Not everyone has a backyard appropriate for a large garden, but almost everyone can keep a container plant. Size is only one of the many advantages of growing plants in containers rather than in the ground. This only works well, however, if you select plants that are happy living in a pot. Gardeners in the West have many choices. Read on for some top options for California or Nevada container gardening.

Container Gardening

Those gardeners complaining about overwhelming backyard gardens might keep in mind that many folk don’t have any dirt to dig. This is especially true in urban environments. That’s one place container gardens fit the bill. Almost anyone has room for a few pots on the back porch, fire escape, or kitchen window sill.

But container gardening can solve other issues as well. For example, those with clay or sandy soil in the backyard can avoid a lot of garden problems by planting a container garden instead. This also works well in wet areas and when it’s best to move plants from one corner of the backyard to another as the seasons change. These are all benefits of considering Nevada or California container gardens.

A Rule for Western Container Gardens

Are you wondering what to put in pots in Nevada? Or the best container plants for Southern California? We’ve got a suggestion for you. The simple essential rule for selecting container plants is the same in the Western states as for the rest of the world: Select plants that will thrive in the climate and exposure you can provide.

You can go with vegetables (some gardeners grow all their veggies in pots!), annuals, or perennials, depending on whether you want a container garden for one season or to last years.

What to Plant in a Container Garden?

For spring and summer planting, here are a few of the most popular annual container plants to consider: lobelia, marigold, petunias, verbena, and zinnia. If your area is shaded, put in impatiens. If you are thinking of veggies, go for cherry tomatoes or popular herbs like parsley and basil. Note that while these are among the best container plants for California, these annuals can be grown almost anywhere in pots.

Perennials

Choosing perennials will mean that your container gardens last longer and can provide delight year after year. Some great flowering perennials to consider are marguerite, agapanthus, carnation, geraniums, and chrysanthemums. For spring bulb planting, think about tulips, daffodil, amaryllis, crocus, freesia, hyacinth, iris, and ranunculus. Most will regrow year after year when properly fertilized.

Vegetables

If you are putting in a fall vegetable container garden, try planting cool season leafy greens like kale and lettuce, or radishes, garlic, and chives. For ornamentals, consider stocks, snapdragons, pansies, violas, dianthus, ornamental kale, and ornamental cabbage.

Fruit Trees

Are fruit trees among the best outdoor potted plants for Southern California and Nevada? While dwarf fruit trees and shrubs can be planted in containers in the West, they are not one-and-done. These plants grow fast and should only be left in the same container for short periods before being moved to progressively bigger ones or transplanted into the ground.

What About California Natives?

Many gardeners in the West are trying to focus on native plants. These are trees, shrubs and grasses that grow naturally in the wild and provide native birds and insects with the food and shelter they need to survive. They tend to be extremely self-sufficient and require little care from humans.

While many native plants of Nevada and California will grow well in containers, they will need more care than when they grow in soil. But that is the downside of all container plants: since they only have the soil in the pot to sustain them, they may require regular water and even fertilizer in containers, even if they need nothing in the wild.

For example, some succulents work well in pots, including Cacti, Agaves, Sedums, Dudleyas, and Lewisias. Many offer fascinating long flowers in unexpected shades. But unlike ground-grown succulents, you’ll need to change their soil and plant in a larger pot every few years.

California and Nevada share a state border, but they don’t host exactly the same wild bird populations. That’s in part due to the location – one state is coastal, the other not – and in part due to the difference in climate.

California, with its long coastline, is a major stop along the Pacific Flyway for spring migration and offers myriad habitats for these “snow birds.” Around a billion birds migrate through in springtime on their way north. Gardeners can help these migrating species by using plants native to California and Nevada in their gardens. These migratory species include common types of songbirds, raptors and flycatchers, and might be among your favorite California backyard birds.

The backyard birds of Nevada are more likely to stay in the region all year long, but species vary among the different ecosystems. The deserts in eastern Nevada offer food and nesting material to different wild birds than the pine forests of the south.

Backyard Birds Of California

If you are just starting out birdwatching, here are some common backyard birds in California.

American Robin

This might not be the most common California birds, but it is certainly one of the best recognized. The robin-red-breast is known for its bright red chest area, its pretty chatter, and its rich songs. Bird baths are a great way to attract robins to your yard.

Cedar Waxwing

Here’s a pretty California bird that is easy to recognize, although its name is less well-known than the robin. The waxwing is unique – starting with its black mask, tan feathers, and crested head.

The red, waxlike droplets on their inner wing feathers give it its common name. If you have native fruiting trees in your area, you’ll see happy groups of waxwings descending on overripe berries in winter. Berry-bearing shrubs are favorites of waxwings.

Oak Titmouse

Do you want to identify an oak titmouse? Look for a small, gray bird with an unimposing crest on its head. You’ll find them easily in oak woodlands. These backyard birds of California chatter, offering rapid calls as they search for insects for lunch.

It sounds something like peter-peter-peter. Titmice are attracted to a birdfeeder that includes suet or seeds and you can create a backyard bird sanctuary by including things like bird baths and native shrubs.

Goldfinch

You’ve never seen yellow until you spot a goldfinch. Both lesser goldfinch and the bigger American goldfinch have spectacular yellow feathers.

According to birding lore, if the first bird you see on January 1st is a goldfinch, get ready for a year of joy and good fortune! Attract them to your feeder by offering them nyjer seeds, best served up in a nyjer seed-feeder.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Attach a bright-colored hummingbird feeder to a window or tree branch and see what happens. The pretty little birds darting over to sip the sugary water will likely be a species of Anna’s hummingbird. Planting flowering vines for hummingbirds is another great way to attract them to your yard.

These California birds vary in color depending on their sex: females have subdued coloring and a little drab while the males are little iridescent jewels, bright green with a brilliant pink-reddish mark on the throat.

Crowned Sparrows

Winters in California are quite mild, and this attracts migrating bird species. Two species that leave northern areas and head to California to winter are the “crowned sparrows”: white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows. The adults are tan or gray. They have brown backs with black stripes, and they also have distinct crown patterns.

The white-crowned sparrow has white and black stripes on the top of the head, while the golden-crowned sparrow has a black crown with a golden central area. Attracting birds to your backyard can be done with a simple bird feeder and a bird bath. Crowned sparrows are fond of millet.

Allen's Hummingbird

Another very common California bird is the jewel-toned Allen's hummingbird, tiny fliers with brilliant reddish orange throats. They winter in Mexico but return to coastal California in early spring to delight us with their elaborate courting ritual. There is a small resident population in Southern California year-round.

Western Scrub Jay

One you are likely to see at your backyard feeder is the long-tailed western scrub jay, seen often in California coastal areas and foothills. Assertive, inquisitive, and vocal, California scrub jays eat insects, fruits, seeds and acorns, hiding the latter away for winter consumption.

They are less popular with other birds, however, since they also like to rob nests and consume eggs and young birds.

Cooper's Hawk

The Cooper's hawk is the most common hawk in California, but it may not be one of the most common in your backyard. They live in woodlands throughout the state, but are secretive. Look for their long trails and rounded wings as they hunt from the air above the edge of a forest or field for robins, doves and small mammals. You can attract these birds of prey, but they might eat the smaller birds at your feeders.

Chestnut-Backed Chickadees

Set out suet or seeds, and you may see chestnut-backed chickadees year-round in coastal California's coniferous forests as well as forest habitats in the central Sierra Nevada and suburban areas in eastern San Francisco Bay. They are merry and sociable, foraging in flocks of other species as well as their own.

Backyard Birds Of Nevada

Here are some common backyard birds you might spot in Nevada.

Dark-Eyed Juncos

There are over 600 million dark-eyed juncos in North America, making them one of the most abundant songbirds. They are the classic “snowbirds,” appearing across the country – including Nevada – as winter temperatures start dropping.

A common subspecies has a black or gray hood that contrasts with the brown back. You are likely to see juncos ground feeding. Watch for the flash of their white tail feathers as they seek cover and listen for their ticking calls.

Spotted Towhee

The male spotted towhee has a black hood, breast and back and chestnut sides. The bird’s body is spotted with bold white spots and its belly is also white. The female has the same coloring but slightly less bold.

Spotted towhees can be attracted to feeders by putting out black sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or millet. Otherwise, they are largely ground feeders.

Pine Siskin

Nevada – especially southern Nevada – has lots of pine siskin birds. These small finches are brown and black with pointed bills and notched tails. Males have yellow on the wings. Pine siskins need smaller seeds like nyjer seeds or thistle. They are also attracted to hulled sunflower seeds and suet.

Chestnut-Collared Longspur

One Nevada bird you may see in summer in short-grass prairies is the chestnut-collared longspur. The male’s breeding plumage is exceptional, with black, brown, and buff stripes on the back and two pale wing bars and a white shoulder patch.

Harris's Sparrow

Another common Nevada bird is Harris’s sparrow, a large, plump sparrow with distinctive markings including streaked reddish brown back and reddish brown wings with two white wing bars and a pink bill. They form flocks with other sparrow species.

Frequently Asked Questions

California is lucky enough to house some 5,000 native plant species, giving it the greatest natural botanical diversity of any state. But it also has 1,500 non-native species that have become established here. More than a few of these are important invasive species of California. Nevada is also a western state with abundant native flora and some invasive non-natives too.

Non-Native Species in California

Invasive has a specific meaning when it comes to plants. It refers to plants that are normally not found in the wild in a particular region but have been introduced and naturalized there. These plants are not just passing through; they can survive and reproduce indefinitely in the new location without any human assistance.

If you cultivate non-native, naturalized plants in your garden and they remain there, they do not pose a problem. The ones that can do significant damage are those that spread away from their initial planting location and spread into wild areas or natural habitat. They are termed invasive because they “invade” and disrupt natural ecosystems.

Economic Damage of California Invasive Species

California invasive plants are a real threat to the state’s economy. Some invasive grasses of California endanger natural forage and reduce the quality of grass consumed by livestock. This can jeopardize animal health, which leads to human health issues as well.

Invasive grasses can also increase fire risks in California. Invasive aquatic weeds can impede access to water sources for livestock, impair the movement and navigation of private and commercial vessels, and block irrigation systems.

Ecological Damage of California Invasive Species

Invasive plants also endanger and damage California’s ecology in natural areas, causing dramatic changes that have a detrimental effect on both natural flora and wildlife. These plants are more adaptable than desired native species, which lets them move into a natural landscape and essentially take it over.

California invasive plants exhaust the region’s natural resources, including light, water, and nutrients. For example, the giant reed (Arundo donax) has infested the Santa Ana River in Southern California and uses 57,000 acre feet more water annually than the native vegetation used. They can also alter the fertility of the soil, promote soil erosion, and colonize mudflats crucial for the survival of shorebirds.

In addition, invasive non-native plants are detrimental to native insects, which are used to feeding on specific native plants. As the native plants are crowded out, the insect population diminishes and birds and reptiles are left without a primary source of nutrition.

The worst offenders are termed landscape transformers, since they cause substantial changes to the invaded habitat. These include saltcedar, (Tamarix ramosissima) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis).

Invasive Species in Nevada

Of course, California does not have a monopoly on invasive plants. There are similar invasive species in Nevada that impact the landscape the same way that California invasive species do.

Non-native invasive plants are difficult to control in both California and Nevada. Their harmful impact is far reaching and they can damage the West economically and environmentally. Some of the worst offenders in Nevada include salt cedar, cheatgrass, knapweed, musk thistle, perennial pepperwood, and hoary cress. Many are threats to pastures and rangeland, out-competing native species.

The answer to many questions one may ask about plants is “native plants.” For example, what to look for if you want drought tolerant plants? Native plants. What types of plants require little maintenance? Native plants.

If you live in the West and are looking for easy to grow plants that require very little irrigation, you cannot do better than native California and Nevada plants.

Bulletproof Plants in California

Are you looking to plant low maintenance, drought tolerant plants in California? Native California plants are your best bet. But be sure you pick low maintenance, drought tolerant plants that thrive in your particular ecosystem. For even more guarantees, select native plants termed "bulletproof." This means that the plants are infinitely tolerant. They do just fine with heat, cold and wind, need little water, are low-maintenance, non-invasive, and pest and disease resistant.

If you live in a hot, desert region in California, select bulletproof native desert plants from the area.

Here are a few trees you may want to try:

• Cat's Claw acacia (Acacia greggii)
• Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida)
• Escarpment oak (Quercus fusiformis)
• Chilean mesquite (Prosopis chilensis)
• Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis + hybrids)
• Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

For shrubs, consider these bulletproof bushes:

• Arizona rosewood (Vauquelinia californica)
• Quail bush (Atriplex lentiformis)
• Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)
• Fern bush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)

Plants for Nevada Bird Gardens

Every gardener has their own priorities. Some put drought tolerance first on the list. Others want plants that remove CO2 from the air. Still others select plants in order to attract more birds to their landscape.

If your top backyard priority is attracting wildlife, native plants still offer the most bang for the buck to help birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Native plants, of course, have other attractions, like requiring less water, less maintenance, and less fertilizer. They are also cold hardy and well accustomed to the Nevada climate.

Here are three plants that fit the bill:

• Virginia Creeper ​(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a woody vine that grows fast. Its green leaves turn a brilliant red in fall. In early summer, the vine is filled with dark berries that birds, squirrels and deer adore.
• Wild geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) is a native flowering perennial that has blossoms in pink, lavender or magenta that attract native pollinators like butterflies, bees, and flies. Both the wild geranium seed capsules and the leaves of this plant are popular among birds, small mammals, deer, and others.
• Desert Marigold (​Baileya multiradiata) is a short-lived perennial with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that rise from a leafless stalk to bloom throughout the summer and fall. Their long-lasting blooms can reach one foot in height, turning papery with age. Birds feast on their ripe seeds and help disperse them to other parts of your garden.

Plants for Drought-Tolerant Gardens

For gardeners in the West, drought has proved to be a real and ongoing problem. Water has been restricted in many regions and everyone is interested in drought-tolerant plants. Here are some top choices to consider.

• Achillea is well-known to many gardeners as a reliable mid-summer bloomer with standout yellow flowers. These yarrow plants are extremely water wise and in fact require little or no maintenance at all. The blossoms are a magnet for butterflies and beneficial insects.
• Chrysocephalum apiculatum is a low-growing strawflower with attractive silver foliage and yellow flowers. The flowers arrive in spring a bright yellow and keep their hue as they dry. They are very drought-tolerant plants.
• Mimulus is a happy, shrubby California native perennial with bright flowers in a rainbow of colors. Happy in sun or part shade, these plants need good drainage but little water. They are popular in native plant gardens because of their color range.

Pollination is one of the motors of nature’s plant population, and, for centuries, the gardening community has appreciated the critical importance of pollinators. In California, "pollinators” means California native bees, of course, (bees are the most prolific pollinators), but also butterflies, flies, beetles and wasps, among many others. Note that there are a number of different types of bees in California, including bumble bees, long-horned bees, sweat bees, striped bees, furrow bees and mining bees. All are native pollinators.

Without pollinators, humans would have many fewer species of plants to feed us. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that the human race requires pollinators if we are to survive. And for pollinators to survive, they need plants.

As gardeners in the West, we can facilitate this important relationship by devoting space in our gardens for California native pollinator plants. Nothing will please California native pollinators more than the presence of these familiar plants.

What Are Native Pollinator Plants?

Pollinators are birds, insects or animals, so they need food on a regular basis. Most insect pollinators use flower nectar and pollen as food and plants as hosts for eggs. As more native meadows are lost as cities expand, it makes life hard for important pollinators. If they cannot find the requisite plants, their populations die off and they risk extinction.

Pollinator plants are plants that attract pollinators. Native pollinator plants for the West are plants that have been growing in California and Nevada for centuries and have adapted well to the climate. These are plants with nectar or pollen that meet the needs of bees and butterflies.

California Native Plants for Pollinators

Which plants are best for pollinators? Native plants win hands down. They are the plants that have become familiar to native pollinator species over centuries.

Most of these pollinator plants have large compound inflorescences of tiny flowers. The blossoms attract a wide range of small bees, flies, beetles, wasps and other pollinators. Most of them grow best in average soil in a full sun location. If you pick native plants to install in the garden, they will require less water and care than exotics and provide pollinators with food as well.

Great Native Pollinator Plants for the West

There are hundreds of Nevada and California pollinator plants from which to select for a pollinator garden. Milkweed might be the most well-known pollinator plants, and it is an essential plant for the beautiful, endangered Monarch species of butterfly. California's native milkweed is narrow-leaved milkweed, with slender, 5-inch (12.7 cm.) leaves and a five-inch flower cluster. It thrives near the coast and is often covered with monarch caterpillars in summer. Plant them in full sun, water well the first month, then leave them on their own.

Blue mountain lilac is another good choice for native pollinators. The 'Skylark' form of Ceanothus is a California native lilac cultivar with very dark green leaves and a mounding habit. This evergreen is covered with dark blue flowers in late spring to summer, attracting all types of native bees. Ceanothus is another water-wise and maintenance free native shrub.

California buckwheat is another native evergreen with pink flowers that are wildly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This native presents as a low, spreading evergreen mat clothed with small, needle-like leaves. All through the growing season, tight clusters of creamy-whitish pink flowers appear which are very attractive to bees and butterflies. When they go to seed, they attract birds and mammals. Buckwheat grows in full sun to light shade with good drainage.

Smooth, clipped, green lawns used to be a highly desirable choice for a front lawn in California and Nevada. But with the continued drought, many gardeners are turning toward grass alternatives that require less water and less maintenance. California native grasses are becoming increasingly popular for Western gardens.

Lawns in the West

Many people know well-clipped, weed-free turf-grass as the “forever” standard for the American lawn. But history disproves this. This short, neat lawn was largely the result of the popularity of the game of golf, and it didn’t move into the backyards of residences until the development of the garden hose and sprinkler.

The standard was promoted by the American Garden Club that described the desired result as “a plot with a single type of grass with no intruding weeds, kept mown at a height of an inch and a half, uniformly green, and neatly edged.” Sadly, this resulted in significant pollution from weedkillers and fertilizers.

New American Lawn

Concerns about pollution as well as dwindling water supplies have spurred the Western gardener to consider alternatives to grass lawns in California and Nevada. Fortunately, there are more than a few native grasses in the state that make excellent lawn substitutes, using less water and requiring less maintenance.

Which is the best California native no-mow grass? That depends entirely on what a particular gardener is looking for in a California or Nevada grass. Homeowners who stay flexible will be able to create low-growing, grass-like plants for a backyard where children can play.

Nevada/California Native Lawn Alternatives

Let’s look at native plants that make good lawn alternatives for sunny areas. Here are four to try:

• Bentgrass (Agrostis pallens) is a soft-beneath-the-feet, fine-bladed warm season grass that only needs irrigation twice a month and one mowing mid-season.
• Red fescue (Festuca rubra ‘Molate’) can grow into a gently waving, knee-high field of grass or you can mow it down to a few inches to resemble turf. It’s a cool season grass that will be green all summer and fall.
• California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica) resembles turf in its low-growing ways with once-a-month mowing. It likes an occasional drink in summer but will survive without one.
• Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a broad-leaf plant that looks like turf if mowed every month but surprises with pink or white flowers of left unmowed. And it has the advantage of shrugging off foot-traffic.

For Western homeowners with shady or poorly drained areas, here are a few native options:

• Meadow sedge (Carex praegracilis) is native to much of North America, growing in wet environments like meadows and wetlands. It produces sharply triangular stems and flower cluster topping flower spikes. It works well in poorly draining areas and between pavers, with a soft, mowable texture.
• Blue Star Creeper (Laurentia fluviatilis) has the soft, green look of turf grass but is extremely low-maintenance.
• Creeping Clover (Trifolium repens ‘Autopurpureum’) is a low-growing clover with deep red leaves. It thrives in light shade or full sun sites and is drought tolerant.

Shrubs are often called the “bones” of the garden. That is because they do so much more than engage our senses. Shrubs can define space, provide wildlife shelter, and add texture and interest, year after year, as a permanent part of our landscape. Not every shrub will grow everywhere, so when you are planning to increase your shrub population, be sure to keep your region in mind.

If you live in California or Nevada, you’ll want to look at drought tolerant shrubs for the western United States. Here are a few of our favorites.

Western Shrubs

What do western gardeners look for when it comes to shrubs? Given the continuing lack of sufficient rainfall, drought tolerance is an important quality. In addition, many homeowners like to bring in native shrubs that are known to be low-maintenance. Some California bushes and Nevada shrubs provide habitat or nurture for wildlife, and these are always popular.

You’ll also want to take time to decide what the primary purpose of the shrub will be before heading to the plant store. Are you concerned about privacy from the neighbors? Are you hoping to block wind, or do you just want something with fiery foliage in fall, or a place for birds and squirrels to hang out?

Consider the Shrub Site

The site in the garden itself may offer some direction when it comes to western shrub choices. How much space – horizontal and vertical – is available? Be sure to allow enough room for the shrub to grow to its full, mature size, or you’ll be adding “trim shrubs” to the annual to-do list year after year.

Consider what shape shrub will best fit the space. The type of soil the site has may also impact your shrub choices. Get a soil test if you aren’t sure how it stacks up. Also take note of the sun exposure at different times of the day in different seasons. Match all this info with your plant hardiness zone and you are set to shop.

California Flowering Shrubs

Many of us are fans of flowering bushes since they offer all the core benefits of shrubs plus the beauty and pollinator-appeal of blossoms. If this is you, consider one or more of these western shrubs. They are natives that do their part to help you welcome native birds, bees, and beneficial insects by providing them food and shelter.

Spice bush (Calycanthus occidentalis): In addition to its rich green foliage and bright red blossoms, this deciduous shrub offers the musty, spicy fragrance that gives it the common name. It grows rapidly into a 10 foot (3 m.) mound and is completely deer resistant. It loves sun but needs less water in partial sun locations.

California lilac (Ceanothus): Ceanothus is a large genus of diverse, versatile, and beautiful North American species in the buckthorn family. Many of these flowering shrubs are native to California, and a profusion of tiny, intensely fragrant flowers in spring. They are food sources for butterfly and moth larvae and other beneficial insects. Full sun and good drainage required.

California sunflower (Encelia californica): Despite the common name, these sunflowers will grow happily as Nevada shrubs, or in any home garden in an area with hot summer climates and excellent drainage. The bright yellow daisies nearly cover the dense branches of this mounding shrub. These are among the best shrubs for southern California.

Malva rosa (Lavatera assurgentiflora): If you are looking for California flowering shrubs that grow fast, bloom fast, and are deer resistant, add lavatera to the short list. The shrub can grow to 12 feet (4 m.) quickly and – the first year after planting – produces round, rosy-purple blossoms resembling hollyhocks. The leaves are also showy, a deep emerald green with a maple shape.

Silver lupine (Lupinus albifrons): Lupin species come in all sizes, from short to taller than the gardener planting them. Silver lupine is one of the tall ones, but these Nevada shrubs are also quite dense with silvery gray stems filled with flat, finger-like leaves. These are topped in spring by tiers of bluish purple pea-like blossoms. Lupine do just fine in poor soils and self-sow shamelessly with full sun and good drainage.

Native plants are the easy-care alternatives to exotic, high-maintenance plants in the garden. Native grasses are also an excellent and versatile alternative to traditional lawns. They thrive without fertilizer, tolerate almost any well-draining soil, and attract local wildlife.

If you live in the West, look into California native ornamental grasses and you may be astonished by the number and range of available choices. Nevada residents can also consider Nevada native grasses. All are hardy and versatile, having adapted over centuries to their particular ecosystems and climates.

California Native Ornamental Grasses

The hardest part of putting native California grasses in your landscape will be selecting among the many beautiful plants available. If “native grass” makes you think scrubby, it’s time to discover the ornamental features of native California grasses.

Let’s start with California’s official state grass, purple three-awn (Aristida purpurea), a thoroughly lovely and graceful grass. It grows from 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) tall and delights with the purple grass heads that cover the stalks all year long, waving in the breeze.

Ornamental Grasses California

Another extremely attractive California native grass is called silver beardgrass (Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana -- formerly Andropogon saccharoides). Some suggest that it may not have started out in California, but it certainly grows in the wild throughout the state.

Silver beardgrass has exceptional ornamental features. The grass grows to some 18 inches (46 cm.) tall with numerous erect flower spikes extending a few feet (1 m.) farther. Each spike is topped by silky little puffs that are utterly enchanting. Plant this grass in masses for a spectacular display. In autumn, the show continues as the leaves turn fiery shades. This grass needs little care, if any, and is also very drought tolerant.

Nevada Native Grasses

Another regal native grass that can work well for Nevada or California residents is deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens). Deergrass is tall – with each clump growing to 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall and wide. They send out so many spiky flowering stems that they are compared to giant pincushions. Sited in a sunny space with elbow room, deergrass only needs a weekly drink to look its ornamental best.

Deergrass will bring native Nevada birds to your yard. These can include sparrows, buntings, grosbeaks, titmice, crows, and jays.

For something shorter, consider bluebunch fescue (Festuca idahoensis). It is a perennial grass, sometimes called bunchgrass fescue, and doesn’t get above 2 ½ feet (76 cm.) tall. The stems are blue-tinted green and grow in tufts in full sun to partial shade. An added benefit? Bluebunch fescue attracts birds to your yard, including finches, waxwings, nuthatches, sparrows, chickadees, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers.

Lawns in the West need care and maintenance just like lawns everywhere. Given the recent years of drought, watering lawns in California has become one of the trickiest garden chores. Irrigation is also a big part of lawn care in Nevada. Read on for tips on how to keep your grass happy without exceeding your water budget.

Lawn Care California Starts with Landscaping

Water is an issue when it comes to lawns everywhere, but drought in California and other western states has moved irrigation to the top of the lawn maintenance list. Most gardeners are aware of this, but not everyone landscapes with water in mind.

What does this mean? It means that the time to begin thinking of irrigation issues is when you are designing your backyard vegetation. The lawn should be planned to reduce water runoff especially onto hard surfaces. This includes making sure that the soil is loose enough to allow water to move through to grass roots, as well as selecting drought-tolerant grass species.

Watering Nevada and California Grass

A core water-saving irrigation technique is to wait to water your grass until the lawn really needs it. Different species of turf will need different amounts of water, but the location of the lawn, its exposure, and the season also must be considered.

Generally, lawns need water when the top few inches (8 cm.) of soil are dry. Probe the soil with a stick or pencil, then use the tape measure. If it’s still dry at 2 inches (5 cm.), it’s time to water. It is best to water deeper and less often so that the roots get a good soaking.

Runoff is a waste of water, so keep an eye on sloping sections of the lawn. If you use a sprinkler system and it produces runoff, shorten the water time. You want every drop of that water to move into the soil. It’s best to water early in the morning to avoid water loss through evaporation. Avoid watering during the heat of the day.

When and How to Mow Grass

Mowing grass is more than a way to make the yard look neat. Proper mowing techniques help make the lawn thick and healthy, while poor techniques can result in patchy grass.

When to mow? Grass is best mowed during its active growing period. This will be in spring and fall for cool-season grasses, summer for warm-season grasses. Remember that both irrigation and fertilizer will impact the growth rate. Fertilizing is an important part of lawn care, supplying the required nitrogen as well as phosphorus and potassium. Too much fertilizer, though, can injure the grass.

When you do mow, set the mower to clip off no more than one-third of the grass blade. Grass is, after all, a growing plant and it must create its own food through photosynthesis. If you take off too much of the leaf, the remaining surface might not be sufficient to produce the energy the plant requires, resulting in a thin, sickly-looking lawn.

By this time, most gardeners are aware of the many benefits of “going native.” Selecting flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees for your landscape that are native to the area means tougher plants that are accustomed to the local climate

Given the tens of thousands of plants native to the west coast’s many ecosystems, it can be difficult to select a few native California plants to install. Read on for tips and advice on selecting California and Nevada native plants.

Considerations When Selecting Plants

There are so many reasons to add native plants to your garden. Anyone trying to attract more birds, pollinators, and other wildlife will find native plants are more appealing to native wildlife than anything else you might offer. And native plants have adapted to the local climate in ways fancy exotics haven’t, enabling them to thrive with less water, fertilizer, and maintenance in general.

Western states have unique climates that make using native plants even more appealing. In California, with its Mediterranean climate, this is particularly important, since native plants thrive on the cooler, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers. Likewise, Nevada’s climate (hot and dry in summer with harsh winters) and limited water supply makes native plants especially appealing.

Before rushing out to a native plant nursery, take the time to consider your yard. Evaluate the soil drainage, the sun exposure, and the other growing conditions to which any plants you purchase will exposed. This, together with your USDA plant hardiness zone, will assist you in selecting plants that will thrive in your landscape.

California Native Plants

You will find many attractive California native flowers to install in your garden, like the state flower, the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) that bright orange blossom that grows anywhere in sunshine and reseeds itself shamelessly. But you will do better to start with selecting any needed trees. California native trees, appropriate to a home landscape, range from tall to small. Many will work for Nevada landscapes as well.

Consider the California buckeye (Aesculus californica) that grows to some 20 feet (6.5m) tall and almost twice as wide. It has developed the adaptation of dropping its leaves in the heat of summer rather than autumn in order to tolerate the hot dry season. It offers flowers in spring and interesting seed pods in fall.

On the other end of the spectrum, anyone seeking a native ground cover might look at Emerald Carpet manzanita, (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Emerald Carpet'). It grows to 1 foot (.33m.) tall, with its classic red stems and tiny fragrant flowers in winter.

Natives for Nevada and California Gardens

Both Nevada and California landscapes offer little rain in the summer months. That makes California native grasses an excellent choice.

One of the prettiest is California blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), growing only knee-high. Naturally drought resistant, it is particularly lovely in spring when the tiny purple blossoms appear in the middle of the grassy tufts of foliage. This native has adapted to the hot western summers by wilting back when the temperature climbs, to reappear in autumn.

For taller grass, consider native deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) that grows to 4 feet (1.33m.) tall. This grass is evergreen, the fine, blue-tinted green leaves growing in large, drought resistant clumps.

Californians are hardly all of one mind, yet the state has a unique identity, different from the other 49. It has more species of native plants than any other state – some 6,500 different species, subspecies and varieties, some of which only grow in the Golden State. Given this, it is no surprise that California also has its own common garden pests, a list quite different than found in the rest of the country.

So, what are the common insects in California gardens? Read on for information on regional pests, including both California garden pests and Nevada pests.

California Garden Pests

Insects are pests that threaten both California's natural environments as well as homes, gardens, and agriculture. While the list of common insects that trouble California gardeners contains pests that also frequent other states, there are a few unique pests that may not be as common elsewhere.

Both raccoons and opossums are considered garden pests by many in California, even in big cities like San Francisco. In more rural areas, deer leap over fences to munch grass and/or garden crops. And hungry black bears can be real pests in California orchards.

California Garden Insects

When it comes to insects in the garden, Californians face many of the bugs considered unwanted in vegetables and ornamentals in other states. The University of California Statewide IPM Program and the Department of Entomology at UC Davis gathered together gardeners from Los Angeles to Fresno to Napa County to inquire which California garden insects bothered them most.

Topping the list were aphids, those tiny, sap-sucking insects that seem to like to chow down on a very impressive quantity of California plants. Although aphids rarely put a plant’s life in danger, they are annoying, can cause other diseases, and are quite difficult to eradicate completely in a garden.

Second in the running is scale, pests of woody plants that look more like fish scales than insects, ants, and two other sap-sucking pests, whiteflies and thrips. Gardeners can use integrated pest management techniques to successfully control all of these pests without toxics.

Nevada Pests in the Garden

Top insect pests in Nevada are slightly different than those in California. They include hornworms -- large, bright green caterpillars, one of the largest species of caterpillar in the west. They are the young of the sphinx moth that look a little like hummingbirds as they feed from deep blossoms.

Hornworms can munch through leaves, like tomato plant foliage, overnight. They feed for a month or so before migrating to the soil and pupating. They are harmless to humans, however, and can easily be picked off plants and removed.

Other much-hated garden pests in Nevada include sap-suckers like tiny spider mites and leaf miners. Tree-borers are dangerous, since they chew through the roots and barks of trees, devastating the tree. Viburnum beetles are considered a big problem in Nevada gardens as well, eating out big chunks of foliage. Sowbugs are an increasing problem as Nevada becomes hotter and drier. They love to eat soft fruits like berries as well as tender shoots.

Conifers are evergreen shrubs and trees that bear leaves that look like needles or scales. The conifers of the western states range from fir, pine, and cedar to hemlocks, juniper, and redwoods. Read on for more information about western region conifers including West Coast conifers.

Conifers of the Western States

Conifers in California and other western states make up a large percentage of the forests, particularly in the higher elevations and across the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many conifers can be found near the coast as well. 

The largest conifer family is the pine (Pinus) family including pine, spruce, and fir. Many species of pine are found among western region conifers. These trees have foliage that looks like needles and develop seed cones that look like scales whorled about a central axis. West Coast conifers in the pine family include:

• Ponderosa pine
• White fir
• Douglas fir
• Sugar pine
• Jeffrey pine 
• Lodgepole pine
• Western white pine
• Whitebark pine

Redwood Conifer in California

If you are wondering where California’s iconic redwoods come into the conifer picture, they are part of the second largest conifer family in California, the cypress family (Cupressaceae). There are three species of redwoods in the world but only two are native to the West Coast. 

If you have ever driven through the redwood parks near the Pacific Coast, you have seen one of the redwood species. These are California coastal redwoods, found in a narrow range near the ocean. They are the tallest trees in the world and depend on ocean fog for irrigation. 

The other redwood conifers that are California natives are the giant sequoias. These are found in the Sierra Nevada mountains and are the biggest trees in the world.

Western Region Conifers

Apart from the redwoods, the cypress family conifers have scale-like leaves and tiny cones. Some have flattened branches or branches that look like coarse ferns. These include:

• Incense cedar
• Port Orford cedar
• Western red cedar

Other cypress trees native to the western regions have twigs that branch in three dimensions. These West Coast conifers include cypresses (Hesperocyparus) with egg-shaped or round, woody cones, and junipers (Juniperus) with fleshy seed cones that look like berries. 

The best-known cypress in California is Monterey cypress. The only standing natives that remain are found around Monterey and Big Sur on the central coast. However, the tree, with its deep green foliage and spreading branches, has been cultivated in many coastal areas. 

Five types of junipers can be counted among native conifers in California: 

• California juniper
• Sierra juniper
• Western juniper
• Utah juniper
• Mat juniper

Although autumn marks the end of the frantic summer gardening season, you’ll find quite a few items on your list of October garden tasks if you live in California or Nevada. Gardening in the West during fall centers around harvesting the remainder of summer crops and garden cleanup, but also includes a surprising amount of planting.

If you are wondering what to do for West Coast gardening in October, we’re here to tell you. Read on for your very own regional to-do list.

Regional To-Do List

Your October garden tasks include harvesting the fruits and vegetables you worked so hard on during the summer growing season. In the West, this includes apples-- that should be stored at 40 degrees F. (5 C.), potatoes (that must go into storage in a dark area), and pumpkins (just in time for Halloween). However, that’s not all.

Fall is also the time to harvest persimmons for those who live on the West Coast. Whether you’ve grown crispy Fuyu persimmons or the Hachiyan persimmons you eat soft, all are ready to be picked. Olive growers should be harvesting now as well.

West Coast Gardening in October

In October it’s time to do fall cleaning in the garden, the outdoor equivalent of spring cleaning in the house. Tidy up your annual flower beds, clearing out diseased plants and fallen leaves to prevent overwintering insects. Remove leaves and garden detritus from the lawn and orchard. Also, remove whatever’s left of warm-season plantings in the veggie garden. Fallen fruits and veggies with invite pests.

October is a perfect time to divide your perennials, especially flowering bushes with spring blossoms. Prune back shrubs like geraniums or pot them up for overwintering inside if your climate requires. Most trees and shrubs can be trimmed now, removing dead or diseased branches and doing whatever shaping is required.

The real joy of West Coast gardening in October is planting. Gardeners in the entire region can install new trees and shrubs, before the first hard frost. In temperate parts of California and Nevada though, that’s just the beginning.

California gardeners will find that October is the ideal time to invite native plants into your backyard. Most natives do best when planted in fall. You can plant spring bulb plants now as well.

In terms of vegetables, gardeners in coastal California can put in cool-season veggies and herbs like:

• Lettuce
• Greens
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Peas

If you live in the hot desert, it’s still possible to sow warm-season plants. Hold off on corn and melons, however, and plant them in late winter.

Summer is better with shade trees, especially in the western U.S. If your garden needs one or more, you may be looking for shade trees for western landscapes. Fortunately, there are many great West Coast shade trees that thrive in Nevada and California. Read on for suggestions on great Nevada and California shade trees.

Shade Trees for Western Landscapes

Nevada has five growing zones and California has more, so it’s key to know your own when you are out looking for western shade trees. All trees offer some shade, but the good ones have a canopy sufficiently large enough to offer shelter for those standing beneath. Not all trees that fit this definition are likely to work well in your yard though.

Good choices for western shade trees are those that are adapted to the rural or urban setting of your location and appropriate for your growing conditions. These include altitude, climate, available water, humidity, and the length of the growing season. The trees should also be insect and disease resistant, as well as pleasing in appearance.

If you are seeking West Coast shade trees to plant as street trees, a few additional considerations are important. Street trees are a lot less troublesome if they don’t have shallow roots that raise sidewalks, do not sucker, and do not drop too much litter.

Nevada Shade Trees

What are the best Nevada shade trees? That depends on your site and growing zone. Here are some good trees to consider:

• Weeping willow: Weeping willows (Salix babylonica) provide great shade and work well in large grounds. They do need a lot of irrigation though.
• Tulip poplar tree: Tulip poplar tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) are both fine shade trees for western landscapes and thrive in Nevada. They are fast growing as well.
• If you want Nevada shade trees that offer fiery autumn displays before winter, go for oak (Querus spp.), maple (Acer spp.), or bald cypress (Taxodium distichum).
• The Lombardy or black poplar (Populus nigra) makes a good privacy screen tree and helps control the wind. It also grows fast, up to 8 feet (2 m.) a year.

California Shade Trees

Californians seeking shade trees must also consider climate, hardiness zone, and size of their backyard. Regardless of which part of the state you live in, you can choose among many beautiful low maintenance shade trees in all sizes.

• If you’d like a native California shade tree, try western redbud (Cercis occidentalis). It is drought resistant and drought tolerant with magenta flowers in springtime. Or opt for red maple (Acer rubrum), which grows fast, is covered with red flowers in spring, and orange red leaves in fall.
• Other flowering West Coast shade trees include crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), with showy summer blooms in shades of white, pink, or lavender, and evergreen toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), with white summer flowers and red berries in winter.
• For a slightly taller California shade tree, consider Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis). It tolerates both drought and poor oil, resists diseases, and offers great fall color. You could also go with native valley oak (Quercus lobate). These are tall trees, growing to 75 feet (23 m.) in deep soil. Like many native trees, valley oak tolerates most weather conditions and resists deer.

August is the height of summer and gardening in the West is at its peak. Much of the gardening tasks for western regions in August will deal with harvesting vegetables and fruits you planted months ago, but you’ll also need to irrigate as well as plan and plant that winter garden. If you are organizing your August to-do list, read on. We’ll help make sure you don’t forget anything.

Gardening Tasks for Western Regions

“The West” can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people, so it’s important to get on the right page. Here in the U.S., we classify California and Nevada as the West, leaving Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest region and Arizona in the Southwest. So, when we talk about gardening in the West, that’s what we mean.

Wherever you live in California or Nevada, most of your August to-do list will involve irrigating and harvesting crops. Obviously, the hot sun of August is going to dry out your soil, so if you haven’t got a regular irrigation schedule, there is no time like the present to do so. Remember not to water when it is too hot since the water will evaporate without providing irrigation for the roots.

The veggie and fruit stream continues to flow, and you’ll do well to keep picking crops like beans, peas, melons, tomatoes, and cucumbers on a daily basis, whether you plan to eat them that day or not. Trim off any ragged leaves from vegetable plants then water them deeply. You’ll see new leaves and flowers forming and more crops will come. Use this at a minimum with beans, cucumbers, and squash.

Do your picking as early in the day as possible. What’s the best time? Pretty early! Experts at the University of California at Davis have established that the optimal time to harvest is before sunrise. Veggie and fruit growth may slow or even stop when the weather gets really hot but be patient. It will resume a week or so after the heatwave is over.

August To-Do List

It’s not much fun to plant in the extreme heat, but planting is definitely a must for western gardens in August. Organize your schedule around the weather, finding time to work in the garden planting when it isn’t scorching.

What to plant in early August in the West? There are so many choices that you’ll have to pick and choose. It’s the last call to plant summer-maturing crops like bush beans, white potatoes, squash, and cucumbers. In super warm areas like Las Vegas, you even have time to start new tomato and pepper plants that will fruit in the cooler days of September.

August is also the time to start planning your winter garden. Think through what to plant, replacing a heavy-feeding crop with one that is lighter. You can include successive seedings of carrots and spinach through October to provide fresh crops through winter.

Other winter garden choices include:

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chard
• Endive
• Escarole
• Garlic
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Onions
• Parsley
• Peas
• Radishes

When you are planting in August, cover the newly seeded areas with row covers to protect them from the worst afternoon sun and keep the soil moist. A light mulch makes this easier.

“Vines in the West” may bring Napa Valley vineyards to mind. However, there are hundreds of ornamental vines for western regions that you can consider for your garden or backyard. If you live in California or Nevada and want to plant West Coast vine varieties, read on. We’ll give you tips on picking western vines that will be perfect for your garden.

About Vines in the West

Vines serve so many purposes in a garden. You can find flowering vines that fill your backyard with a sweet fragrance, and you can also grow vines to cover a pergola or for shading a patio.

Vines provide a vertical element in a backyard and can also cover up an ugly wall or unsightly building. The habitat value cannot be ignored either. Vines in the West provide food (in the form of pollen and berries) and shelter to birds, bees, and small mammals.

West Coast Vine Varieties

Like every other plant, vines must be selected with your hardiness zone and climate in mind. If you live in California, for example, you’ll need to find California vines that will thrive where you live and accomplish the purpose you have in mind.

The best West Coast vine varieties are vines that grow fast, require little maintenance, and accomplish your goals in the site you have in mind. Figure out what you want a vine to do for your garden and the type of sun exposure the site gets before you start shopping for vines for western regions. Then, look for native vines when possible.

Nevada Vines

When you live in Nevada, it’s wise to select native Nevada vines. Native plants usually are healthier and require less maintenance than non-native plants.

One of the best western vines for part shade garden sites is climbing snapdragon (Maurandella antirrhiniflora). It grows quite rapidly and fills with delicate purple blossoms.

Fringed twinevine (Funastrum cynanchoides) is another vine that prefers a part sun/part shade location. Its long, twining stems clamber up a support or over bushes. It has white, star-shaped flowers.

If you prefer fruiting vines, the canyon grape (Vitis arizonica) is a good choice. You can harvest the grapes and make jam or jelly.

California Vines

Any short list of the most popular ornamental vines in the West will include western white clematis (Clematis ligusticifolia), a woody native vine that climbs to 20 feet (6 m.). It produces so many creamy flowers that they make the entire vine look white.

The California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) is one variety of the sole host plant of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. It produces unusual flowers and is drought-tolerant in shade.

Another option to try is chaparral honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) with its fragrant, pink blossoms that attract hummingbirds. The flowers are followed by red berries that wild birds consume.

When you select Western region perennials for your garden or backyard, you are entering into a long-term relationship. Unlike annuals that only last for one season, perennials can grow in your garden for many years. That makes it important to select plants you like as well as plants that don’t require a lot of work.

Fortunately, there are many gorgeous perennial plants for California that are low maintenance and drought tolerant. Read on for information on growing perennials for Western states in your California garden.

Perennials in Western U.S. Gardens

Just ask any gardener, the best perennials in Western U.S. gardens for long term are plants that are easiest to care for. In the end, low maintenance beats almost any ornamental feature.

You may adore a particular plant and pay a high price for it in the garden store. If it is fussy, picky about location, and requires constant attention though, it will rapidly move off your list of favorites. That’s why it’s a great idea to consider native perennial plants for California backyards.

Perennial Plants for California

Technically, the term “perennials for Western states” includes any plant with a lifespan exceeding one season that can grow in a Western state – such as California or Nevada. Gardeners in the West, and particularly those who live in California, will find many beautiful native perennial species. These are plants that thrive in your yard with very little water or maintenance.

One popular perennial is California lilac (Ceanothus spp.). These perennials range in size from knee-high shrubs to small trees. They are evergreens that light up your yard with their large flowers, most often a brilliant indigo color. Provide them with well-draining soil and watch them go.

Other Western region perennials that are native to the area include yarrow (Achillea spp.) and hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea). These also are ornamentals found in many California gardens.

Yarrow can be found all throughout the Western states and is a valued garden classic. It grows to about 3 feet (1 m.) tall with lacy foliage and clustered flower heads at the top of the upward shooting stems. It is extremely drought tolerant when established.

Hummingbird sage is another California native shrub with sweetly scented spring blooms, typically pink or purple. It spreads via rhizomes and can create large stands without much effort on your part. If you hope to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to your garden, this is one of the Western region perennials you need to include.

Las Vegas has a long growing season that generally extends from mid-February to late November (about 285 days). This sounds like a dream come true to gardeners in northern climates, but gardening in Las Vegas definitely has its challenges.

People who attempt to grow plants in Las Vegas are confronted with oven-like temperatures, drying winds, minimal rainfall, and often poor soil. The rewards are mild winters, the desert vista, and the beautiful, endless sky. Read on to see what Las Vegas growing is like.

About Las Vegas Garden Design

Las Vegas garden designs are adaptable to the arid climate, often relying on indigenous plants or succulents. They are also shown to best benefit from carefully placed gravel, rocks, or natural stones. Trees are typically mesquite or other desert-loving specimens that cast a bit of welcome shade on hot days. Grassy lawns that demand water are typically small or not used at all. 

Outdoor furniture is normally chosen to reflect heat and stay cool. Firepits allow Las Vegas gardeners to enjoy the great outdoors on chilly evenings. Solar lights are a beautiful way to illuminate a desert garden without boosting the power bill.

Successful Gardening in Las Vegas

Prepare the soil well, as the soil is typically highly alkaline and low in fertility. One way to improve difficult conditions and improve drainage is to dig in generous amounts of compost, chopped leaves, well-rotted manure, or other organic material. Rely on mulch, which conserves moisture and keeps the soil cool.

Consider gardening in raised beds if your soil is difficult. Raised beds are attractive and easy to care for. You may want to have your soil tested to determine the pH level. A test will also let you know what nutrients are present, and how deficits can be supplemented.

Plant a few hardy perennials – low-maintenance plants that provide beauty for more than one season.

Vegetable Gardening in Las Vegas

Before planting veggies in the garden, you’ll want to choose those that are specifically adapted to growing in this type of harsh, desert-like environment. For instance, some tomato varieties do better than others in particularly hot climates. Likewise, if you’re wanting to grow spinach, you may want to opt for heat-loving alternatives.

When to plant in Las Vegas? Here��s a quick run-down:

• Summer crops like squash, cucumbers, watermelon, corn, and beans are best planted by seed directly in the garden when the soil is warm, usually in mid-to late February. Plant peas as soon as the ground thaws in January.
• Start tender plants like eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers indoors in early December, then transplant them outdoors after you’re sure there is no danger of frost, usually in mid-February. Alternatively, purchase small plants.
• Cole crops like cabbage, kale, and broccoli can be planted by seed directly in the garden as early as the ground can be worked in January. You can also buy small plants or start the seeds indoors in early December.

Make no mistake, “the West” is not a bite-size area. As a gardening region, the West includes all of California and Nevada and many different hardiness zones. Still, it’s warm throughout the region in summer, so a regional to-do list is possible.

If you are ready to jump into July gardening, you’ll have plenty of tasks on your plate. Read on for information about what you should be doing in western gardens in July.

July Gardening

Throughout the western hemisphere, the month of July is the heart of summer, meaning that the weather is sunny and warm. April’s showers brought May flowers, and June saw many western gardeners sowing vegetable seeds and planting annuals. You might think that July is a great time for gardeners in the West to sit back and barbeque.

It is, of course. However, plant growth can be phenomenal in western gardens in July. That means that a regional to-do list for this month will include all the usual garden maintenance work as well as some fun planting and harvesting.

What to Do in the West

The July list of what to do in the West starts with simple, predictable tasks like irrigation. Almost every plant, including drought tolerant succulents, appreciate a deep drink when it’s hot and dry. It is critical to water vegetables, like tomatoes, frequently, while tougher veggies like squash and beans do well with a little less.

Ornamentals, like camellias and azaleas, need generous amounts of water on a regular basis in July, and mature trees will require occasional deep watering during a drought. When you install annual flowers, they’ll require almost daily water until they develop as strong root system. The exception to the water-well-in-July rule is California native plants that are accustomed to wet winters and dry summers.

While you’re watering the flowers, take time to deadhead. Clipping off the faded blossoms allows more to grow. Don’t neglect to pluck out weeds as they appear and add mulch to keep more of them from showing up. Did you also know that annuals require regular fertilizer to keep those flowers coming?

What can you plant in western gardens in July? You still have the option in many areas to put on summer crops like early corn, summer squash, and beans. July is an especially good month to plant avocados, since these semi-tropical plants do well in the long weeks of summer heat to follow.

July is also perfect for adding summer annuals. Good choices include:

• begonias
• coleus
• cosmos
• dahlias
• lobelia
• marigolds
• petunias
• salvia
• zinnias

Herbs like basil can be planted too. It may be time to harvest citrus crops as well as peaches, apricots, and plums.

In the month of May, spring is waving goodbye and summer is saying hello. Gardeners in California and Nevada are hurrying to get their garden to-do lists wrapped up before it gets too hot. What are the critical May gardening tasks for the West? Read on for a regional garden checklist.

May Gardening Tasks for the West

• May is still planting time and putting in more seeds is part of every garden to-do list. Almost any warm season vegetable can be planted in May in western gardens.
• Stay away from lettuce, peas, and other crops that do not like the heat. Instead, start heat-loving tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons. You can also put in beans, okra, corn, cucumbers, and squash too. That’s not all.
• You can plant almost any kind of herb in May, including heat-loving herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, and lavender. Remember not to tuck the herbs into shady corners since most of them need at least six hours of direct sun.
• If you are a fruit fan, now’s the time to plant fruit trees. You can install avocado, banana, mango, and strawberry guava trees in May. If you have citrus trees, pick up any fallen fruit to tidy up the orchard.
• Keep those garden pruners and scissors close at hand in May. Your garden to-do list includes quite a bit of clipping and pruning. Start with deadheading the wilting blossoms of spring blooming flowers. That may lead to additional blooms and will certainly make the garden look nicer. Once winter and spring flowering trees and shrubs stop blooming, you’ll want to prune them as well.
• If you live in a desert climate, don’t do heavy pruning of desert legume trees right now. It’s a good time to take off dead limbs from trees like palo verde and mesquite but save any heavy pruning until after the heat of summer is behind you.

Additional Tasks in Western Gardens

In the West, as in many other parts of the country, May is a great time to make sure your flowers, trees, and veggies have enough water to keep them healthy and happy. That makes irrigation and mulching additional May tasks in western gardens.

One way to accomplish this is to set up a regular watering schedule either overhead, with a hose, or some type of drip system. If you live in hot areas of the West, you’ll need to water more than on the Pacific Coast.

Another way to keep water in the soil is to mulch your plants and trees. Apply a layer of mulch on flower beds, garden beds, and around trees or shrubs. Keep mulch a couple of inches (5 cm.) from the trunks or stems of the plants. Mulch holds in moisture but that’s not all. It also keeps weeds down and insulates the soil from the sun’s heat.

California has more microclimates than any other state and is just one of a few western states in the U.S. Still, some West Coast annual plants grow naturally throughout the region and are excellent choices for annual flowers for California.

Whether you are planting a summer or winter annual garden, you’ll find information here about easy-care annuals for western U.S. gardens.

Annuals in Western Region

Annuals are plants that complete a life cycle in one growing season. This means they germinate, flower, seed, and die all in one year. Most gardeners think of annuals for western U.S. gardens in terms of summer or winter annuals.

Summer annuals are plants that light up your summer garden then die off in fall. Winter annuals grow in the winter and early spring in regions with mild winters.

Annual Flowers for California Summers

Since California includes USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10, your choice of plants will depend on where you live. Summer annuals, however, are a different matter since hardiness is not an issue. You can probably plant all summer annuals in western region gardens.

However, if you are hoping for easy-care annuals that thrive without much maintenance, you will do well to consider annuals that are native to the area. For example, the state flower is the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and, while an annual, it is definitely a keeper. You can spot the bright orange flowers almost anywhere in the state, from prairies and mountain slopes to city gardens. This is one annual that reseeds itself reliably, so poppies this year can mean poppies next year too.

Other Annuals for Western Regions

Another bright native annual for western region gardens in summer is lupine (Lupinus succulentus). It grows in the wild throughout much of California as well as in sections of Arizona and Baja California. It is a popular landscaping annual thanks to its low water requirements and splashy blue flowers.

If you need a yellow native annual for a California garden or even a pond, consider the monkey flower (Erythranthe guttata). This wildflower thrives in a wide range of habitats from the Pacific Coast to Yellowstone National Park in alpine meadows and barren fields, even growing as an aquatic annual in small bodies of water. It provides nectar for bees and hummingbirds and reseeds itself year after year.

Winter Annuals for California

If you live in a mild winter area of California, you may also want annuals for your winter garden. Two excellent choices are calendula (Calendula officinalis) and pansies (Viola wittrockiana). These are common West Coast annual plants, but in many areas must be planted in spring. However, they can also be planted in the fall to provide a burst of color through the mild winter. Calendulas offer bright orange or yellow blooms while the pretty faces of pansies come in a rainbow of colors.

April comes dancing into our gardens as fruit trees put on their frilly blossoms and bulbs turn into bright flowers. The gardening to-do list for April can be a long one, especially for those living in the mild western region. Some would argue that the door to West Coast gardening opens in April. If you are making a list of your April gardening tasks, we are here to help.

April in the Western Region

The areas included in the western region of the country, like the states of California and Nevada, don’t look alike by any means. Some, like cities near the coast, may never see frost. Others, just a few miles inland, get frost but no snow, while still farther east, roads may be closed because of snowfall.

Since April in the western region includes such a range of climates, we’re going to focus on West Coast gardening. In this coastal region, winters are mild and summers come early. That makes for a lengthy gardening to-do list in spring.

April Gardening Tasks

April gardening tasks in this mild weather area include watering, feeding, and generally tending to perennials that made it through the winter months. Given that the area falls in the higher plant hardiness zones, many of the plants in your yard might be perennials.

• For these mature plants, you need to meet their immediate needs. Irrigating is important during dry periods since many of the deciduous plants have started their spring growth. Going without water can kill the new shoots.
• You’ll also want to fertilize plants like roses, berries, citrus trees, and deciduous fruit trees.
• You’ll want to weed early and often too.
• You can plant root crops like beets and potatoes in the veggie garden in April. It’s an in-between season, so you still have time to put in a few cool season crops if you get them in at the very beginning of the month. Harvest mature cool weather crops.
• April in the western region means summer bulbs too. You can put in callas, cannas, dahlias, and gladiolus now.
• Finally, you’ll need to keep your eyes open for signs of pest damage.