GROWING YOUR LONG BEACH GARDEN (DIY)

By Miranda von Lersner

We are fortunate to live in a wonderful climate here in Long Beach. The combination of sunshine, proximity to the ocean, and moderate temperatures throughout most of the year puts us in a fantastic location to grow beautiful plants. And right now is the best time to start your garden for maximum blooms.

Many gorgeous native plants thrive in Long Beach’s soil that are drought tolerant to our average rainfall. Some examples of native Long Beach flowers are Verbenas, California Poppy, California Buttercup, Beach Morning Glory, and Beach Primrose. Native shrubs and grasses also add color and body to your garden such as California Sagebrush, Deer Plant, Bush Monkey Flower, Bush Sunflower, and Golden Yarrow.

Bring In The Wildlife

Attracting wildlife to your garden can be a magical experience. Fortunately, Long Beach has a wide variety of native plants that attract butterflies, bees, and birds. The native Narrow Leaf Milkweed is an excellent source of nutrients for Monarch butteries and Fennel is a native herb that attracts Swallowtail butteries. The caterpillars will eat the plants for nourishment before forming their chrysalis to become beautiful butteries. I was lucky enough to have a Monarch caterpillar create a chrysalis in my garden last September after planting Narrow Leaf Milkweed!

Local Horticulturists

Long Beach has many knowledgeable horticulturists in the area to help guide you in your gardening journey. Alfonso, owner and operator of United Plant Growers, and Nadia, at Ricardo’s Nursery, both recommend starting with assessing the soil where you’d like to grow some plants. Soil health is a major factor to a thriving garden and it's often necessary to amend the soil in your garden beds. You could take pictures of your soil or better yet, bring in a small sample, and they can tell you what type of soil amendments and fertilizers you might need to help your selected plants thrive. I personally recommend the addition of Mycorrhizae spores to help establish and improve the transfer of nutrients to the roots.

Local Nurseries

Stop by one of the many nurseries in our area to purchase native plants. The employees love to answer questions. Alfonso at United Plant Growers has spent his life working in the nursery business from sales, to distribution, and now owning his own nursery. His nursery has an extensive selection of flowers, shrubs, trees, fruits, and vegetables across 14 acres. Their operations are impressive; they mix their own soil, grow plants from seeds, then nurture the plants until they’re mature. Some of Alfonso’s favorite plants for the area are Coprosma, Cordylines, and native grasses which you can find at United Plant Growers nursery.

Ricardo’s Nursery spans 9 acres and has won many awards including Best of Long Beach, Excellence in Business Awards, and others. Ricardo’s specializes in drought tolerant plants perfect for Southern California. Nadia at Ricardo’s recommends Heliotropes and native sage plants that thrive in our climate such as Mexican Sage, Cleveland Sage, and All Chickering Sage available at Ricardo’s nursery.

Nurseries:

United Plant Growers | 3682 Caspian Ave, 90810

Ricardo’s Nursery | 6850 Atlantic Ave, 90805

Mezcala Nursery | 6901 Orange Ave, 90805

Jauregui Nursery | 7200 E. Wardlow Rd, 90808

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO:

You can find more information about native plants at CalScape.org or BeWaterWise.com.

With Calscape.org, plug in your exact address to find out what specific plants would do well in your garden. Calscape.org also provides information about the plant’s seasons (perennial vs annual), mature size, the wildlife that it can attract, and community plants that it thrives alongside with.

BeWaterWise.com provides information on water-saving rebates, water-wise landscape classes and inspirations, and tips to decrease water use.