Page 9 - Sonoma County 2016 Gardeners Resource GUide.indd

NATIVES cont’d from page 9
larger in the shade. The leaves are a dark, waxy green with the new growth showing flashes of red in the spring. An excellent and vibrant hedge for a somewhat shady section of your garden.
Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
This showy perennial shrub or tree puts out beautiful flowers in the spring, but it is more than just a pretty face. The young shoots were highly prized for basketry and bows were made from the sturdy branches. Redbuds are drought tolerant, sun-loving plants that prefer well-drained soil. They can reach
up to 20 feet tall and can be pruned back to within inches of the ground, known as “coppicing”, a practice done to encourage new shoots for basket making. Pruning should be done in the fall, after leaf-drop.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is widespread and can be found
throughout much of the world, basking
in sunny spots or along partially shady
edges and understory. The frilly leaves
and umbel flowers of this distinctive
herb are a beautiful addition to the
garden. You might remember the Greek
Myth of Achilles and his vulnerable
heel. Yarrow is the plant that was
used for his protection and to heal the
wounds of his troops. For wounds you
can pound the stalk and leaves to make
a poultice. A powerful immune system
tonic can be made from the leaves and
flowers, which can be added to salads
as well. While the flowers come in all shades, from white, yellow, orange, pink and red, the native form with white flowers is best for medicinal use.
Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglassii)
This perennial herb is a member of the mint family and it grows well in low elevations with plenty of moisture. Though a groundcover, it can reach about 18” in height and will spread out in the garden, although not aggressively like most mints. The native Pomo Indians would make a decoction of the leaves which they used to treat colds and fevers. The tea was also used as
an aphrodisiac. The common name is Spanish for “good herb” and there are many locations throughout the Bay Area that were named after it.
If you’d like to get hands on experience planting these and other native plants,
join the community planting day at Sebastopol Library on April 2nd. This is a free event which will fill you with new knowledge, experience and inspiration! To find out more and to sign-up for the planting day, visit the
Daily Acts’ website at dailyacts.org.
www.sonomacountynurseries.com for GARDENERS CALENDAR
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