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Point of View
with
Employee Owner
Vilma Galvez
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***
"I've been at Gardeners' Guild for nine years! I work on our sites in San Francisco. The people and the organization are great. There is very good communication between us."
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Vilma is a hard worker who puts her heart into everything she does. She is dedicated, shows ownership and takes pride no matter the task.
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Gardeners' Guild is a
Certified Green Roof
Installer!
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As part of our green roof installation, Gardeners' Guild was certified.
This certification applies for both maintenance and installation.
It includes installation of plants, soil, drainage and irrigation.
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 | See the video on our sustainable program!
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How to tell of your soil has good drainage.
 Dig a hole about one foot deep and wide. Fill your hole to the rim with water and allow the water to drain out completely.
Return once it's drained and refill with water to the top. Observe the time it takes to drain.
If the water takes more than one hour to disappear then drainage is poor. It usually means you have clay.
If the water soaks in within the first few minutes drainage is too fast.
The solution for both of the above is organic amendments.
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Just in case you were wondering about the potential for an El Niņo winter I have some news for you. Federal climatologists say it is more likely that the pattern will develop in the Pacific Ocean this summer.
In fact, the latest report from the NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) Prediction Center states that the chances are 65% that we will experience a surface warming of the Pacific Ocean (a hallmark of El Niņo).
Although our state's wettest weather usually coincides with this system, scientists warn that El Niņo does not guarantee heavy precipitation.
Since our drought conditions will remain until we actually see evidence to the contrary, we decided to highlight some favorite (and pretty!) hardy, low maintenance and drought tolerant plants with additional details like soil and light requirements.
All the best,
 Gardeners' Guild Inc.
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Drought Tolerant Perennials
Light: Full Sun
Soil Type: Not particular
Deer Resistance: Rarely damaged
Yarrow
Achillea 'Moonshine'
This plant attracts beneficial insects, bees, butterflies and other insects. It is low maintenance, has showy flowers that can be dried and its leaves are aromatic when crushed.
It grows from 1.5'-3' high.
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Light: Full Sun
Soil Type: Not particular
Deer Resistance: Rarely damaged
Lantana Camara (trailing)
Comes in pink, purple, yellow, red and orange. Blooms in summer and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Lantana is also low maintenance and has showy flowers. They are also good for slopes and other hot, dry areas. Keep them deadheaded and they will bloom through the summer and beyond.
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Light: Full Sun
Soil Type: Not particular
Deer Resistance: Rarely damaged
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise'
Like a burst of sunshine in the garden, Coreopsis yellow flowers bloom from spring through fall. Deadhead spent blooms and buds just reappear like magic. They are hardy, low maintenance and attract beneficial insects and Butterflies. It does like good drainage. Stems are 12-18" in height. They also come in colors other than yellow including: pumpkin orange pink, red and some with chartreuse centers.
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Light: Full or Partial shade*
Soil Type: Loam
Deer Resistance: Rarely damaged
Echinacea purpurea
They come in bright pink, yellow or salmon-orange. Low maintenance, they attract beneficial insects and are a nectar source for bees and butterflies. They also like well draining soil. Primary maintenance for this plant, also called coneflower, is deadheading.
*Sun requirements vary depending on the source. Many say full sun, so keep that in mind.
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Light: Full or Partial shade or shade
Soil Type: Not particular
Deer Resistance: Ocassionally damaged*
Lavender Trumpet Vine
Clytostoma Callistegiodes
This vine is great along a wall or fence. Trumpet vines grow 3" delicate lavender trumpet shaped flowers and like good drainage. They hang down to give a waterfall or curtain effect. They flower from late spring through fall. Prune in winter. They can grow 15-25'.
*I grow them and deer has never bothered.
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About Pyrophytic vs. Fire Resistant Plants
Pyrophytic Plants ignite readily, burn intensely and have these characteristics:
- Blade-leaf or needle-leaf evergreens
- Stiff, woody, small or lacey leaves
- Leaves and wood have volatile waxes, fats, or oils
- Sap usually is gummy and resinous
- May have loose or papery bark
Fire-resistant Plants are:
- Broad leaf deciduous
- Supple, moist and easily crushed
- Have little dead wood
For more information
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