Spring 2012

The Gardener’s Grapevine

www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org

President’s Message Everybody Loves a Parade By Charlotte Marshall

Everyone connected with the Garden is buzzing

about our participation in Manhattan Beach’s

Centennial Parade and the Historic Picnic after‐

wards on Saturday, May 19. We’ll be flitting

down Manhattan Beach Boulevard, starting at

Pacific Avenue and ending in Polliwog Park,

handing out wildflower seed packets and honor‐

ing the City’s official flower—the Beach Prim‐

rose. We will also promote the Garden’s mission

of earth‐friendly gardening techniques, encour‐

aging the use of California native and climate‐

compatible plants, water conservation, and

teaching the benefits of sustainable landscaping

practices.

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden also

celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. Along

with promoting sustainable gardening, we en‐

courage the attraction of beneficial insects and

wildlife into our area. With that in mind, our

theme for the parade is “The Plight of the Bum‐

blebee.” We encourage all our members and

supporters to line the street or join our swarm of

friendly bees (imitated by humans) set to the

sound of Rimsky‐Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bum‐

ble Bee.”

During the picnic celebration at Polliwog Park

after the parade we will host tours of the Garden

with engaging and fun activities. To learn the

latest updates on the parade, go to the City’s

Web site: http://www.ci.manhattan‐beach.ca.us/

Index.aspx?page=1986. Get your buzz on and

join the fun.

I look forward to our paths meeting along the

parade route.

MBBG in 1992 MBBG in 2012

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The Gardener’s Grapevine Published since 1996

Collaborative Editors:

Julie Gonella Ann Barklow

Martha Andreani Charlotte Marshall

Layout Editor:

Suzanne Schultz

The Gardener’s Grapevine is published seasonally by volunteers of the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, a nonprofit corporation whose membership includes amateur and professional gardeners. Other organizations may reprint an article if credit is given and the editor is sent a copy. We are grateful to Chevron, the City of Manhattan Beach, Rotary of Manhattan Beach, and VOICE for their generous sponsorship. Manhattan Beach Botani-cal Garden is located in Polliwog Park on Peck Avenue, just north of Manhattan Beach Boulevard.

Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden P.O. Box 1156

Manhattan Beach, CA 90267-1156 (310) 546-1354

julie@manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org

MBBG Board of Directors

Charlotte Marshall, President Julie Gonella, Vice President Martha Andreani, Secretary

Roy Gonella, Treasurer Mimi Andersen Jill Brunkhardt

Mike Garcia Dave Harris Eve Kelso

John Scott

MBBG Board of Advisors

Melanie Baer-Keeley, Horticulturist Tony Baker, Horticulturist

Ann Barklow, Arborist Kathleen Bullard, Environmental Consultant

Greg Monfette, Arborist David Moody, Naturalist

Joyce Haraughty, PR Andrew Pedersen, Entomologist

Bob Shanman, Bird Expert Lisa Ryder Moore, Composting

Committees

Garden Maintenance Friday Volunteer Directors:

Mimi Andersen, Julie Gonella, and Gretchen Renshaw

Large Jobs: Mike Garcia & Enviroscape

Mulch Delivery: Wally Miglin

Volunteers: Julie Gonella

Outreach PR: Charlotte Marshall

Rotary: Dave Harris City Liaison: Eve Kelso

Chevron Liaison: Jill Brunkhardt

Education Interpretive Signs: John Scott

Classes: Martha Andreani Garden Tours: Gretchen Renshaw

Our Mission Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is a non‐

profit public education organization dedicated

to promoting earth‐friendly gardening tech‐

niques, encouraging the use of California na‐

tive and drought‐tolerant plants, and conserv‐

ing our natural resources.

Please join our all‐volunteer‐run organization

by helping maintain the Garden on Fridays

from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. No need to sign up;

just drop in. We’ll teach you earth‐friendly gar‐

dening techniques and provide the needed

tools. Non‐gardening tasks are available as

well. To learn more about MBBG, visit

www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org.

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

3

Thank You… Manhattan Beach Rotary Club members, in‐

cluding Russ Samuels and Wade Austin, and

MBBG volunteers, including Paul Shortridge,

Bruce Johnson, and Jim Catella for helping

add more footage to the new brick paths.

With the last batch of bricks ordered, the job

is near completion!

Martha Andreani for facilitating MBBG’s

participation in the City’s Centennial Parade,

and for helping Charlotte Marshall and Julie

Gonella put together MBBG’s Spring 2012

free class lineup.

Charlotte Marshall, Renata Eubank, and Julie

Gonella for covering nearly every street in

Manhattan Beach during their weekly walks

searching for water‐wise, wildlife‐friendly

yards. Over the last 12 months, they have

distributed 104 “Seal of Approval” signs.

Mimi Andersen and Charlotte Marshall for

creating a lovely array of centerpieces, and

Gretchen Renshaw and the El Camino Col‐

lege student volunteers for putting together

boutonnieres and corsages for the Leader‐

ship Manhattan Beach fundraiser. Money

was raised towards the downtown Post

Office sustainable landscape class project.

All the many volunteers who have served

the organization and helped maintain the

Garden over the

last year. Our vol‐

unteer appreciation

lunch this year was

the biggest ever!

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

Manhattan Beach Rotary members and MBBG volunteers

Succulent centerpiece for the LMB fundraiser

El Camino College students working with

Charlotte Marshall

MBBG’s 2012 Volunteer Appreciation Lunch

4

Up Close and Personal with Binoculars Did you know that your binoculars are not just for viewing far

away subjects? If you turn them around and put the eyepiece

close to an object, they make terrific magnifiers. Use this tech‐

nique to ID small pests on plants in your garden, or observe the

texture of flowers and leaves up close for an intimate experi‐

ence.

Rain Bird’s New “Copper Shield” Technology A sustainable landscape minimizes the need for im‐

ported water. Three ways the new landscape at the

downtown Manhattan Beach Post Office/Chamber of

Commerce site will do this are by:

1. Directing irrigation and rain water in such a way

that there is limited runoff and as much irrigation

as possible will be absorbed onsite;

2. Supplying irrigation only where it is needed, to the

roots of the plants;

3. Applying organic mulch to exposed soil after

planting.

A new drip irrigation system, donated by Rain Bird, will be installed to aid water conservation. The

system will use Rain Bird’s “Copper Shield” technology. Drip tubing made of flexible and durable

polyethylene, and containing tiny strips of copper that create negative ions, results in a natural, non‐

chemical way to repel roots, thus preventing clogging of drip irrigation emitters. This method of irri‐

gation is effective and efficient and will cut water use in half as compared to the previous spray sprin‐

kler heads. Once installed, this low maintenance system will be monitored regularly for leaks and as

the plants grow and mature the amount and location of water to be delivered will be easily adjusted.

Gardening Tips

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

A look through the large end of binoculars

Rain Bird drip irrigation kit

Got Mulch? The City of Manhattan Beach offers FREE tree trimming mulch to resi‐

dents 24/7 at the City Yard located at 3621 Bell Avenue, north of Sand

Dune Park just off Rosecrans.

5

What to Do about Rose Diseases Gretchen Renshaw, MBBG Board Member and UCLA Extension Instructor, Addresses Rose Pests Dear Gretchen,

In addition to volunteering at MBBG, I head up the care of the rose garden at

Heritage Court in Redondo Beach on 190th Street. This year the central rose garden, containing about 125

bushes, had a severe rust and black spot infestation. The other volunteers and I would like some guidance as to

how to combat these pests.

Kathy Barron

Dear Kathy,

The first thing to keep in mind when planting new rose plants is to choose fungus‐resistant varieties.

We live in the optimum climate for the development of black spot, rust, and powdery mildew—

temperatures between 64 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with enough fog in the summer to create wet

leaves. This is why Pasadena is a better rose‐growing area—it is usually hotter in summer. Your exist‐

ing diseased plants will benefit greatly with proper pruning—removing and disposing of this plant

material—along with a thick layer of organic mulch.

The best way to control these diseases is to routinely remove any infected plant parts as they develop.

In the winter collect and dispose of any leaves remaining on the plants and those that have fallen, and

prune back severely affected canes. Avoid overhead irrigation and, as a preventative, Safer fungicides

can be used, but be sure to follow the label carefully. There are optimal temperature ranges at which

these diseases thrive on roses: Black Spot ‐ 64 to 75 degrees; Powdery Mildew ‐ 61 to 81 degrees; Rust ‐

64 to 70 degrees

There are many disease‐resistant roses. For those who like the modern hybrids, the All‐America Rose

Selections™ (AARS) are a great place to start. You can identify these roses at the nursery by their tag

stating that they are “All‐America Rose Selections.” The “Iceberg” rose is an old favorite from this list.

Other varieties include “Julie Child,” “Wild Blue Yonder,” and “Tahitian Sunset.” Check out

www.rose.org for more information.

It is said within the rose world that the varieties with glossy green

foliage are the most resistant to foliar disease. Some of the old‐

fashioned roses that I have had good luck with include Rosa

chinensis Mutabilis, Rosa rugosa Blanc Double de Coubert, and the

climbing roses Cecile Brunner, Dortmund, Buff Beauty, Reve dʹor.

One of my neighbors’ best rose is the incredibly fragrant Jude the

Obscure. There are many online sources of information. The fol‐

lowing online catalog has a pretty good list of heirloom roses:

http://www.heirloomroses.com/care/sustainable‐gardening/.

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

Rose rust

Rosa Iceberg Pink

6

Focus on Wildlife The Alligator Lizard By Julie Gonella

Alligator Lizards are less commonly seen than Fence Liz‐

ards at MBBG, so this guy caused quite a stir when found

in early February under a rock in the Meditation Garden.

According to the Peterson Field Guide Western Reptiles and

Amphibians, the yellow eyes were an indication that this

was a Southern Alligator lizard. Its cousin, the Northern Alligator lizard, is similar in appearance and

behavior, and is found in much the same range but has dark eyes and slightly different belly mark‐

ings.

This fellow, although quite fierce looking, was not aggressive and did not try to bite as is common de‐

fensive behavior with this species. Instead, he posed on a black and white granite boulder, partially

camouflaged by its color and texture. Found in open woodland, grassland and moist foothills from

Washington to Northern Baja, this native lizard is well‐adapted with a somewhat prehensile (able to

grab) tail that it uses to help climb shrubs as it scurries about. Its body is serpent‐like with a large

head and short limbs. Often found near water, it swims like a snake using a whip‐like motion. The

slightly forked tongue of the Alligator Lizard gathers scents and transfers them to an organ on the

roof of its mouth. In this way, danger is detected, or more likely a tasty meal of crickets, sow bugs,

beetles, centipedes, small snails, and spiders (including black widows!).

The Alligator Lizard can often be found in local yards; in fact I found one once in my tiny yard in

Manhattan Beach. It is, however, yet another critter that outdoor cats target, so keep a bell on your

pet. The decline of lizards is often a prelude to an increase of garden pests. Learn more about this

beneficial garden creature at: http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/alligator_lizard/

alligatorlizard.htm

Hummingbird Sage—an English Garden Look with a California Scent Hummingbird Sage is growing in popularity. For those in need of a low grow‐

ing spreader, particularly in a semi‐shaded area such as a north facing planter

near the house, this is your plant. The bright green leaves of this attractive Cali‐

fornia native have a strong, yet pleasant, odor, and its multiple large stalks,

each laden with dozens of magenta flowers, will have all your neighbors talk‐

ing. True to its name, hummingbirds (and butterflies too) will be attracted to

the ample nectar produced by its flowers and later in the season black seeds

will feed migrating birds. Hummingbird Sage will remain green all year if

given extra water during dry seasons or it can be left to die back naturally and

spring back to life with seasonal rain. Cuttings, taken just below the ground,

root readily when potted, making this sage a great gift to share.

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

7

New Developments in the Garden

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

Official Manhattan Beach City Flower Beach Primrose seeds

were purchased in bulk

from the Theodore Payne

Foundation and were suc‐

cessfully sown in Decem‐

ber under Gretchen

Renshaw’s direction.

Entrance Improvements The largely bare Coffeeberry shrub at the west entrance was re‐

cently cut back, and three Jerusalem sages were obtained and in‐

stalled near it thanks to Linda Morey.

Farewell to the Alder A mysterious ailment ended the life of the Garden’s beloved White

Alder. One of the few trees present before MBBG was created, it

served as a focal point of the Children’s Garden, providing shade for

visitors lunching on the bench and a habitat for birds and squirrels.

Check the Web MBBG’s Web site now has our new schedule of free spring gardening classes: www.mbbgarden.org.

A list of City‐approved landscapers is available that can be contacted for a free at‐home evaluation.

Contact Sona Kalapura the City’s Environmental Programs Manager by phone at (310) 802‐5341 or by

e‐mail at skalapura@citymb.info, or go to this “Green Page” of the City’s Web site: http://

www.citymb.info/Index.aspx?page=2056.

Stefan Partelow, his mother, Char, and Sylvia Rayner help propagate Beach Prim-rose.

After three months, the seedling were ready to transfer from flats to pots.

West entrance makeover

The old White Alder

8

MBBG Supports LMB Sustainable Landscape Project By Julie Gonella

cides, which enter

the soil and kill

beneficial organisms,

and which also enter

the ocean as runoff

causing pollution.

Another will be wa‐

ter conservation. A great impact will be made by

converting a large portion of the lawn area into

climate‐appropriate vegetation and permeable

surfaces. These measures will reduce the need

for irrigation and maintenance, saving the City

money.

Creating a Sustainable Landscape at the Post

Office/Chamber of Commerce

Plants: Climate‐appropriate shrubs

and trees will be installed that are

not just drought‐tolerant, but able to

thrive in fog, wind (cold stormy

wind and hot Santa Ana wind), salt air,

various sun exposures, and long periods of no

rain. Some California natives on the plant palate

will include the Western sycamore tree, Western

redbud, ceanothus (lilac), and sages. These will

attract and provide food and cover for birds and

butterflies.

Turf: There will be less coverage using tradi‐

tional turf, which is water‐, energy‐, and fertil‐

izer‐intensive. A sturdy, drought‐tolerant grass

variety will be installed in two areas to accom‐

modate dog walkers.

Irrigation: A water‐conserving Rain Bird drip

irrigation system will be used. This will prevent

leaks and overspray and will deliver water only

where it is needed, to the roots of the plants.

(Continued on page 9)

Leadership Manhattan Beach (LMB) is a nine‐

month‐long training program that introduces

class members to various community services

and programs. As a member of this year’s class,

I’m learning to work collaboratively with 28

adults and high school students with an empha‐

sis on results and teamwork. These new skills

will help me with my volunteer endeavors at

MBBG. A high point of the LMB experience is a

class project: doing something real to benefit the

Manhattan Beach community.

This year’s LMB project is to fund and install the

landscape makeover of the Downtown Post

Office/Chamber of Commerce building that was

recently approved by the Manhattan Beach City

Council. The “Sustainable Garden Project” will

ultimately serve as a demonstration garden for

Manhattan Beach residents, as well as the entire

South Bay community. The goal is to educate

people in environmentally friendly landscaping

and to inspire the use of sustainable gardening.

The garden, located on a prominent corner, will

teach people about sustainable landscaping prin‐

ciples that easily can be applied at home, with

the ultimate goal of conserving water, saving

money, and giving back to the environment.

And it will be a great place to enjoy!

A sustainable landscape is one in which energy

and resources spent on maintenance are minimal

and practices that promote beneficial wildlife are

implemented. The four major components at the

Post Office site will be climate appropriate

plants, a water‐conserving drip irrigation sys‐

tem, permeable pathways, and organic mulch.

One benefit to the environment will include the

reduction or elimination of fertilizers and pesti‐

New & Improved: www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or www.mbbgarden.org

9

Wildlife: The garden will provide the

four essentials for wildlife:

1. Food ‐ nectar, seeds, insects

2. Water ‐ chemical‐free, fresh

3. A place to hide ‐ trees, shrubs, rocks,

mulch

4. A place to raise young ‐ trees, shrubs, species

‐specific plants (think Monarchs and milk‐

weed but there are others)

Water Retention/Harvest: Methods will be used

to keep water onsite such as sloped grading and

permeable pathway materials of decomposed

granite (DG) and grout‐less pavers. These meas‐

ures prevent polluting ocean runoff by allowing

water to seep into the earth where it can be natu‐

rally filtered and cleansed before heading down

to replenish the water table. Rain barrels or a

rainwater harvesting system are other methods

to capture and use rainwater.

Pesticides: There will be little to no pesticides

used in the landscaping. Climate‐appropriate

(Continued from page 8) plants will reduce the need because they

will not be prone to disease.

Fertilizers: There will be little to no fertilizer

used. Adding organic amendments such as gyp‐

sum, applying organic mulch, and installing CA

natives and various drought‐tolerant succu‐

lents will reduce the need.

Mulch: Organic mulch, such as chipped tree

trimmings, will be applied over exposed soil be‐

tween plants 2 inches to 4 inches deep. When

laid, it will be kept 2 inches from stems of small

plants, 4 inches to 6 inches from trunks of

shrubs, and 12 inches or more from tree trunks

to maintain plant health. Dead leaves, twigs,

flower heads, and other garden matter will be

left on the ground instead of sweeping and haul‐

ing away.

The LMB Class of 2012 is raising funds from the

community for the Sustainable Garden Project.

To learn more about the project, or to make a

donation, go to: www.SustainableGardenProject‐

.com.

Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2012

Spring Garden Tour The South Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is holding its 18th annual Spring Garden Tour

on April 21, 2012, from 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. For tickets go to their Web site: http://www.sccnps.org/, or call Loretta at (310) 692-0500 any day between 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.

10

www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org

Oak ($5,000)

Chevron Corporation

Alder ($1,000)

Mike Garcia

Helen Ristani

Rotary Club of MB

Redbud ($500)

Julie & Roy Gonella

Bruce Johnson

David Lesser & Family

Kim Lewis

MB Property Owners Association

John Scott

Sage ($250)

Martha Andreani

Charlotte & John Barry

Kathy Clark

Kristie Daniel‐DiGregorio

Hermosa Garden Club

Kellie Hunter

Robin & Sharon Nakazaki & Family

Neptunian Women’s Club

Deborah & John Porter & Family

Bob Shanman of Wild Birds

Unlimited: Free Birdseed

Buckwheat ($100)

Ann Barklow

Janet Brownlee

Kathleen Bullard

Dr. Maria Capaldo

Thomas Conroy & Alice

Neuhauser

Ann Dalkey

Maria Doiev

The Goshtigian Family

Dave Harris

Deborah & Will Hass

Russ & Charlotte Lesser

Marina del Rey Garden Center

Edie Merrifield & Family

Cheryll Lynn & Scott McNabb

Lisa & Patrick Moore

Laura & Layton Pace

Bernard & Shirley Reyner

Hans & Rachel Vandenberg

Geoffrey Yarema

Zwissler Family

Poppy ($50)

Anonymous

Isa & Barry Anderson

Diane & Lou Charbonneau

Poppy (cont’d)

Jim Catella

Cathy Clous

Stana Edgington

Virginia Evans

Gail & Wayne Fenner

Kaye Gagnon

Georgette Gantner

Mike Gumino

Joyce & Ken Haraughty

Betty Keel

Kris Lauritson

Liza Levine

Charlotte Marshall

Ann Martin

McAree Family

Don & Jeanne McPherson

Pamela McManus

Meyers Family

Andrea Miller

Vickie Ruch

Dixie Roy

Carol Tanner

Temple Shalom

Phyllis & John Wormington

Thank You MBBG Sponsors!

Printed on Recycled Paper Printing Courtesy of Chevron

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is located in Polliwog Park on Peck Avenue, just north of Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Become a Sponsor and/or Member of Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden—P.O. Box 1156, Manhattan Beach, CA 90267‐1156

Name _______________________________________________ Telephone _________________________

Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________________________

E‐Mail Address if you would like to receive The Gardener’s Grapevine electronically along with

occasional bulletins_________________________________________________________________________

Membership: Student, $12 Senior, $18 Regular, $24 Family (Household), $36

New Member Renewal

Sponsorship Levels: Poppy $50 Buckwheat $100 Sage $250 Redbud $500 Alder $1,000 Oak $5,000

Please support our all‐volunteer organization. Dues and donations to the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden are tax de‐

ductible and are used for outreach and education, as well as for the purchase of new plants, the replacement of garden

tools and materials and occasional special projects requiring hired contractors.