There’s something about longer days and warmer temperatures that brings out the inner gardener in people. Even those with a “brown thumb” begin to envision lush, green yards with rich foliage and beautiful colors. Spring just seems to make people want to dig holes and add beauty to their environment.
Many residents enjoy planting colorful new flowers each spring, whether in the ground or in containers, to beautify walkways or porches. Others feel that their yard needs a little uplift by pruning and sprucing up. Maybe the need is to replace plants that are just looking a bit worn or to fill in bare areas. How about planting a vegetable garden?
New homeowners may want to make the landscaping “their own” by taking out present plants and replacing them with something that suits them rather than previous owners. There are even several brand new homes in the community that will need entire yards landscaped. Whatever the reason, planting new foliage is a great way to welcome spring!
One reason Canyon Lake is so lush and beautiful is that homeowners are required by the Property Owners Association to maintain landscaping in a “neat, clean and attractive condition.” It is important to remember that there are certain guidelines that homeowners must adhere to when landscaping. Softscape (flowers, grass, bushes and trees) is generally at the homeowner’s discretion, although there are some rules with regard to tree location. Because some hardscape (raised planters, walls and walkways) must be approved, it is best to check with the Planning and Compliance Department prior to beginning the project. The CCRs with regard to landscaping can be found in the Architectural Guidelines, “Section VII – Landscaping” and can be viewed at canyonlakepoa.com.
There are several considerations to be made before heading out to the nursery. Experts recommend a walk around the areas to plant to observe the type of soil, terrain, sunlight and water availability. Remember to factor seasonal changes regarding sun position and amount of daylight. Take soil samples and draw a diagram to bring with you.
• Consider irrigation. Think about sprinklers currently in place and what will need to be added or changed. How much hand-watering will be necessary.
• What about sun and shade? Different plants have different light requirements. Many types of plants cannot tolerate the hot summer sun in Canyon Lake and will burn or die. The direction a yard faces will factor in the amount and intensity of sunlight plants will receive. It’s important to note how the angle and amount of sun throughout the seasons will affect plants. A west-facing yard will get the most intense afternoon sun and heat during the summer months. A north-facing yard may get very little sunlight during winter.
• When choosing new plants, water conservation is important. The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is asking that residents conserve water this summer. Their website (evmwd.com) has a list of drought tolerant plants and water-saving tips for Canyon Lakers.
• It is very important to know what type of soil the plants will be going in. Most of Canyon Lake is made up of clay and rock, which is difficult to dig and not ideal for plant nutrition.
After a layout is decided, the soil must be treated to best accommodate new plants and acclimate them to their new location. Different plants require different types of fertilizers and/or organic matter (such as peat moss), so it’s best to refer to experts for the proper choices. It’s also important to keep ground water from escaping too quickly. There are several options including mulch, rocks or wood chips.
• With the vastly different terrains within the community, it’s important to think about drainage, especially on hillsides (which may drain too much) or flat yards (which may pool and not drain at all).
• Where to purchase plants is another decision. Local nurseries will have plants that are already acclimated to the area. Nurseries will usually have a larger and better selection than the big box stores, but may not have as good a return/exchange policies. Home Depot and Lowe’s will exchange plants for up to a year. Be sure to ask.
Choosing plants
Finally, the fun part – choosing the plants. The options are endless. Many people enjoy a tropical look, especially in a lake community. However, in an area that is considered desert, the best choices aren’t always obvious or clearcut. Canyon Lake summer days are dry and often over 100 degrees with intense sunlight. Winters are mostly dry and nighttime temperatures can occasionally drop to below freezing. The ground in the community is made up of mostly clay or rock, so conditions are not perfect.
When making decisions about landscaping, there are a few questions that need to be answered first. What is the “feeling” to be portrayed by the yard. It’s best to create some sort of uniformity in landscaping. Does a dessert yucca tree work well next to a tropical banana tree? Think about the views from the street, walkway, driveway and even from inside the home.
Most experts recommend that the tallest shrubs be placed to the back or up against the house, with the smallest to the front or near walkways. It’s usually preferable for the eye to travel to the rear and have all plants in sight.
A good way to decide is to take a drive around the community and see what other residents have done. See what is thriving. Take pictures of favorites and show them as examples to nursery representatives.
Trees that are popular in Canyon Lake include Queen and Banana Palms for a tropical look, and Willow, Pepper and Crape Myrtle for a more classic country garden feeling. Bushes and/or shrubs that do well include Robellini palms, Hibiscus, Manzanita and Deer Grass. Bougainvillea, Schefflera, Philodendron and Asparagus ferns are also popular and do well. Bamboo does well in the community but must be monitored carefully or it can get out of control and spread rapidly.
For a little color, try California Poppies, Cleveland Sage, Gazanias, English Lavender, Lilac, Monkey Flowers and Daylillies. Rose bushes seem to do especially well in Canyon Lake. Although these are popular in Canyon Lake, the list of options is long, so it’s wise to research before making a final decision.
Many plants do well in pots. The advantage is they can be moved as necessary for temperature, sunlight or to create an atmosphere. They can also be brought indoors.
Spring is here. It’s the best time to plant, so make good decisions and have fun getting dirty, Then step back to admire the beauty of nature and a job well done!
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