January 31, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
These attractive, hardy shrubs can be drought-resistant
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL Westringia Wynyabbie Gem, Manzinita Wayside and Rhaphiolepis Pink Lady are three of the toughest mediumsized shrubs around town. Each of these bushes are evergreen, they reach four- to six-feet tall , are absolutely drought tolerant and have showy flowers or foliage. They are perfect shrubs for our Clayton Valley soil, heat and water situation. Manzinita Wayside has a round growth habit. It is expected to grow slightly wider than tall in the landscape as it slowly matures. The famous red bark peaks through the dense, oval shaped olive green leaves. In spring Manzinita Wayside hosts
the familiar whitish-pink blossom that Clayton Valley residents have become so fond of. Another attribute worth mentioning is the summer’s new growth. As the new leaves emerge they are a bright copper color. This leaf color provides bold contrast to the other leaves and flowers of the summer’s landscape. Manzinita Wayside can be utilized in challenging landscape situations. It can tolerate the rough conditions of steep hillsides and fence lines. Plant this native now. When installing take care to dig a wide rather than deep hole. This is a gardening rule when planting in clay soil. Use a bit of soil conditioner at the time of planting. Avoid using water-retaining potting soils, or soils with built in fertilizers. Rhaphiolepis is a huge, very hardy, familiar plant that you probably already know of. The common name for this shrub is Hawthorn. Rhaphiolepis has been around for decades and still is extremely desirable, featuring evergreen, oval-shaped leaves on woody stems. During
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UTOPIC GARDENS
the spring simple pink flowers are born in clusters. These flowers are followed by reddishcolored new foliage and in fall attractive berries sit where the flowers once were. Rhaphiolepis Pink Lady is a larger growing variety of Hawthorns. The shrub grows in a vase shape fashion and would one day neatly cover a fence line without a lot of maintenance. Westringia Wynyabbie Gem has been talked about many times before. When a particular shrub is so hardy and drought tolerant, you can’t help but keep taking about it, especially considering our current water situation. This shrub’s arms of tiny, gray leaves give a fern-like appearance in the landscape. Westringia Wynyabbie Gem did suffer minor tip-burn in the freezes of early December but it quickly recovered with the rest of the month’s warm days. Now the shrub is back in bloom and is a stand-out within the landscape. Once you take your droughttolerant plants home install
MAXIMIZE!
immediately. If you can’t get to them, or your waiting for your weekly service to plant them, make sure they are watered every few days while they wait. Do not install a distressed drought-tolerant plant. Thoroughly water your droughttolerant installations after planting by hand a few times to build up the water table in the ground. There are wonderful shrubs, trees and perennials that we can grow that tolerate and thrive during this unique weather year. We can change our outlook of landscapes altogether and embrace these challenges. Together we can continue to make our neighborhoods beautiful, responsibly Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contact her with questions or comments at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
925-524-0055 CREATIVE DESIGN & INSTALLATION
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What’s white, purple, red? Carrots, of course DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Contrary to popular belief, carrots don’t just come in orange. This common root vegetable is available in a wide variety of colors, from white to red to almost purple-black. The unusually pigmented carrots have flavors that can accommodate many tastes. According to the USDA, yellow carrots contain xanthophylls, a substance that supports vision and lowers lung cancer risks. Red carrots contain lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease and some cancers, including prostate cancer. Purple carrots contain anthocyanins, pigments that act as powerful antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals.
Anthocyanins also regulate blood clotting, a helpful factor in preventing heart disease. White carrots lack pigment, but may contain other health-promoting phytochemicals. “Orange” carrots should be a bright orange to an orange-red in color with a bright green top unless the carrots are purchased packaged in a plastic bag. The deeper the color, the more betacarotene contained in the carrot. The bright green tops don’t guarantee a fresher carrot. Before storing carrots, remove their green tops, rinse, drain, and put the carrots in plastic bags and store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator with the highest humidity. They’ll last several months this way. To keep the carrots crisp and colorful add a little bit of water in the bottom of the plastic storage bag; this will keep the carrots hydrated.
Carrots should be stored away from fruits such as apples and pears, which release the ethylene gas that cause carrots to become bitter. ROASTED WHOLE BABY CARROTS WITH HONEY AND ROSEMARY 2 pounds whole baby carrots in as many colors as possible 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 to 4 Tbsp. honey 3 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking pan with foil. Cut all but 1/4-inch of greens off of the carrots. Thoroughly scrub the carrots. (Peel if you wish, but they have a more rustic look with the skins left on, as well as more vitamins.) Arrange the carrots in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and roll to coat. Place in the oven to roast until tender when pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and season generous-
Swim Team Registration March 12 or April 11 6:30 -8 p.m. Early Registration before Mar. 12 receives $55 OFF TOTAL COST Practices begin the week of April 28 For more information please visit
www.oakhurstorcas.com or Oakhurst Country Club For other questions please e-mail Head Coach Jasmine Millan at swimcoach@oakhurstcc.com
ly with salt and pepper. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with rosemary. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Owners Dustin & Kim Waraner Contractors Lic #879423 Arborist Lic WE-7372A