Plants and Landscapes for Summer-dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay RegionGardening. Environmental Studies. Photographs by Saxon Holt. Illustrations by Richard Pembroke. This lavishly illustrated book celebrates the challenges and opportunities of gardening in Mediterranean climates, with special reference to northern California's San Francisco Bay Region. The core of the book is a catalog of more than 650 plants suited to regions with mild, usually wet winters and dry, often hot summers. These plants thrive with moderate to no summer irrigation when established, require little or no maintenance, and are reasonably available from nurseries, botanic gardens, native plant sales, or specialty seed suppliers. Many of the 542 color photographs show plants in garden settings to suggest attractive and compatible plant combinations. Summary charts provide information on each plant, such as bloom time, needs for water and sun, and preferences for coastal or inland microclimates. Lists suggest plants for special situations, such as hot sites, dryish shade, small gardens, and clay soils. Chapters on landscape design and maintenance inspire readers to make gardens that use little water and no harmful chemicals, with a focus on building healthy soil. Practical steps to successful design are supplemented with ideas for designing with microclimate, attracting wildlife, and fire safety. Sidebars by local experts discuss weather, natural landscapes, design solutions, and gardening with recycled water. "A valuable resource for climate-compatible gardening in the San Franciso Bay Area that will also be of interest to gardeners in other parts of the world with a similar seasonal pattern of winter rain and dry summers. This book will occupy a prominent place in my library for many years to come." Katherine Greenberg, president Mediterranean Garden Society "This book is beautifully designed with abundant photographs of plants, many in garden settings, and it is packed with the kind of information gardeners need for their own special situations. Simply stunning Bravo " Phyllis M. Faber, editor University of California Press" |
Contents
Chapter One GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE | 1 |
Chapter Two SOME NOTES ON DESIGN | 19 |
Clay Soils276 Groundcovers279 Trees for Small Spaces | 280 |
Copyright | |
Common terms and phrases
annual areas Attractive to butterflies Baja California bergenia bloom blue flowers bracts bright green bronzy clusters coast coast live oak CORMS cotoneaster coyote brush Crataegus cultivars dark green leaves DECIDUOUS DECIDUOUS SHRUBS deep dense drought early spring early summer escallonia EVERGREEN SHRUBS excellent drainage fall fast-growing flowers in late flowers in spring flowers in summer foliage fragrant Francisco Bay Region Full sun gardens glossy grass gray leaves gray-green leaves grayish green leaves green to gray-green groundcover heat hummingbirds hybrids Ignored by deer landscape late spring late winter lavender lilac manzanita Mediterranean mediterranean climate microclimates moderate to occasional moderate water mounding narrow Native to Australia Native to California Native to South occasional water pale PERENNIALS photinia pink flowers Pittosporum pruning purple flowers purplish red flowers reddish roots San Francisco Bay showy SHRUB OR TREE soil species spikes summer water summer-dormant Tolerates upright vine Xylosma ZONES N/A ZONES VARY