When is the best time to plant native plants? Anytime! The cooler times of the year, fall through spring, are of course the best times. There is rainwater, no intense heat, shorter days, and the ground is much softer for digging.  Plants installed in the heat of summer will need some sun protection and more care for them to survive both transplant shock and extreme weather, but it can be done. Right now in early spring you can enjoy filling up your garden with lovely natives.

Remember that not all plants require the same conditions. Think about what communities these plants originate from and you’ll have more success.  For instance, many plants grow under oaks, so enjoy some dappled shade and sun protection. Toyon, coffeeberry, snowberry, grape and the strikingly beautiful bush anemone and ceanothus do well either in partial shade or on the north side of an inland property.

Some plants love full sun, dry ground and being left alone. Matilija poppy, flannelbush, woolly blue curls, and Cleveland sage all are very particular, and standouts in the landscape.

Other plants thrive with occasional watering and fit beautifully into a butterfly and flower garden around your home. Penstemon, monkey flower, apricot mallow, fairy duster, and San Diego mint enjoy an overhead sprinkle every few weeks in the summer, but still don’t need more than that.

Still others are riparian plants, which need to have moist soils within reach of their roots. They are great to use in areas of your landscape where water settles or flows through. Willow, elderberry, coast live oak, cottonwood, sycamore,  Douglas iris, and more will help drain areas where water settles. Their roots hold onto soils to keep culverts and drains from silting in.

Don’t let the mantra that fall is the only time to plant natives dissuade you. Plant while the ground is soft and the weather calm, and you’ll reap the benefits as the plants fill out and bloom through the year.