Gifts for Native Gardeners
Gardener’s Corner | Questions and Answers with Local Experts
By Dan Songster, 2012 November
This column is a regular newsletter feature offering chapter members and local experts a chance to briefly share information on many things related to gardening with natives. This issue’s question was “What are your favorite gifts for native gardeners?”
Chuck Wright: “My favorite for the serious gardener would be tools like the ones I use. The best pruner would have to be a Felco, and I would include a small sharpening stone and light weight oil. For a lopper I’ve had great success with the Fiskar. My favorite weeders are screwdrivers, large and small—and a linoleum knife that I have sharpened on all edges. Oh, and a must would have to be a kneepad. Now if they had all that stuff I’d be stumped and I’d go read this column.”
Ron Vanderhoff: “A gift membership to CNPS of course. If they already have that (and who doesn’t), then a membership to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.”
Bob Allen: “A gift certificate to Tree of Life Nursery!”
Orchid Black: “Gift certificates for plants! Seeds! Books! Good gardeners already have tools and gloves.”
Rama Nayeri: “My favorite gift to a native gardener would be a gift certificate to a spa. As a designer I find myself either sitting at the computer way too much (which is hard on the shoulders) or being out in the field placing plants (which becomes challenging on the back). The spa getaway would be a sweet relaxing brief retreat from the daily grind.”
Sarah Jayne: “My gift this year for my favorite native gardener will be the new edition of California’s Wild Gardens (CNPS $34.95). Not only is it an inspiration for the garden, but also a guide to places one needs to visit. Who is my favorite native gardener?—me!”
Dori Ito: “I’m of two minds—on the one hand, the fellowship of native plant lovers is a wonderful thing, nicely facilitated by a gift membership to what else?! CNPS! On the other hand, considering the hardship and heartbreak that some native species put us through in trying to cultivate and nurture them, a good wine can go a long way towards alleviating some of that pain and frustration!”
Dan Songster:
Native plant books signed by the author at one of our events (if possible).
“Oh, and for some reason I always think gardeners should have a nice coffee mug with character, whether they drink coffee or not.”