Marina Library Planting

Marina Library Plant List

Marina Library Landscape Project is growing!

The planting at the Marina Library had several challenges specific to the site. These issues included no working irrigation, poor soil and deep building shade. For these reasons it was important to improve the soil, select Native plants that would be able to tolerate deep shade, and, work with the city to replace the irrigation, before any planting began

This list reflects the combined plant knowledge of club members Donna Hardy, Grace Silva-Santella and Juli Hofmann with discussions across a kitchen table to find consensus on hardy perennials that would do well in the library building shade and Marina climate.

Library Landscape Plant List – downloadable pdf here

Marina Library Planting List 2024Download
Shade loving plants found along the library building

This list include plants that can tolerate deep shade. Look for the asterisk* that denotes deep shade. The rest of the plants are best in partial shade that might be found under trees or where some periods of direct sun will reach plants.

  • Berberis aquifolium – Oregon Grape *
    (some nurseries still use the older genus Mahonia)
  • Fragaria chiloensis – Wild Strawberry
  • Holodiscus discolor – Ocean Spray *
  • Heuchera maxima – Island Alum Root
  • Ribes sanguineum ‘Claremont’ – Red Flowering Currant
  • Ribes viburnifolium – Catalina Currant *
  • Vaccinium ovatum – ‘Native Star’ – Huckleberry
polypody scouleri
Hardy Leatherleaf fern
Hardy Ferns in the shade – evergreen

Have a dark spot that needs a bit of green? These selected ferns are some of the toughest and reliable for our climate. Please note that ferns thrive best in with lots of organic matter added to the sandy soil. Look for soil amendments that have ingredients such as redwood bark, fir bark, composted tree fines and/or mushroom compost. Avoid amendments with lots of manures as this is not what makes ferns happy. Try and mimic conditions found in old forests that have lots of decaying organic duff and don’t forget to top dress with lots of aged mulch. And don’t forget that they will need good watering for the first two years to get established.

  • Blechnum spicant – Deer tongue fern
  • Polypodium scouleri ’KT Ridge’ – Leatherleaf fern
  • Woodwardia fimbriata – Giant Chain fern
Flag Pole Planting

The planting around the Library flagpole is a full sun location until late afternoon/early evening when building shade stretches across from the west in the wintertime. There are enough hours of sunlight to plant full sun plants in this location. A mound was built to add interest and to deter foot traffic across the planting. The mound features some unique plants that could be used in more gardens. Island Snapdragon is an incredibly hardy plant in Marina. The scarlet red flowers provide rich nectar that Hummingbirds adore. The Channel Islands Tree Poppy has stunning blue green foliage and cheery yellow flowers. It is tricky to get established and a challenge to find in the average nurseries but worth the chase at specialty native plant nurseries and plant sales.

  • Dendromecon harfordii – Channel Islands Tree Poppy
  • Gambelia speciosa ‘Firecracker’ – Island Snapdragon
    (some nurseries still use the older genus Galvezia)
  • Eriogonum – Buckwheats
  • Lotus scoparius – Common Deer Weed
  • Clinopodium douglasii – Yerba Buena
Along the Library sides

Several coffee berry were added along the library building in the path leading to the Oak Woodlands Restoration garden. This created a transition from the more formal landscape planting around the library to the wilder planting around the oaks. Coffee berries are a very good choice as a hardy low maintenance shrub that does not need much water or care after establishing. They can be found growing in Fort Ord sand with no assistance at all. ‘San Bruno mound’ coffee berry were chosen for their lower height to plant under the library windows. Other cultivars can get quite tall!

On the administrative offices side of the library building by the gate, Matilija Poppy, Island Snap Dragon and Pacific Coast Iris were planted. The Matilija poppy should – over time – cover the fence and add height and beauty with its large distinctive “fried egg” flowers.

  • Iris douglasiana – Pacific Coast Iris
  • Frangula californica ‘Mound San Bruno’ – coffeeberry
    (some nurseries still use the older genus Rhamnus)
  • Gambelia speciosa ‘Firecracker’ – Island Snapdragon
    (some nurseries still use the older genus Galvezia)
  • Romneya coulteri – Matilija Poppy
Where to find Native Plants?

No promises but the annual Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society offer many hard to find native plants. These sales typically happen in the fall which coincides with the best time of year to plant California natives. Check with native plant nurseries that specialize in native plants such as local Carmel Valley Blue Moon Native Garden and Regan Biologic Nursery.

CalScape is an incredible resource for finding information including nurseries that may be carrying specific plants. Stock availability is often seasonal.
Calscape.org

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