Coral WilsonNature lovers admire the beauty and...

Coral Wilson

Nature lovers admire the beauty and diversity of plants from around

the world. But members of the California Native Plant Society say

there is nothing more natural than going native -- by including

California’s native plants in landscaping in their gardens.

And just to prove that to nonbelievers, members of the Orange

County chapter are inviting people to their homes to enjoy their

gardens on Saturday and Sunday.

“When people think native, they think brown, dead and ugly,” said

Barbara Shelton of Corona del Mar. “I want people to see, it can be

mixed and it can be beautiful.”

Shelton’s garden includes fruit, vegetables, herbs and native

plants. Some of her native plants have colorful blossoms, and some

are evergreens. One of the things she said she loves most is the

fragrance.

“When you walk through sages and buckwheat there is a nice

fragrance that attaches to your clothes,” she said. “And then you

know that you have walked through native plants.”

Native plants are diverse enough to match any gardening tastes,

Shelton said. Looking at her own garden while cooking or cleaning the

house, she said, gives her a sense of comfort and makes her feel

relaxed. Most of all, she said she enjoys seeing nature at work.

“There are wonderful blossoms that you tend to love, and then they

go,” Shelton said. “It’s all right, though, because then the seeds

come and then the birds come, and it is all part of the evolution.”

Native plants make sense because they are easy to maintain and are

perfectly adapted to the semi-arid California climate, said Deanna

Epley of Corona del Mar. Her garden, called “California Seasons,” is

drought tolerant and requires low maintenance, saving her money and

time.

“We are within the lowest 10% of water users and yet, we have a

lush landscape,” she said. “Everyone is planting English [gardens],

but it hurts our critters and it hurts us.”

Todd Heinsma and Adam Coad of Costa Mesa, who have a lot of

experience working in nurseries, have been working to beautify the

concrete courtyard shared by six apartment buildings. They call it

“An Urban Restoration.” There, they will be serving wine and cheese

to visitors.

“I love the native plants. They fit here,” Heinsma said. “They

don’t need so much extra work. ... Intuitively, it feels right.”

One of the best things about planting native plants is all the

wildlife and visitors it attracts, he said. While many try to keep

the insects away, Heinsma said he welcomes them because more bugs

make a garden more natural and healthy.

“If you are growing vegetables, you need the insects to eat the

pests that eat your vegetables and they will pollinate,” he said.

“Insects are good for health and joy.”

Since he has started replacing concrete and weeds with native

plants, the garden has attracted butterflies, ladybugs, friendly

black carpenter bees, rabbits and a variety of birds.

“There is a long-held prejudice against bugs because of the way

they look,” said Dan Songster, president of the California Native

Plant Society and lead groundskeeper at Golden West College.

Many insects can be beneficial and native gardens don’t bring more

bugs, just a better balance, he said. Appreciating insects just

requires a better understanding, and he said sometimes, he even gets

on his hands and knees with a book to examine the varieties.

“I like to provide a habitat for the insects and birds,” he said.

“I can provide natural nectar for the hummingbirds rather than using

a hummingbird feeder.”

Part of the problem is that native plants remain a little

mysterious to many, Songster said.

“There has been a big swing among people who like the newness and

adventurousness of a native landscape,” he said. “They don’t always

know what to expect, and they make mistakes, but it’s OK.”

Songster said he is not a “native-only snob.” He likes the history

of plants from around the world and has incorporated many into his

own garden. Manicured lawns and imported plants can be visually

attractive, but he said they are like a piece of art -- beautiful to

look at, but lacking the natural interactions.

“A native garden is one that is buzzing with life,” he said.

“There is more to a garden than just an image to look at.”