Comments on: Garden Designers Roundtable: How to Make Your Region’s Plants Pop

By: Celebrating Regional Diversity! « Garden Designers Roundtable

Celebrating Regional Diversity! « Garden Designers Roundtable — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:46:22 +0000

[...] Genevieve Schmidt (North Coast Gardening) – Arcata, CA [...]

By: Town Mouse

Town Mouse — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:27:00 +0000

Love your post! And I so agree it’s important to balance things. I’ve found that in my mostly native garden, there’s a native bloom hole in August, and a second in January. I’m always very happy when Agapathus (yes, it’s true…) steps in in August, and Correa and Hellebore brighten up the December/January days, just before the Manzanita steps up to the task of feeding the bees.

When people ask me why I’m not 100% native, I just say “it’s a garden, not a wilderness”.

By: Gossip in the Garden » Blog Archive » Garden Designer’s Bloglink: Celebrating Regional Diversity – Silicon Valley style!

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:06:34 +0000

[...] Genevieve Schmidt (Arcata) – North Coast Gardening [...]

By: Tara Dillard

Tara Dillard — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:44:31 +0000

I use a mix of pass along plants & natives. Your post makes me realize I should use a higher percentage of natives. When someone is passionate & knowledgeable who can resist?

Your pictures sell your words. Love it.

Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

By: Shirley Bovshow "EdenMaker"

Shirley Bovshow "EdenMaker" — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:51:57 +0000

Hi Gen,
I agree with your viewpoint of integrating native plants with other plants as an ideal way of attracting wildlife and admiration for your garden!

It doesn’t have to be “all native” or nothing. My garden is a blend of natives and Mediterranean plants.

I enjoyed your presentation.

Shirley Bovshow
Garden World Report

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:37:20 +0000

Great insight into why natives are looked down upon. What a wonderful post and advice as to how to include them in a landscape design successfully. Working in Virginia, I am not familiar with some of the plants you mentioned, but I can truly imagine how you create very exciting gardens!

By: Laura Livengood Schaub

Laura Livengood Schaub — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:35:33 +0000

Rock on, girl! I agree with Germi that native-only purists can be a pain in the arbutus. A while back I was talking enthusiastically about my beautiful Cercis occidentalis 'Forest Pansy' and one such puritan asked what was wrong with our native C. canadensis? And I said nothing that huge purple heart-shaped leaves wouldn't cure! Bravo, Gen, a very well-written and educational post. I tuck many of our lovely natives in gardens that I design, and feel quite virtuous doing so. Thanks for sharing! .-= Laura Livengood Schaub´s last blog ..Garden Designers BlogLink: Design Drawing Diversity =-.

By: Susan aka Miss R

Susan aka Miss R — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:36:22 +0000

Wow. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t kiss and tell with natives in my plans–for all of the reasons you suggest! If a client is interested, then YES I’ll rave about them, but if not I use them and just don’t say anything! I hope this is changing in my region…it seems so much more accepted in others. Thanks for an inspiring post.

By: Germi

Germi — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:07:59 +0000

Gen, you are singing a great song in a perfect key!(does that make sense?)

I LOVED when you said “Stop Being Such A Danged Purist!” (okay you said dashed) – because I think the all or nothing native zealots do their cause such a disservice! You showed us exactly the fresh way to garden with natives – weave them in, use them as a starting point, enjoy them for the sense of place and continuity they give! Natives are a really important part of gardening, but they have such an unsexy reputation! Thank you showing us that they can be used with attitude… loved this post.

That Ceonothus/Cryptomeria combo makes my mouth water!
.-= Germi´s last blog ..Garden Designers BlogLink: Celebrating Regional Diversity, or – “If You’re Not In The Climate You Love, Love The Climate You’re In !!!” =-.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:39:29 +0000

Gen, I enjoyed reading your post and hearing about your CA native plants. I especially liked your comments about not having to plant all natives, something that many people seem to feel is necessary. I have been using natives in my garden here in CT for years (way before it was fashionable) but I chose them because they thrived in the difficult growing conditions I have in some areas of my garden, not necessarily because they were natives. The fact that they're natives is just a bonus! .-= Debbie´s last blog ..Red Majestic Corylus =-.