Their front yard sits on a north facing slope. The driveway goes up the slope and curves gently to the right before ending at the garage. On the left of the driveway are some mature coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and toyons (Heteromeles arbutifolia). It is the area to the right that needs attention.

The steeper parts of this slope are punctuated by retaining walls of 4”x4” redwood logs. The previous owner had planted trailing jasmine which has since died out. The soil looks clayey, but is humus-rich and surprisingly easy to dig. Drip irrigation is available over most of this area.

Mahesh has been growing California poppies for many years, and has recently started planting native perennials. He has been pleased with California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum canum) and California Aster (Aster chilensis), both undemanding summer bloomers that look good and attract wildlife.

This article presents a possible plan for a mixed border along the driveway. The plan provides color during spring as well as summer. It requires maintenance only once a year. The plant list consists of just five plants:

This plan provides a space roughly 2’ in diameter for each plant, except the verbena which will grow to be 4’ wide.

Both the aster and the fuchsia spread by rhizomes, and bind the soil. They are ideally suited for slopes and effective at erosion control.

Because the plants are native or near-native, Mahesh can count on being able to observe a diversity of feeders in action for half the year. The buckwheats will draw insects of many kinds, and wherever insects abound, birds are sure to follow. The fuchsia will draw hummingbirds, the aster bees, and the verbena butterflies.

A native garden looks better with some maintenance. In this case, we recommend an annual schedule that requires shearing the fuchsia and aster only. In late fall, after the first good rain, cut the fuchsia and aster to the ground. Expect new lush growth to follow during spring; these plants will not need further attention for the rest of the year. Deadheading the buckwheats is a matter of personal preference; they should not be sheared.

You have heard this before, and it is indeed true: The best time to plant in California is fall. The winter rains help the plants grow their roots so they can better handle the summer drought.

These plants are drought-tolerant when established. They will need summer watering the first couple of years. A 10-minute morning drip once a week is adequate for the first year. You may cut it down to every two weeks in the second year.

These plants are available at all native nurseries (see the list in the article A Sense of Place). I have been pleasantly surprised by the selection of natives at my neighborhood nursery: Payless Nursery, 2927 S. King Road (at Aborn), San Jose, (408) 274-7815; if you have specific questions about native plants, ask to speak to Wanda, who is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.