All-Stars
All Stars Garden
Objectives and Design
This garden includes a variety of some of the UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars from ground covers to shrubs and trees that have low water needs and like full sun. All-Stars were determined, through trial tests by UC Davis, to be reliable plants with few diseases or pest problems if grown in California. Additionally, they support native birds and insects. Some All–Stars in this garden will be trial tested to determine their suitability for our climate zone.
The UC Davis All-Stars are low maintenance, easy to grow plants that remain attractive for most of the year, with medium to low water needs. Some of the key plants in this garden are: trees such as the Washington Hawthorne and Arbutus Marina; shrubs in the ceanothus and manzanita’s families, and ground cover including the Santa Barbara daisy. A group of California Natives that require very little watering once established are a part of the All-Star Garden. The All-Star Garden has no shade, at this time so it won’t include some of the All Stars that would thrive in our zones.
Environmental benefits of using All-Stars in your garden include: reduce water use, reduce carbon emissions from power equipment (lawn mowers, less trimming/green waste), reduced chemical run off as they need no fertilizers or pesticides, and they support native birds and pollinators. There is a diversity of plants within this category which encourages diversity within ecosystems (bird and insect habitats).
What's New!
As plants mature, less water is needed. After only 2 years, we can reduce watering by 50%. Current usage is: 130 gal./week. 1 day x 2 cycles x 15 min. ea
