OK, I confess- I am passionately, and up until now, quietly, working to remove toxic chemicals and toxic practices from the wonderful world of arboriculture (the art, science technology, and business of tree care). Most of us think trees are good, but we don’t all know why. We also don’t, for the most part, think much about them until they fall down, break something, turn brown, begin to lift the driveway, or start dripping sticky stuff on our cars. Sadly, most of us don’t know how to care for our trees and other landscaping. We trust that the mow and blow guy is a genius in all things and would never dream of doing anything to hurt our precious plants. This may not the way to handle these leafy creatures that can shelter, cool and please us, and make our properties look spiffy. We probably spend more time deciding where to eat lunch than we do making sure that the landscape we are responsible for, that we paid for, is well cared for by people who truly specialize in such things.

 Not to say that there aren’t mow and blow guys who know about trees, but I guarantee they are not likely to know the latest and most prudent practices of eco-friendly landscaping. Perhaps you have had such an experience in your own yard, where your prize ornamentals were all treated equally-sheared off at the knees, sprayed with who-knows-what and left gasping for proper attention. Proper pruning will never look bad.

It is finally becoming “chic” to be ecologically responsible for your trees, for your property-no matter how large or small. Many of you have been doing this forever-greenies to your souls. Not using toxic chemicals and unnecessary fertilizers on your trees and other landscape plants is the way to be “IN“, although millions have been living this way for totally different reasons having nothing to do with popularity-only a growing sense of comman sense. I assure you, this does not mean that you have to have a shabby looking landscape, insect riddled gardens, or anything less than absolutely beautiful! There are hundreds of very fine products out there that work without polluting the water sources, giving your children and pets cancer, killing every earthworm for miles, or murdering the birds that come to your place looking for a snack.

There are amazing professionals–gardeners, arborists, ecologists out there who specialize in these marvelous things and can guide you towards healthy and beneficial personal green spaces. You will have the best of gardens, “Eco-Chic” gardens, environmentally responsible practices abounding, birds galore (without hanging feeders), butterflies, ladybugs (without buying them in bags) and your friends, secretly jealous, because you thought of it first.
 2010 Shades of Green Horticulture

“And because the breath of
flowers is far sweeter in
the air (where it comes
and goes
like the warbling of music)
than in the hand,
therefore nothing is more fit
for that delight
than to know what be the
flowers and plants that
do best perfume the air.”
Francis Bacon 1561-1626

Although they are not exactly on top of a drought tolerant plant list , I have seen lilacs blooming out in the middle of nowhere- where they have received no summer water, no care, no nothing. The books say they need moderate water in our zone, but again, I beg to differ. And since they are an old-time favorite of so many, because of their incredible and unmistakable fragrance, I thought I’d just say a word about them.

New residents moving from much colder climates remember lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) effortlessly blooming in early summer and are likely to ask you to plant some. Go ahead! Just be careful about where you put them. Although lilacs grow and perform well in our area, they are often planted in southwest or west exposures, where they can struggle and/or burn in our scorching, “broil setting” afternoon sun. An east or northeast exposure will provide these beautiful shrubs with all the sun they need to bloom. Remind your customers that lilacs do not like acidic soil. Dig in some dolomite lime when planting and re-apply yearly by working into the top 6″ of soil.

Since most lilacs bloom on year-old wood, prune them right after flowering, removing spent flower heads back to a pair of leaves. Growth for next year’s blooms starts here. Be patient! Heavy blooming can take 3-5 years after planting, but it’s worth the wait. Just remember to plant them with other later-blooming shrubs-they are pretty plain when not in flower.

Finally, I’d like to address the “old wives’ tale” about getting more blooms by putting ice on the plants in winter: Prune correctly, correct acidic soil, and leave the ice cubes in the freezer. Don’t forget a nice mulch layer to keep roots happy.
And one final thought about the lovely, fragrant lilacs: I think they bloom around tax-time just to make people feel better…ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) - AB1881 became effective January 1, 2010. WELO, (pronounced wee-low) essentially makes it illegal to waste water in the state of California. Its purpose is:

• To establish a structure for designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water efficient landscapes in new and rehabilitated projects.
• To use water efficiently without waste by setting a Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) as an upper limit for water use and reduce water use to the lowest practical amount.
• To establish provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention for existing landscapes.
• To promote the value and benefit of landscapes while recognizing the need to use water and other resources efficiently. Read the rest of this entry »