Plant Selection

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Under Oaks

Coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) like wet winters and dry summers. L. Stiles There are 20 oak trees native to California. These stately trees create iconic landscapes, live up to 400 years, and provide tremendous benefits. Oaks are good investments -- for homeowners and the environment.
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Ceanothus
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Cal Native Plants

Bush anemone (Carpenteria californica) is a deer-resistant shrub that grows in sun or shade and has fragrant flowers. Photo: PlantMaster You can bring the natural beauty and ecology -- of your surroundings into your garden by growing some of the plants that were here before settlers arrived.
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Shrubs

Pittosporum tobira, mock orange. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Shrubs are extremely versatile and hard-working, often forming the framework of a landscape. Some are low-growing and others are as tall and large as trees. They make excellent privacy hedges, foundations, and evergreen backdrops.
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hummingbird
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Plants for Pollinators

It's easy to invite bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other welcomed winged visitors into the garden. Just provide the food, water, and shelter they need to feel at home. This is called habitat gardening, and it's a satisfying way to choose plants.
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Aster
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Extra Easy for Brown Thumbs

You don't need a green thumb to grow rock purslane (Calandrinia grandiflora). PlantMaster If you've been unsuccessful at gardening, take heart. There could be many reasons for that, starting with the condition of your soil or other cultural factors in your garden.
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Corn, 2007 Trial

Garden Help > Vegetables > CornThis corn trial was performed in the summer of 2007 at our Nine Palms project location (no longer in use).SummaryUnder challenging weather conditions, Silver Queen and Peaches & Cream ranked highest among the four corns tested. Golden Bantam is not recommended…
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Lawn & Alternatives

Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to lawn and lawn alternatives. If you like the look and feel of a conventional lawn, there are even some lower-water choices available.
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Deer
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Deer-Resistant Plants

Deer tend to avoid plants that are smelly, wooly, prickly, or poisonous. Photo: Marie Narlock It's possible to have a lovely unfenced garden even if there are deer in your neighborhood.
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Corn, 2008 Trial

Garden Help > Vegetables > CornThis trial was conducted in the summer of 2008 at our Nine Palms project location (no longer in use).SummaryPeaches & Cream corn was reliably productive over an extended harvest period.OverviewIn 2007 we planted four varieties of corn with different maturation times,…
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Plants to Avoid

Most plants are a pleasure to grow. Fortunately, there are only a few to avoid. Here's how invasive plants and plants that have been treated cause problems. Scotch broom currently infests millions of acres throughout California.
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