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Caution
Once again
Mother Nature surprises us with something new. California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection, has announced a new plant growing in
the burned areas from the 2003 and 2007 fires.
Turricula
parryi or Poodle-dog bush as named is a purple flowering plant. It is
very common to appear after fires. But, even with it's nice appearance
it should be avoided just like you would with poison oak.
Touching
this plant will cause severe to moderate dermititis in some people.
Symptoms include blistering of the skin, itchy irritated skin, and
swelling. Pain is not experienced at the time of contact. Stay aware
while walking though areas that have been burned.
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Did you
Know...
97 % of all water in the
world is in the ocean. Of the remaining 3% which is fresh water, 69% is
in glaciers and ice caps , mainly Greenland and Antarctica, and the
rest being groundwater.
Of all the world's water
only .3% is contained in rivers and lakes, which is where most of the
water we use exists. Fresh water is a resource to be protected and
preserved. There are many ways you can help preserve our water. Ask
your contractor to walk with you and point any areas or sprinklers that
may be replaced, Your contractor should be able to give recomendations
for upgrading certain parts of your irrigations sytem that could save
you water and money.
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 Golden Jackpot Bougainvillea
Golden Jackpot Bougainvillea has the
same intense purple flower bract, but features a new color of foliage.
Giving a beautiful contrast between their yellow to golden foliage and
their flowers. Dark purple flowers that
bloom from summer through fall.
It is great in patio containers, as
seasonal color, or groundcover in shady spots. Regular water during
the first growing season and can be reduced after establishment. Only
occasional water after establishment. Full sun and heat tolerant.
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Myoporum Thrips
Myoporum, having special
characteristics such as their aesthetic beauty, minimal management
needs, and their low water requirement, have been one of the most
popular groundcover and trees in Southern California. However, in
2005 a new pest was spotted in the Myoporums of different places in
California. This new pest is an exotic species of thrips that were
named Klambothrips Myopori.
Thrips are small shiny brown to dark
brown bugs. They have a long posterior tube body with wings. It causes
great damage to Myoporum by feeding on the foliage. The damage is
characterized by gall-like symptoms and distortion of new leaves. If
heavy infestation occurs it could retard the growth, cause defoliation,
and even result in plant death.
Because, the pest has recently been
noticed, little is known of them. Control of these thrips has not yet
been established, however the use of certain insecticides may help.
Trials have been made to find a treatment.
More
Information...
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Using
Natives and Safety Fire Plants
With the water restrictions that are
coming our way, we should all be thinking of water friendly
landscapes. Many people oppose to having natives in the landscape.
When asked why, the answer is that they are not fire friendly. The fact
is that any plant can be fire fuel when not maintained the right way.
Utilizing proper techniques in the
landscape, such as pruning, planting, and cleaning, helps tremendously
to reduce fire problems and can even help save the property in such an
event. Knowing the right techniques and plants, you can help your
landscape be water friendly and fire safe. Here are some tips that can
help and a list of water friendly plants that can be used.
-Eliminate small plants growing under
trees.
-Place shrubs at least 20 ft away from
structures and make sure that they are being pruned regularly.
-Plant drought-tolerant vegetation
within 3ft of structures.
-Provide at least a 10 to 15 foot
separation between islands of shrubs and plant groups.
-Maintain a well pruned landscape.
-Keep plants green during the dry
season. Natives can stay green during these seasons with minimal water
use.
-Trim native grasses on a regular basis.
-Prune trees 6 to 10 feet from the
ground.
-Remove dead and overhanging branches.
Fire
Safety Plants
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