The Chaparral Blog
Basil, my Border Collie introduces you to the chaparral in bloom
The chaparral is an area where summers are hot and dry and winters offer cool temperatures, rain and sometimes blustery winds. The chaparral biome only exists in places like parts of the Mediterranean, Australia, Africa, Chile and California. Most purists consider the true chaparral is the area confined exclusively to California where humidity remains low, the climate is Mediterranean-like, and wildfires are part of the natural growth cycle on a 50 – 150 year basis (way less frequently than is seen today due to the help of mankind). Slightly inland where ocean influence is reduced, the chaparral is a place of daily wide temperature swings and lean soils, though soil composition can vary. Romantically associated with the old cowboy movies, living in the chaparral has its beauty, but it also can be a challenge for the gardener.
I live, design and cultivate gardens in the northern part of Los Angeles County at an altitude of about 2000 feet. It is true chaparral and may even qualify for the title of the 1960′s television show, ‘The High Chaparral’. When I look out my back window, I see a bluff that conjures up a stand of cowboys or Indians silhouetted on the crest. The hillsides are usually some shade of olive or brown, but can burst into flows of brilliant, flowering color and rich green in the late winter or early spring. Plants that grow here are well adapted to harsh extremes, yet in the midst of toughness can grow delicate beauty.
The successful chaparral gardener will work with the natural environment, designing well so the landscape looks splendid even when plants are resting. There are plants that grow all over the world that can adapt to the chaparral environment and mix with natives to provide exciting color, texture and growth year round. And most of the chaparral does not freeze hard so you can grow edibles in every season.
These are some of my meanderings and experiences growing and designing in the chaparral area of Southern California.
What is the ‘chaparral’, anyway?
California chaparral native plants: Five Spot Flower, Four O’Clock, Wild Cucumber, California Poppy, California Wildflowers.
Rodent Pests in the Chaparral Garden
Showy Drought-tolerant Chaparral Flower Photos
4 Responses to The Chaparral Blog
Leave a Reply
Jane, my husband and I have bought property in Lake County over looking Clear Lake. We are planning on building a home there within the next three years. The land is full of oaks and brush, buckeyes–shoes are full of burrs after a walk. I have been looking for material regarding any kind of gardening in an area such as this. Wanting to keep the area true to itself, but also wish to have a veggie garden as well as flowers, etc. Will enjoy checking out your blog.
Sounds delightful! You should be able to do lots of gardening there. Enjoy.
Jane, found your website here because I saw the photo of your beautiful pup Basil in the field surrounded by all the fire-following wildflowers! What a wonderful blog you have here. Best of luck to you in your efforts to spread the word about native plants and the wisdom of using them in landscaping! We’ll post a link to this on the California Chaparral Institute’s Facebook page
Thank you, Rick. And I really appreciate the link to such a wonderful site as yours.