Natives reap rewards of winter rains

GARDENERS WILL find it much easier to dig and plant now that we’ve had a deep, soaking rain. And there is no shortage of things to plant, since November is one of the best months, especially for those drought-tolerant things that do so well in our climate, including our own native plants.

You can sow a new lawn (sod can be installed anytime) and plant ground covers, perennials (including ornamental grasses), shrubs or even trees. You might wait for spring to plant especially frost-tender things such as bougainvillea or hibiscus; roses and deciduous fruit trees are more available in January.

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California natives

While this may be an excellent time to plant many things, it could be said that late fall and early winter are the only time to plant California lilac, manzanita, sage, even yuccas. Planted at other times, these natives are unlikely to survive for long because they need winter’s gentle rains (and your irrigation if rains do not materialize).

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Sun and shade

When deciding where to plant spring-blooming annuals, bulbs and veggies, consider that shadows are about to double in length, which will flood some areas under trees with light (a favorite place for sensitive spring bulbs such as tulips), while completely shading areas that are normally sunny. You might be able to grow things under trees that normally would not get enough light but you also need to be careful not to plant sun-loving annuals such as calendulas, Iceland poppies and pansies in places that will be too shady.

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Dig and cut

Tuberous begonias and dinner plate dahlias will probably rot if left in the ground. So carefully dig up tubers and store them in a cool, dark place until spring. Dig and divide perennials such as agapanthus, alstroemeria, daylily, true geranium, lamb’s ear, prunella and other plants that grow as a spreading clump of stems. Dividing perennials keeps them young and attractive and controls their size.

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Fall foliage

Trees begin to turn this month and in early December. The colors are best inland where the nighttime temperatures are the nippiest, but some trees color up well even near the coast, including ginkgo and liquidambar. Where it’s colder -- in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, for instance -- you’ll see decent reds and oranges on sour gums and sapium, as well as the yellows and gold of Modesto ash, poplar and zelkova. If you shop for these trees while they are in color at nurseries, you will be sure of what you are planting.

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Start a pile

When leaves begin to fall, put them in a compost pile. Make one from a circle of wire fencing or purchase a plastic bin. Homemade compost works as a soil amendment and a fertilizer, making soils much more manageable, fertile and productive.