. Calif. Endemic

Its range has two distinct parts: Coast Ranges - from southwest Trinity County

south to Monterey County

Cascade-Sierra Nevada foothills - from Shasta County south to Tulare County.

Cool, humid, wooded slopes, shady canyons in forest or woodland, sometimes chaparral

© Project SOUND

* California Nutmeg – Torreya californica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torreya_californica

http://www.budomonk.com/california-nutmeg.html

The genus Torreya : an old taxon

~ 170 million years

Once widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere - fossil records from Europe, Greenland, AK, British Columbia, OR, CO, VA, NC

Now extremely spatially disjunction distribution.

? Out-competed

? Climate change

Five species now: three in eastern Asia, one in California (T. californica) and a small range in northern Florida (T. taxifolia) .

© Project SOUND

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Torreya_nucifera_SZ129.png

© Project SOUND

CA Nutmeg: a woodland evergreen tree

Size: 40-60+ ft tall

20-40 ft wide

Growth form: Upright tree from central

leader: conical then rounded

Evergreen; branches appear to droop

Looks like yew or redwood

Slow growing

Bark: thin, gray-brown

Foliage: Small, sharp ‘needles’

Very aromatic – like sandalwood

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Torreya_californica http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=420

© Project SOUND

Female ‘cones’ : unusual

Blooms: in spring

Flowers: Dioecious: separate male

and female trees (usually)

Pollen cones: small, wind pollinated (typical of gymnosperms)

Seeds: Female cones have fleshy

covering – green then purple-brown

Shape/size reminiscent of the true nutmeg

2 years to mature

Decorative/interesting: food for birds, animals

http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall%2003%20project/Nutmeg.html

http://www.conifers.org/ta/Torreya_californica.php

Charles Webber © California Academy

of Sciences.

© Project SOUND

Forest conditions Soils: Texture: any well-drained,

including clays

pH: any local – takes acidic

Light: In our are, best in part-shade to

even full shade

Water: Winter: plenty

Summer: Water Zone 2-3 to 3; young trees may benefit from occasional misting on cool days

Fertilizer: fine with ½ strength fertilizer; best with organic forest mulch

Other: dislikes wind

© Project SOUND

Gardening with Torreya

Specimen tree in shady spots

Large screen/barrier hedge (sharp)

Good for large containers/bonsai – slow growing

http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall%2003%20proje

ct/Nutmeg.html

©2012 Belinda Lo

http://selectree.calpoly.edu/Photos/Torreya_califo

rnica/images/tree.jpg

Be sure you smell before

you buy

The ‘essence’ of the

coastal northern forest

Shade: medium to dense

Play of light and shade; may be islands of sun

Straight tree trunks: column/pole-like and often large

Smaller understory plants: often vine-like

Spots of color in mostly green landscape

Mostly flat – fades out into the mist

© Project SOUND

http://www.lizasreef.com/HOPE%20FOR%20THE%20RAIN%20FORESTS/rain_forests_of_the_

world.htm

When choosing gymnosperms

consider their size

N/central CA Mixed Evergreen Forest

© Project SOUND

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5171898.bmp

Essence of N. CA mountain

evergreen forests

Vistas

Slopes & valleys

Sun and shade

Drier than Coastal forests

‘specimen’ evergreen trees

Rocks/boulders

© Project SOUND

http://travelonastudentbudget.com/?tag=angeles-national-forest

http://www.kcet.org/news/the_back_forty/commentary/golden-green/the-angeles-

national-forest-is.html

The essence of N. CA

forests in a garden

Gymnosperms

Large trees

Light and shade

Illusion of distance & slope

Cool, green appearance

Specimen tree or not

Smaller understory plants: often vine-like

Spots of color in mostly green landscape

© Project SOUND

http://www.moplants.com/secrets-of-coast-redwood/

Take home message: capture

the essential features

© Project SOUND

* Incense Cedar – Calocedrus decurrens

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Montane forests from Oregon south through California to northern Baja California, Mexico and east to western Nevada

Locally in San Gabriel Mtns.

On mesic sites including riparian habitats in mixed-evergreen, yellow-pine forests, 2000-7000 feet

© Project SOUND

* Incense Cedar – Calocedrus decurrens

© 2005 Steven Perkins

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?157,158,159

© Project SOUND

Incense Cedar: magnificent

Evergreen tree in large yards, parks, business parks, schools, other large areas

Used as a large screen

Good for large Asian-themed gardens

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/37860873 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calocedrus_decurrens http://shriverfarms.com/default.aspx

© Project SOUND

* California Juniper – Juniperus californica

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juniperus_californica_Mount_Diablo.jpg

Mountain slopes of W. CA into Baja; desert mountains of S. CA, NV & AZ – locally in Antelope Valley & desert side of San Gabriels

In S. CA commonly occurs in pinyon-juniper woodlands that border and integrate with chaparral along desert margins

© Project SOUND

* California Juniper – Juniperus californica

© 2003 Monty Rickard http://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_californica.php

© Project SOUND

Use where ever you

want a juniper

As an unusual bonsai

On hot, dry slopes

As a specimen or hedge plant

For it’s great habitat value http://www.fourdir.com/p_california_juniper.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juniperus_californica_Mount_Diablo.jpg

Bonsai in Japanese

gardens

The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).

Not usually included in Japanese gardens per se

Take home message for small gardens: large plants that can be trained for bonsai are good candidates for container plants (junipers, pines, oaks, some flowering shrubs)

© Project SOUND

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atlas_Cedar,_GSBF-CN_120,_September_12,_2008.jpg

http://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2013/11/23/japan-international-bonsai-tour-exploration-autumn-

2013-part-5/

© Project SOUND

* Common Juniper – Juniperus communis

var. montana (saxatilis)

Juniperus communis, the common juniper

Has the largest range of any woody plant, throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic south in mountains to around 30°N latitude in North America, Europe and Asia.

© Project SOUND

http://shelf3d.com/i/juniperus%20communis

© Project SOUND

* Common Juniper – Juniperus communis var. montana

In CA: Klamath Ranges, High Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains

Dry rocky soil and rock crevices on slopes and summits

Yellow Pine Forest, Douglas-Fir Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, slopes http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu

/cgi-

bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=60424

©2012 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Common juniper: woody groundcover

Size: 1-5 ft tall

4-10+ ft wide

Growth form: Evergreen

Mounded to mat-like; spreading w/ age

Live 150+ years

Moderate growth rate

Foliage: Blue-green or medium green

Sharp needles in bundles of 3

Bark – red-brown, thin peeling

Foliage makes nice orange dye

©2009 Barry Breckling

©2012 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Female fruits are showy

Blooms: spring

Flowers: male and female; usually on separate plants

Female fruits/cones: Look like berries – typical of

junipers

Take 2 years to ripen

Begin green, then red; blue with white bloom when ripe

©2012 Jean Pawek

©2010 Louis-M. Landry

Juniper berries spice

up foods

The cones from a handful of species are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine and native SW U.S. - also give gin its distinguishing flavor

In addition to J. communis, other edible species include Juniperus californica which is said to have ‘sweet’ berries

The mature, dark berries are usually but not exclusively used in cuisine, while gin is flavored with fully grown but immature green berries

© Project SOUND

http://mojavedesert.net/plants/shrubs/juniper.html

© 2005 James M. Andre

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: just about any

pH: any local

Light: full sun to light shade; fine under high canopy

Water: Winter: adequate; no

standing water

Summer: best with occasional – Water Zone 1-2 or 2

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils but fine with leaf mulch

Other: nice natural shape, but can be pruned; watch for Juniper Blight

©2008 Louis-M. Landry

http://web.ewu.edu/ewflora/Cupressaceae/Juniperus%20communis.html

© Project SOUND

Common juniper in the garden

As an attractive pot plant, bonsai

Evergreen groundcover, under tall trees

Rock gardens

Woodland/habitat gardens

In Asian-themed gardens

http://www.bonsai.de/shop/images/SH040_wacholder_juniperus_communis_bonsai.jpg

http://conservationgardenpark.org/plants/443/common-juniper/ Susan McDougall @ USDA-NRCS

PLANTS Database

Junipers as medicine

Tea from foliage: Tonic

Diuretic/kidney cleanser

Colds/flu

Arthritis, muscle aches

Tea/infusion of ‘berries’ stomach ailments

Colds/lung ailments

Kidney ailments

Smoke: Ritual purification

© Project SOUND

Care must be taken to limit consumption

In the wilds, junipers often grow with other

native evergreens

© Project SOUND

©2005 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

© Project SOUND

* Sitka spruce – Picea sitchensis

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Picea_sitchensis_forest.jpg

Tree of northern temperate rainforests – truly not our climate

Very large – not for most gardens

Sold in nurseries throughout the U.S.

© Project SOUND

* Sitka spruce – Picea sitchensis

http://www.humboldt.edu/redwoods/photos/spruce.php

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Picea_sitchensis_

distribution_map.png

http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Olympic/Olympic8.html

Dwarf cultivars: very

different look

Shrub-size: 4-8+ ft.

Round ball – not statuesque tree

Useful, but not the real feel

© Project SOUND

Picea sitchensis ‘Papoose’

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/images/pisip38.jpg

Picea sitchensis ‘Tenas’ http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/11463464.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Douglas fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudotsuga_menziesii_2.JPG

© Project SOUND

* Bigcone spruce – Pseudotsuga macrocarpa

On Mt. Wilson – San Gabriel Mountains

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudotsuga_macrocarpa_Mount_Wilson_CA.jpg

http://davisla.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/plant-of-the-week-pseudotsuga-macrocarpa/

Ideas for including the ‘essence’ of big

trees in a smaller garden

If a neighbor has a large pine, cypress or juniper, make use of ‘borrowed landscape

© Project SOUND

Incorporate large uprights in architecture to suggest tree trunks

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/2569495.jpg

http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/exterior-design-architecture/12/traditional-japanese-

garden.html

Ideas for including the ‘essence’ of big

trees in a smaller garden

© Project SOUND

Use smaller trees (or container plants) to suggest larger trees

http://www.atedadesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/japanese-garden-designs.jpg

Cypresses are common components of

CA evergreen forests

© Project SOUND

Junipers and Cypresses are similar, but

their cones are quite different

Cypress (Hesperocyparis) are distinguished by woody cones, often persistent on older branches and opening (scales separating) upon fire

Juniperus has succulent cones with fused scales, developing at the ends of leafy green branches (or in axils of leaves).

© Project SOUND

A Cypress is a Cypress: whatever

happened to the genus Cupressus?

Molecular studies have led to splitting of the genus and transfer of species among four genera:

Cupressus - Old World

Callitropsis - nw N Amer.

Chamaecyparis - 2 spp in N. Amer. and 3 in e Asia)

Hesperocyparis - 16 spp. w N Amer. to Columbia

© Project SOUND

Millions of years ago, cypress woodlands containing one or more ancestral species of the cone-bearing Hesperocyparis dominated vast areas of California. During the past 20 million years, as mountains were uplifted and the climate became increasingly more arid, most of these extensive cypress woodlands vanished.

© Project SOUND

Cypress ‘Islands’ are unique and

endangered

Today 10 species (or 8 species and 2 subspecies) are confined to isolated groves scattered throughout coastal and inland mountains, from the Mexican border to Oregon.

Some of these populations became isolated; gradual changes over millions of years resulted in the present-day species and subspecies.

Cypress of arid inland mountains and valleys (such as Piute cypress, Macnab cypress, Cuyamaca cypress, and Arizona cypress) have developed glandular (resinous) foliage and are more drought resistant.

© Project SOUND

Tecate Cypress

Monterey Cypress - Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

© Project SOUND http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/why-plant-names-change-2/ http://treesofsantacruzcounty.blogspot.com/search/label/Cupressus%20macrocarpa

© Project SOUND

http://www.cnps-sgm.org/gallery/show.php?picloc=images-SturtevantFalls0704/SturtevantFalls041-TheTrack-m.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Tecate Cypress – Hesperocyparis forbesii

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

* Tecate Cypress – Hesperocyparis forbesii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=89295

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrolo

gy/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=784

Very rare – 15 U.S. populations; formerly more widespread – in La Brea tar from Pleistocene

Santa Ana Mountains (Orange County); Guatay Mountain, Otay Mountain (San Diego County); Mount Tecate on the U.S.-Mexican boundary; N. Baja.

Dry slopes, exposed hillsides, ridgetops; also along stream banks/arroyos, 1,500 to 5,000 feet

© Project SOUND

Tecate Cypress is a well-mannered evergreen

Size: to 20+ ft tall; grows

quickly to 12 ft. then slows

6-8 ft wide

Growth form: Woody evergreen tree;

may be shrubby, many-branched with age

Bark lovely; peeling and nice colors

Long-lived (100’s of years)

Foliage: Pretty typical Cypress

Nice looking; neater than Italian Cypress

Roots: taproot and laterals

http://www.conifers.org/cu/cup/forbesii.htm

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/tecatecypress.html

© Project SOUND

Cones are distinctive

Flowers: Separate male & female

flowers

You probably won’t notice it blooming

Cones: Male cones numerous; unusual

looking – on small branches

Female cones are larger and attached to larger branches Start out green – gradually

become dry & hard

Take 2 years to mature; remain on tree for several years

Need hot temperatures (fire) to open & release seeds

http://www.conifers.org/cu/cup/forbesii.htm http://www.conifers.org/cu/cup/forbesii.htm

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: best in coarse, well-

drained soils

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: rain usually adequate

Summer: none or very little after established; over watering can make susceptible to blow-down

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: Easy under proper conditions

© Project SOUND

Uses in the garden

Anywhere you might consider a non-native Cypress

Great on dry hillsides – is fire-prone

Excellent as an evergreen hedge or screen

Impressive specimen plant

http://www.geographylists.com/tecate_cypress.jpg

http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/heritagevic#detail_places;70998

http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/pictures/Cupressus_forbesii_tecate_cypress.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Piute Cypress – Hesperocyparis nevadensis

©2008 Matt Teel

Narrow endemic: Kern County: the drainage of Bodfish Creek, and, at 4000 feet, on Red Hill in the Paiute Mountains where it grows at elevations of 5000-6000 feet with Juniperus californica, Pinus sabiniana, P. monophylla and Ephedra viridis

© Project SOUND

* Piute Cypress – Hesperocyparis nevadensis

http://ucjeps.berkel

ey.edu/cgi-

bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=

89300

http://www.conifers.org/cu/Cupressus_nevadensis.php

©2012 Joey Malone

© Project SOUND

Paiute Cypress: majestic tree

Size: 30-50+ ft tall

20-30 ft wide

Growth form: Tree with straight

central leader

Pyramidal in youth; top is rounded with age

Fast growing to 20 ft.

Wonderful rustic bark

Foliage: Medium to gray-green

Scale-like leaves

Strongly aromatic

©2008 Matt Teel

©2002 Dr. Louis Emmet Mahoney

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cupressus_nevadensis_resin_glands.jpg

© Project SOUND

Cones are cypress-type

Blooms: winter-early spring; separate pollen, seed cones on same plant

Female cones: Round; brown becoming gray

with age

Ripen in 1 year

On short lateral shoots near branch tips; nice appearance

Only open when exposed to high temperatures

©2008 Matt Teel

©2002 Dr. Louis Emmet Mahoney

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any well-drained

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: looks best with occasional to somewhat regular water – Zone 2 or 2-3, though quite drought tolerant

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: can be pruned to shape, even hedged - but has a nice natural shape; watch for fungal diseases, bark borers

©2012 Joey Malone

© Project SOUND

Uses for Piute Cypress

Planted as an ornamental tree, particularly for gray foliage

Nice large background plants – or drought-tolerant large hedges/screens

Hardy – planted along roads in Santa Monica mtns

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/cupressus-nevadensis

http://www.worldbotanical.com/images/145-Cupressus.jpg

http://jaysullivan.org/cypresn.htm

Essence of a drier CA forest

Moderate size trees – some with straight, vertical trunks

Open vistas with distant hills

Evergreens often mixed with other plant communities (patches in chaparral/ oak woodland)

Dry shade (more open); light/shade

© Project SOUND

©2010 Rebecca Wenk

Ideas for small gardens

‘borrow’ a nice landscape – if there’s one to borrow

Suggest distance Medium gray-brown to gray-

green fences

Living ‘screens;

© Project SOUND

http://agardenbydesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/something-borrowed-part-1.html

http://freshfurnitureidea.com/garden/asian-garden-design-ideas/

You may have noticed that cypress’ and

pines go together – in nature and gardens

© Project SOUND

http://achefinthegarden.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

© Project SOUND

* Coast Pine – Pinus contorta var. contorta

http://sjgbloom2012.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/pinus-contorta-shore-pine-15-2/

Pinus contorta subsp. contorta — Shore pine; Pacific Coast, S. AK to N. California

Pinus contorta subsp. murrayana — Tamarack pine, or Sierra lodgepole pine (large tree) – in San Bernardino Mtns

© Project SOUND

*Coast Pine – Pinus contorta var. contorta

©2012 Vernon Smith http://www.mostlynatives.com/plants/pinus-contorta

© Project SOUND

Coast pine

Size: 20-50 ft tall

10-25 ft wide

Growth form: Variable with age, environmental

conditions

Usually multi-branched, irregular; may be wind-swept

Foliage: Needles short, medium/dark

green – may be sparse or dense

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/plants/trees/conifer/pine/pinus/contortacontorta.html

© Project SOUND

Cones are irregular

Blooms: in spring - pollen

Flowers: Separate male, female cones

Female cones: two years to mature; may remain on tree for long time

Cones relatively small, irregular shape

Seeds: Ripen in fall

Edible – good for jays and other birds that eat pine nuts

©2012 Aaron Arthur ©2012 Vernon Smith

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: most, including sandy or

poorly drained

pH: any but high pH (> 8.0)

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: adequate – remember

where plant originates

Summer: semi-regular best; Zone 2 to 2-3 depending on soil drainage

Fertilizer: none; fine with poor soils

Other: organic mulch as must

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_contorta

© Project SOUND

Gardening with Shore pine

As an attractive container plant

Pair with Bishop pine (Pinus muricata), Common juniper (Juniperus communis) and naked sedge (Calamagrostis nutkatensis) for ‘N. coast garden’

Fine for immediate coast

http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/plants/trees/conifer/pine/pinus/contortacontorta.html

http://www.pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=179

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/picoc1.htm

© Project SOUND http://sjgbloom2012.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/pinus-contorta-shore-pine-15-2/

S. CA mountains have lovely pines

© Project SOUND http://www.flickriver.com/photos/mattmcgrath/sets/72157604318436716/

© Project SOUND http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/pinus-ponderosa

http://activerain.com/blogsview/253030/traveling-to-shingletown-from-redding-california-

ponderosa-pines-bar-and-grill-is-a-must

*Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/pinus-ponderosa

© Project SOUND

*Coulter Pine – Pinus coulteri

http://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_coulteri.php

Grows in San Bernardino Mtns

http://www.gardensandplants.com/uk/plant.aspx?plant

_id=2497

© Project SOUND

* Jeffrey Pine – Pinus jeffreyi

On Mt. Pinos

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pinus_jeffreyi

© Project SOUND

* Bishop Pine – Pinus muricata

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

Narrow endemic: several places on N/Central coast and in Baja (incl. Cedros Isl.)

Dry ridges to coastal, windshorn forests, often in or around bogs in Redwood forest, n coastal conifer forest, closed-cone-pine forest, chaparral < ~1500 ft

© Project SOUND

* Bishop Pine – Pinus muricata

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=38287

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

© Project SOUND

Bishop pine reflects its environment

Size: moderate for pine 40-70 ft tall

20-30+ ft wide

Growth form: May be rounded and wind-

swept on coast; taller and more pyramidal away from coast (and in youth)

High canopy; dark, furrowed bark with age

Relatively fast growth to 20 ft; 50-150+ years

Foliage: Dark green; medium

length needles

©2013 Jason Matthias Mills

© Project SOUND

Cones stick around…

Blooms: in spring

Cones: Separate pollen/seed cones

Seed cones long and pointed’ usually hang down from branches

Remain unopened until exposed to high heat (usually fire; may open with hot weather); many on mature tree at one time and old ones are ultimately enclosed by bark (‘eaten’)

Seeds: Mature in 3 years

©2004 Charles E. Jones

©2012 Aaron E. Sims

© Project SOUND

Bishop pine: N. CA

coastal tree

Soils: Texture: any well-drained,

including sandy or rocky

pH: any local

Light: Full sun (foggier coastal areas);

part-shade elsewhere

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: occasional to moderate (Water Zones 2 or 2-3; 2 or less with age)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; organic mulch

Other: susceptible to Aphids and Beetle Borers, Phytophthora, Root Rot, Rust and Pitch Canker

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/pinus-muricata

© Project SOUND

Bishop pine takes to local gardens

Wherever a moderate-size pine is needed, including coastal gardens, semi-dry slopes, windbreaks/tall hedges

Asian-themed gardens

Large plantings, including public/ commercial (schools; parks; etc.)

Prune up and can garden beneath (grasses; ferns; other natural understory

Introduced into CA gardens by Theodore Payne http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=1058

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pinus_muricata Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5683301494

_a469cd8fbf.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Knobcone pine – Pinus attenuata

http://www.baumkunde.de/Pinus_attenuata/

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/pinus-attenuata

© Project SOUND

* CA Foothill Pine – Pinus sabiniana

©2003 BonTerra Consulting

Foothills in coastal ranges, Sierras south to Ventura Co.

Dry slopes & ridges below 4500 ft. in foothill woodlands, n oak woodland, chaparral

AKA: Bull pine; Gray pine

Fossils suggest only recently adapted to the Mediterranean climate - closest relatives are at higher elevations in the southwest US and Mexico.

Humans likely contributed to the current distribution pattern, including the large gap in distribution in Tulare County.

© Project SOUND

* CA Foothill Pine – Pinus sabiniana

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?PISA2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_sabiniana

© Project SOUND

CA Foothill Pine: moderate size but looks big

Size: 40-80 ft tall (40-50 in garden)

25-35 ft wide

Growth form: Pyramidal in youth; high, rounded

canopy with age

Single leader

Fast to 40-45 ft in 15 years

Lives 200+ years in wild

Foliage: Color: most often gray-green; open

airy – can garden beneath

Longish needles

Graceful appearance

Roots & twigs used for basketry

©2013 Susan McDougall

©2011 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Seeds: among the best

Blooms: spring

Female cones: Produced after 10-25 yrs

Large (6-10 inches; 1-2 lb) with long, sharp ‘beaks’

Mature in 2 years; persist 5-7 years

Open slowly, releasing seeds

Seeds: Large; predictable crop

Hard-shelled; need to process

Eaten fresh, roasted, boiled or pounded and mixed with cold water and other seeds for small cakes, thin mush

©2011 Neal Kramer

©2011 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Foothill Pine: Dry Soils: Texture: well-drained a must

pH: any local

Light: full sun to light shade

Water: Winter: adequate; supplement

if needed

Summer: drought tolerant; best with occasional water (Water Zones 1-2 to 2)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: susceptible to western gall rust and bark beetles; don’t over-water, and watch for signs

© Project SOUND

Foothill Pine

©2012 Jean Pawek

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/pinus-sabiniana

From California Native Plants, Theodore

Payne's 1941 catalog: "A rapid growing

tree and the best pine for hot dry

locations. Beautiful long drooping silvery

green foliage. Quite distinct in appearance

from other pines. In typical specimens the

trunk has a habit of parking into several

erect branches forming a broom-like top.”

http://www.backyardnature.net/sierr

as/pinedigg.htm

How else might you use

CA foothill pine?

© Project SOUND

http://www.pinetum.org/PhotoJEFFsabiniana.htm

© Project SOUND

* Pinyon Pine – Pinus edulis (SW U.S.)

http://www.conifersociety.org/conifers/conifer/pinus/edulis/

© Project SOUND

Singleleaf Pinyon – Pinus monophylla

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

© Project SOUND

Singleleaf Pinyon – Pinus monophylla

green - Pinus monophylla subsp. monophylla

blue - Pinus monophylla subsp. californiarum

red - Pinus monophylla subsp. fallax

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

Tree of the Southwest: CA, AZ, NM and northern Baja California; in the dry mountain ranges of NV, UT, and southeastern ID

Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Foothill Woodland between ~3000 & 7500 ft.

Widespread and often abundant in this region, forming extensive open woodlands, often mixed with junipers, Jeffrey pine, sagebrush & montane white fir

Single-leaf Pinyon occurred as early as the Late Wisconsin glacial period (20,000 to 11,000 years ago).

Large area of distribution and, therefore, probably a large degree of genetic variation

Conservation implications – esp. in CA

© Project SOUND

Singleleaf Pinyon – Pinus monophylla

green - Pinus monophylla subsp. monophylla

blue - Pinus monophylla subsp. californiarum

red - Pinus monophylla subsp. fallax

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Singleleaf pine: typical pinyon

Size: 10-35+ ft tall

5-20 or 25 ft wide

Growth form: Shrubby-appearing tree

Many branches – often irregular shape with age

Slow-growing; long-lived (100’s of years)

Foliage: Short, gray-green needles

in bundles of one

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

© Project SOUND

Seeds are fantastic

Blooms: in spring; separate pollen & seed cones on same plant

Female cones: Small: ~ 2”; round ; 35 years old

when start to bear

Crops every 3-7 years; 2 years to mature

Open widely when mature – typical pinyon trait

Seeds: Absolutely delicious!

Consumed by humans, birds and animals

Primarily spread by Jays, Clark’s Nutcracker

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

© Project SOUND

Singleleaf pinyon Soils:

Texture: most any

pH: any local

Light: full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: good soil moisture

Summer:

Most xeric pine in the U. S.

Mean annual precipitation range is 8 to 18 inches; most precipitation falling December-April

Once established, needs only occasional watering

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Management: Native Californians pruned out dead branches; removed underbrush – fire can kill this species

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Gardening with pinyons

Container or bonsai plant

Screen/hedge; good for mild, coastal conditions

Neat, bold appearance; gray color blends well with dry high-desert and mountain landscapes as well as modern and mediterranean gardens

http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=1054

http://paridevita.com/2013/04/20/drip-drop-drip-drop/

http://www.washoecounty.us/parks/arboretum/burke.html

© Project SOUND

©2012 Steven Perry

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Conifers/Pinus_mon/_Pin_mon.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pinus_monophylla

Many good resources on

Japanese Gardening

http://www.japanesegardensonline.com

Books: Japanese Gardening Ortho’s All About Creating Japanese

Gardens

Joe Earl (ed): Infinite Spaces: the Art and Wisdom of Japanese Gardening

many others – see your local library

Books: CA Landscape Gardening M. Francis & A. Reiman: The California

Landscape Garden

G. Keator & A. Middlebrook: Designing California Native Gardens: the Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens

© Project SOUND

Get out and visit a local garden

© Project SOUND

Look at our local landscapes with new eyes

© Project SOUND

http://www.cnps-sgm.org/gallery/gallery.php

My Gardening Philosophy – circa 2013

1. Knowledge is power

2. It’s better to understand how something works rather than to just follow rules

3. It’s easier to work with the physical conditions in a garden (soil characteristics, light, etc.) than to try to change them dramatically

4. California native plants from the local area are often the best suited for local gardens

5. Look to Mother Nature and Native Californians for gardening advice

6. Make a garden plan – even tho’ it may change over time

7. Choose plants based on their suitability for your needs and garden conditions

8. Save ‘Heritage’ trees and large shrubs – unless there’s a good reason to remove them

9. Choose plants for their habitat value

10. Choose plants for their usefulness (food; dyes; etc.)

© Project SOUND

http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/

2014: Bringing Nature Home - Lessons

from Gardening Traditions Worldwide

© Project SOUND