| Printable Map of the Garden |
| California Native Plants Garden |
| Directions From I-5, go west on Oceanside Blvd. to Coast Hwy. Turn right (north) and go to Wisconsin St. Turn right (east). You will pass the school on your right. The garden is beside the Preschool play area. |
| What is in the garden? The garden comprises three distinct habitats: Coastal Sage Scrub, Beach, and Riparian (dry stream bed). Beach Evening Primrose Big Mesa Sage Salvia Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bellium Bush Sunflower Encelia californica California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum California Fuschia Zauchneria Californica Mexicana California Fuschia Zauchneria septentrionalis California Lilac Ceanothus arboreus Cattails Checker Mallow Sidalcea malveflora Checkers Sidalcea neomexicana Cleveland Sage Salvia Clevelandii Coreopsis (Sea Dahlia) Coreopsis giganteum Coyote Bush Baccharis pilularis consanguinea Deer Grass Muhlenbergia rigens Hooker's Primrose Iris Iris douglasiana Lady Fingers Dudleya edulis Live Forever Dudleya pulverulenta Mallow Malacothamnus fasciculatus Manzanita Arctostphylus densiflora "Harmony" Matilija Poppy Romneya Coulteri Mule Fat Rush Sagebrush Artemisia californica "Canyon Grey" Sagebrush (taller) Artemisia californica Saltbush Sedge Toyon (Hollywood Berry) Heteromeles arbutifolia |
| Dedicated April 27, 2001 |
| What is a Native Plant Garden? Coastal hillsides are covered with plants that some people call weeds. Anyone who comes to know the different plants soon finds a vast number of species. San Diego Coastal Sage Scrub rivals the rainforest for the diversity of plant and animal life! Our native plant garden is a small scale habitat that will increase our understanding of the world as we observe the web of life in action. The Torrey Pines reserve is a good reference for the types of plants we are using. Native plants are those plants that have evolved here, not those introduced by man. When a plant has been introduced within a fe hundred years, the necessary adaptations don't have time to occur. Often native species are lost as the new plant takes over. Pampas grass is an example of an introduced plant. It does not provide food or shelter and has destroyed native areas. |
| Isn't it hard to maintain? Native plant gardens are much easier to maintain than ornamental gardens, once you understand them. Our garden is entirely organic. We do not use fertilizers or weed spray, because chemicals will kill native plants. The plants naturally reseed, too. Watering is done once a month, with supervision, except during the dry season, which is the worst time to water. If native plants are watered in the late summer, the dormant season is interrupted and harmful bugs and microbes continue to multiply. We will not water during August! The growing season starts with the rains in October. Weeding out unwanted plants is done periodically with supervision. We prune twice a year in January and in September. |
| How does the school use the garden? Pre-schoolers are natural scientists. If they are playing near the fence, they get the opportunity to observe butterflies and other insects as pollination occurs. Flowers turn into seeds and birds visit to eat the berries. (The berries taste bad but are ok.) The K-8 school classes come out periodically to observe the life cycle of plants and insects. Experiments can be run on pollination, seed propagation, soil composition, etc. Research projects may result in signs showing the seasons, life cycle, or interesting facts about the plants. Web resources will be accessed via computer, and the library may expand with reports or books on the subject. |
| Ways you can help Enjoy: Come sit on the patio and pass the time observing nature. Donations: Check with the school office for a list of needs, such as books about habitats and plants. Gather Seeds: Check with us to find out good times to collect seeds, then try planting them at home. Weeding: Check with the school to find out when and what to weed. Watering: Done only as needed (monthly or less frequently), so check with the school for scheduling. Pruning: Done in January and September. Check with the school for the specific date. |
| Preschool: Home Admission Goals Philosophy Program Staff Garden News |
| Copyright 2004 St. Mary, Star of the Sea School |
| Recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Schoolyard Habitat Learning Site! |
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