Built2Last
Newly Registered
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Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:41 am

What are some native plants for my San Jose home?

Hey mates,

I live in Downtown San Jose and I recently spent a fortune on getting a decent home (which shouldn't be a surprise) there. Well, I'm looking to improve my backyard with a small garden, but I'm a novice at that. Could you guys help me with some suggestions on native plants? Beginner gardening tips are also welcome. :)

Thanks in advance, folks!

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rainbowgardener
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Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Welcome to the Forum, glad you found us. Congratulations on your interest in gardening with native plants. I think it will make life easier for you as a new gardener, since they are adapted to your climate and so are easy to maintain. I just came home from visiting my son in Oakland, so I have some understanding of how expensive housing in the Bay Area can be. I'm sure you want your garden to look nice.

This is a native plant data base:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/

you can put in the search fields your state, what you are looking for (like plants, shrubs, trees, vines, etc), your conditions (sunny/shady, wet/dry) and it will pop you up a list. Each item on the list is a link to more info about that plant. That will be a good place to start browsing.

But if you are really new to gardening, better would be to find a good native plant nursery near you, where you can look at things and talk to knowledgeable people. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS)

https://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/nurseries.php

has a list of native plant nurseries in the Bay Area, including

https://middlebrook-gardens.com/

The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the CNPS has a lot of resources including a list of Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for San Jose Gardens:

https://www.gardeningwithnatives.com/res ... ygrow.html

which also has links to where to find the plants.

It's hard for me to make specific suggestions without knowing more about the size and conditions of your yard/ garden (did you want to turn your whole back yard into native plant garden or just have lawn with a little garden space). But here's a little bit of basic tips about landscaping:

I would think about the back yard as a whole and think about how you would like to use it, what you would like to have there. A seating area? An eating area with table / chairs? An outdoor kitchen or just a BBQ grill? Have kids, need a play area? A shed or garden tool storage space? Compost area? Water feature (I think every yard should have one, at least a bird bath and fountain, if not a small pond)? Fire pit?

Then make a scale map of your yard and start drawing in where things will be and where paths to them will be. Think about making curves not straight lines. Think about having some things hidden, not the whole yard visible at the first glance. Remember, even in a small yard, you will want different heights, trees, shrubs and tall and low plants. In a small yard probably smaller trees on the edges, stepping down from there. Indicate on your map where trees would go, leaving space for how big they will eventually get.

Then start with the hardscape first - paths, walls, arbor, water feature, fencing,anything you will build. Trees next. Then you can gradually fill in with all the other stuff. Remember, this is going to be an on-going project for a long time, be patient.

Look for ideas that inspire you:

Image
https://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/BNB/I'm ... _fBoxH.jpg

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https://fantasynursery.com/yahoo_site_ad ... 45_std.jpg

Image
this is from a listing for a home for rent in Berkeley

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https://1.lushome.com/wp-content/uploads ... eas-17.jpg


Hope this was some help! Keep us posted. Be sure to take lots of before and after pictures and keep us posted! :)

Built2Last
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Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:41 am

@Super Green Thumb

Hi, thank you so much for the response and the suggestions. Yeah, I was thinking of a water feature and a simple BBQ. My backyard isn't too big in size (runs 10 x 15 feet - the length running along the wall). But looking at your posts, I guess I'll do some more. Sure will keep you posted. Thanks! :)

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rainbowgardener
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Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

OK 10x 15 is very small, less than I was picturing, but it is amazing what you can do with even a tiny space to create a really inviting retreat. I have a mental image of it, but couldn't find a picture to match. But the positive side of a small space like that, is that you can afford to really fill it with plants, very lush.

You mentioned a wall? Show us some pictures! :) A wall could be the location for your water feature, a wall fountain:

Image
https://bestideasnet.com/wp-content/uplo ... ains-8.jpg



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