Putting Down Roots ~ "ro0T dowN"

By: Nancy McNeish

The coming chilly weather inspires us to cozy-up in our homes and “root down” indoors. It’s’ also the ideal time to get outside and establish the permanent plantings that form the framework of our landscape design. Trees, shrubs, and California natives planted now will grace your yard for years to come. Now is the ideal time for planting; the soil is still summer-warmed, the air temperatures will cool in the weeks ahead, and winter rains will eventually roll in and nurture your new landscape

Grevillea – from down under, a whole range of heat lovers bloom in shades of coral – irresistible to hummingbirds

Healthy roots growing below ground mean lush leaves, flowers, and fruits growing skyward. A tree’s roots can be 18″ to 24″ or more below ground, where they absorb water, nutrients, and oxygen. Yes, roots breathe too! Roots may spread out to the width of the tree canopy, or even well beyond. They continue to grow all winter, even after the leaves fall.

Now’s the time to dig in and prepare your planting areas to make the most of this season. Root down a few of these:

Trees

Maples: ‘October Glory’ and ‘Red Sunset’; possess vivid oranges, reds, and scarlet fall colors.
Chinese Pistache ‘Keith Davey’ shows off brilliant scarlet fall color and no berries.
Evergreens include Bay Laurel, Camphor Tree, and Tristania ‘Elegant.’
Spring flowers options include weeping cherry, magenta flowering Redbuds or crabapple.

Shrubs

Camellias: ‘White Doves’ is white, ‘Taylor’s Perfection’ is light pink, and ‘Yuletide’ is cheery red as well as early-to-bloom.
Azaleas: ‘Happy Days’ is violet purple and ‘Formosa’ are magenta.
Grevilleas: ‘Mt. Tamboritha’ has pink colored flowers, ‘Coastal Gem’ has red blossoms that Hummingbirds love.
Leucadendron ‘Yellow Top’ has yellow bracts, and ‘Red Gem’ has red bracts.

California Natives

Manzanitas
California Wild Lilac
Salvias
Toyon and Coffee Berry

Let’s start “Putting Down Roots.”