I located three plants in my yard. One of the three I purchased locally and planted after learning from the nursery representative that they do well in this area. The second is one I believe the previous homeowners bought and planted. The third seems to be native and something I would love to see gone.
Plant 1- Flowering plum tree/prunus americana
This is a tree that I purchased last year. 10 characteristics: approx. 10 ft. tall, white flowers, scented, flowers grow in clusters, leaves grow in clusters, strong trunk approximately 6 inches in diameter, smooth, brown, sturdy trunk and spade shaped leaves.
These trees do well here because they can tolerate cold weather to as low as -40. From what I read they are pretty hardy and can tolerate different types of soil although they prefer well drained soil. These trees can also tolerate a drought – though I frequently water and have not tested that theory. To support the tree from the Chino Valley winds I have it securely tied to tree stakes offering it support. After having trees snap from the wind I found this is a must out here.
Tulip/Genus Tulipa
These I believe were planted by the previous home owner as
they are in a large planter that surrounds the flag pole. 10 characteristics: 8-10 inches tall, rich
green colored leaves, wider base, taper up to pointy tip, leave feels coated or
waxy, when in bloom have a rich purple flower, die off during the winter,
return when weather warms up, currently half of the tulips are dead, shriveled
up and dried out.
I believe these do well here because they grow well in full
sun, and well drained area. Many of them
are annuals but, some will naturalize.
That seems to be what these ones have done. They have grown back every year. The only thing I do to them on a regular
basis is water them. They were planted
in a rock made planter about ground and I think this helps keep them drained
and avoids rot root.
Goathead/tribulus terristris
This unfortunately is all over my yard and frequently the thorn
it releases gets brought into my house.
Those things bring me to my knees when stepped on. Because it is so prominent in my yard I think
it is native to this area.
10 characteristics: clusters in yard, grow randomly, low to
ground (maybe 2 inches tall), fuzzy, pointy leaves all along sides, usually
have “fruit” that turns into a pointy horned nut let, these get brought into
the house by the dogs feet or shoes, dark green, thorns are sharp and have
popped my kids tires, come back every year.
I think this plant survives so well because it needs to be
pulled out individually in order to kill it.
This is really time consuming.
However, planting a broad based grass can crowd out this plant.
Non-native invasive plants can cause havoc on our
ecosystem. They can overrun the area
destroying and replacing our native plants.
As we saw with the Lake Tahoe video some wildlife could depend on these
native plants and without access to them could die of starvation. They can ruin recreation areas and reduce our
forest health as well.
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/invasives/index.shtml
Thank you.
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