Christina Varnava, Principal Investigator and Living Collections Curator, SBBG

Few species of California native grasses are commonly available in the ornamental horticultural trade, despite their diversity in the wild, with only 50 of 644 species listed as “commonly available” on the Calscape website (Calscape 2023), as compared to the California Invasive Plant Council’s Inventory (Cal-IPC) which lists 52 species of invasive grasses. Disappointingly, many species in Cal-IPC's inventory are plants that are still
commonly available in the horticultural trade, especially purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). A clear need exists to create more diversity in California native ornamental grasses available to consumers, helping consumers satisfy their aesthetic preferences and also make plant choices that benefit the habitats and wildlife around them.
The proposed project will evaluate best practices to propagate and establish California state listed S2 rare grass Agrostis hooveri (Hoover's bent grass) for introduction to the horticultural trade. The project’s scope of work includes collecting Agrostis hooveri seed from remaining populations in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, discover effective methods of propagation, and establish outplantings at SBBG to evaluate its performance as a native turf replacement for non-native ornamental grasses. The project will also help to conserve a state-listed rare native species.

Sarah Beck, Executive Director, Pacific Horticulture

According to the March 22 U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of California is in drought, with 36.8% in extreme (D3) or exceptional (D4) drought. California residents, gardeners, horticulture, and allied professionals have an existential interest in strengthening our community’s capacity to withstand climate-related hazards including drought. Climate resilient gardening offers solutions.

Pacific Horticulture will exponentially amplify drought resilient gardening through programs and new media channels. By highlighting regional research and connecting gardeners with knowledge and tools they need, the introduction of shade trees, California natives, or other drought-tolerant plants suitable for landscape use in California can build adaptive response.

Pacific Horticulture is uniquely positioned to engage with scientists to interpret and deliver the results of critical horticultural research via accessible science communication channels. Our reach extends to an audience of gardeners, horticulture and allied professionals who reside in California and have a stated interest in native and drought resilient plants and related practices.

Pacific Horticulture builds on a track record of providing resources on the ways drought impacts affecting western ornamental horticulture can be mitigated. Examples include educational articles and videos, live events, Q&A sessions with experts, curated discussion platforms, and regional resources.

Andrea Williams, Director of Biodiversity Initiatives, California
Native Plant Society

As the pace and impacts of climate change accelerates, and drought conditions across the state of California grow more extreme, our state and local governments are now faced with drastic reductions in water use—especially water used in outdoor landscaping. While native plant landscapes require very little supplemental water, and are highly drought-tolerate, they require special care in selection, maintenance, and care—information that is largely unknown or unavailable in the landscape industry. It’s clear that, for more low-water, sustainable native plant gardens and landscapes to thrive in our state, we need better education and trainings for landscape professionals.

To this end, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) will launch our California Native Plant Landscaper Certification Program, a new initiative that will help connect landscape and garden professionals with the skills, experience, and professional accreditation they need to plant, maintain, and care for native plant landscapes. Building on a successful pilot project in Los
Angeles, our team will now launch a Bay Area-focused program in Northern California. In the year ahead, our program will train five (5) sets of 30 landscape and gardening professionals throughout Northern California, two (2) sets in Spanish and three (3) in English. Feedback and experience from this project will guide additional training needs and educational practices.
Professional lists of Certified landscapers will then be made available locally for consumers in need of landscape services.

Leimone Waite, Horticulture Instructor, Shasta College

Shasta College and its surrounding communities in far northern California, have experienced significant drought and massive wildfires that have had significant impacts on plant survival and landscape. Shasta College is proposing to offer four public workshops, free of charge, to residents in collaboration with the Shasta County Master Gardeners (SCMG). Through these workshops, which will be videotaped and made available online for free public access, homeowners will learn practical, long-term solutions to help maintain their existing landscapes and help transition to more sustainable, water-conserving options. Educational workshops will cover best practices in effective irrigation, how to convert existing irrigation systems, how to add graywater systems, lasagna composting, and how to landscape to reduce or mitigate fire hazards.

SCMG volunteers will identify and compile a list of Shasta County climate-appropriate, fire- resistant plants that will be distributed at the workshops, a weekly Farmers Market booth, and will be downloadable at no cost from the SCMG website. All videos and materials will be made available statewide to Master Gardener Groups to share with the public in their counties.