Who says Southern California is too urbanized for agriculture? Or that these cultures can’t mix? Mike Evans and Jeff Bohn, of Manhattan Beach and the Back Bay, have been farming native California plants east of San Juan Capistrano since 1979. Their surfing heritage is expressed on the back cover of their otherwise staid plant catalog where, via Photoshop, their surfing tractors catch the waves amid the more traditional boarders. It’s “Toes on the nose at Ortega reef,” Mike says atop the front of his John Deere tractor.
Mike and Jeff’s Tree of Life Nursery grows exclusively California native plants. When they nurtured their first cuttings and seedlings 35 years ago, professionals in the landscape business were talking about drought tolerant plants and the need to reduce water use, but few clients cared and there was little interest in native plants. Lawns were the foundation of most landscape designs and India hawthornes were planted by the thousands. Think the landscape of Irvine.
Fred Lang, landscape architect here in Laguna Beach, was a great promoter of California native plants, but when we specified them on plans for clients, they were often difficult to find. Theodore Payne Society in Sun Valley was often the only source. There was a need for a native plants nursery, but developing an awareness of the benefits and desirable qualities of native plants to a broad market was a challenge.
We have been disconnected from our landscape heritage by the predominant use of plants imported from other regions. Mike has spent decades challenging our preconceptions of heavily irrigated landscapes as being the expected look and bringing us back to the aesthetics of native and early California.
“One of the most significant benefits of putting native plants back into the landscape is the authentic sense of place provided to those exposed to them. By surrounding ourselves with landscapes that reflect the true nature of our region, we surround ourselves with the unique character, culture and traditions that make California such a wonderful place to live,” he noted in an early catalog.
The authentic sense of place is the result of low demands on the eco-system. Planting native plants that belong together, that need little supplemental water, is the first step in creating a self-sustaining association of plants and wildlife, and a place where we comfortably fit.
After explaining the “why” of native plants, he had to answer all the practical questions: how to select and design with native plants, when and how to plant them, what to expect as they grow, and how to maintain a native plant garden.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, you are invited to the South Laguna Community Garden to meet Mike Evans and benefit from his insight and knowledge. The garden is located on the corner of Coast Highway and Eagle Rock Way in Laguna Beach. The program begins at 10 a.m. It is free, but please reserve at gardenpark@SouthLaguna.org.
The garden is an urban farm, bringing one aspect of the authentic California life to us surfers, beach goers, artists, techies and urbanites, a setting for growing food and community interrelationships. In addition to the vegetables and fruits, a native plant garden grows, started with plants from Tree of Life in 2011 and supplemented by plants donated for the Jeanie Bernstein Peace Garden in 2013. It is a touch of original California to share with all who garden and visit.
By Ann Christoph
Ann is a landscape architect based in Laguna Beach.
