Things to Consider

  • Remember the Seasons
    • Bees Need More Blooms in Summer and Fall
  • It’s Not a Crime To Add Non-Natives
  • Think Long Term – Size of Mature Plants
  • Maintenance
  • Leave areas of undisturbed soil and aged wooden posts or logs for native bee nesting sites.

Resources

Here are some resources for pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant native plants:

Water Conservation

Water will always be a challenge in our area.

Fire Safety

Another consideration in our area is fire danger, especially if your home is near the border of an urban area in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

Zones

Most gardening books, catalogs, seed packets, and plant tags refer to plant hardiness zone, climate zone, or growing zone. In California, the most commonly used plant hardiness systems are:

Location Sunset Zone USDA Zone
Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, and Hollister 14 9b-10a
Aromas, Prunedale 16 9b
Salinas, Soledad 15 9b