We’re at it again.  If you haven’t seen our new bumper stickers, be sure to pick one up on your next visit out to the nursery.  We think they’re fun, and we hope you think so too.

If you want to take the bold and ecologically responsible step of replacing your lawn with natives, we’d love to help you out.

Many people can get overwhelmed with the tips and tidbits mentioned about how to go about converting their ‘landscape’, (usually lawn…) into a native plant oasis.  At Tree of Life Nursery, we are passionate about providing the tools necessary to help you continue native plant projects with confidence.  Take a look at the wealth of information already available through our website.

We’ve broken it down into two categories… Plant Selection Help and Installation/ Maintenance Help

The Re-Specifier – Lists “tired” landscaping “standard” shrubs with less needy and more attractive native plant counterparts.
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/imagination/planning_respecifier.html

Calendar of Color – Native plants organized by blooming season for year-round color
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/imagination/color.html

The California Garden – Eight themed garden ideas with accompanying plant lists
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Misc/Cal_Gdn_Hdout.pdf

Plant Profiles - Descriptions for individual species and varieties with color pictures… a valuable reference for professional designers and enthusiastic homeowners
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/information/profiles.html

Building a Habitat?

Natives for Hummingbirds
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/Hummingbirds.pdf

Natives for Butterflies
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/Butterflies.pdf

Natives for Songbirds
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/Songbirds.pdf

Creating a Pollinator Garden
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/Pollinator_Gardens.pdf

Start here if you haven't already read this... our Sage Advice guide to no-lawn yard installation
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/SA-non_lawn_front_yard.pdf

The Basic 1-2-3 on Soils for Natives –
Pay close attention to your soil conditions before you plant!
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/1-2-3_Soils.pdf

Planting Guide – Complete with diagram, installation technique for native plants.
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/imagination/planning_planting.html

October Planting Season – The ideal planting period for native plants is fall through spring.  Get some advice on making your project successful!
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/October_Planting.pdf

Watering Tips

How to Water Your Native Plants
http://www.treeoflifenursery.com/main/PDFs/Sage-Advice/Water.pdf

There are many more resources available on the web to help you in your planning if you are considering a switch to a more viable and gratifying landscape.  In addition to the Internet, there are many books on the topic, which will give you even more information and images. 

 We invite you to visit our nursery.  Though the hours we are open to the public are limited, our bookstore and staff are not!  Come and see the over five hundred titles about California we carry in our retail center, Casa ‘La Paz’.  The best part is, you can actually talk to our friendly employees and see the plants you might be considering for your landscape in one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces remaining in Orange County, (not that we’re biased at all!).  We hope to see you soon.