Any tips for trying to grow a socal native flower garden for the first time? Fave drought resistant flowers/plants for outdoors? 🌷

Question

Sarah · Answer

Prairie Moon Nursery - one stop shop for native seeds: my friend who's very into natives cannot recommend Prairie Moon Nursery more highly for your native flower seed needs. They even have a "shady woodland seed mix" which I plan to order for under our very large red maple.

Andrea · Answer

Native plants specific to your area ❤️: Native plants are generally quite drought tolerant, and you can discover what will grow best in your yard by learning more about what is native to your specific area. (And learn about what your soil is like and consider your sun situation in different parts of your yard)

Prairie Moon Nursery is a great resource specially for MN / upper Midwest but there are other resources for every area.🌼

Uri · Answer

Sages, goldenbrush, and buckwheats: My go to starters for minimal work, quick results (fast growers), and maximum return— little buggers and birds will come through soon after. I’d add mulenburgia (deer grass) and saltbush as I think they are soil fixers.

All are low-water…adaptable to any soil type. Just make sure they get a deep, weekly watering in the first year (2x a week if planting in the summer). Alternatively, use the filters on Calscape to help you narrow it down. Have fun!

Rachael · Answer

Walqaqsh Seeds

Kaitlin · Answer

Design Your Wild: This is the best gardening newsletter, with TONS of practical advice. Well worth the subscription to get access to paid posts, the archives, and various workshops. Best of all, they seem to love answering reader questions about making native gardens in different parts of the country.