As you are reworking parts of your garden consider lovely landscape additions that are a bit less thirsty. In addition to our own California natives there are many “Mediterranean” plants that hail from far away places that too are particularly suited to our mild wet winters and mostly rainless summer dry climate. Native plants from around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa and parts of Australia are all part of this wonderfully diverse plant palate for us to build our unthirsty landscapes with.  

All newly planted plants will require a extra TLC (they come home as babies!) to get established but when their roots are deep enough they become very water-wise. Remember to water your plants in their container thoroughly when you take them home. Dipping them in a 5 gallon pail of water works too. 

Here are some lovely Water-Wise options:

Low growing plants including many colorful succulents           

Colorful Perennials/Succulents           

Medium Height Shrubs

Large Shrubs/Perennials

Vines

Soil Moist
Soil Moist is a polymer that was developed in the early ’70s. It is an amazing product that will cut your water use in half if you incorporate it into your potting soil in a pot or in the ground; remarkable stuff. For plants already planted, take a pencil or chop stick and poke holes in the soil around the plant. Then carefully sprinkle just a little bit in each hole. Use the pencil or chopstick to help direct the dry polymer deeper into the soil. Too much and you will end up with “jello” like material oozing out of the ground.

EZ-Wet
EZ-Wet actually breaks the surface tension of water and allows it to penetrate our heavy clay soil rather than allowing water to run off. We are saving that water and giving extra to the plant.

Gypsum
Gypsum is a really a great addition to salty, heavy clay soil.  It can relax the soil, allowing it to absorb moisture a little more willingly as it will release the salts.

Shutoff Valve
Any kind of watering device that has a shutoff is really helpful so you can focus your watering, rather than doing wide spray type watering. If you have a shutoff, you can go from plant to plant and turn your water off between plants.

Please note that availability is subject to change and this list does not represent stock on hand – we sell out very quickly so if you see something you want, hurry in!

Tomato
Ace
Alice’s Dream
Amy’s Sugar Gem
Beef Master
Beef Steak
Berkeley Tie Dyed
Better Boy
Big Beef
Big Rainbow
Black Beauty
Black Cherry
Black Krim
Black Zebra
Brad’s Atomic Grape
Brandywine Red
Brandywine Sudduth’s Pink
Brandywine Yellow
Carbon
Celebrity
Champion
Cherokee Purple
Chocolate Sprinkles
Copia Striped
Costulato Genovese
Dr. Wyche’s Yellow
Early Girl
Green Zebra
Hybrid Cherokee Carbon
Hybrid Genuwine
Hybrid Perfect Flame
Indigo Blue Berries
Indigo Cherry Drops
Indigo Rose
Jetsetter
Juliet
Kellogs Breakfast
Kuzco
Midnight Snack
Pear Red
Pineapple
Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye
Premio
Purple Zebra
Red Husky Cherry
Roma
San Francisco Fog
San Marzano
San Marzano Redorta
Solar Falre
Stupice
Sugar Rush
Sun Gold
Sun Sugar
Sun Sugar
Sungold
Sweet 100
Sweet Baby Girl
Vintage Wine
Watermelon Sugar Baby
Whopping Red
Yellow Pear

Tomatillo
Cisneros
De Milpa
Purple
Verde Puebla

Pepper
Anaheim
Calabrian
Carolina Reaper
Cascabella
Chile De Arbol
Chiltepin
Chipolte
Fresno
Ghost Chocolate
Golden Bell
Guajillo
Gypsy
Habanero
Hatch Green
Italian Long
Italian Roaster
Jalepeno
Jalepeno Purple
Jalepeno Sweet Poppers
Jimmy Nardello
Manzabo Orange
Marchant Italian Pickling
Orange Sun
Padron
Poblano
Red Bell
Red Knight
Red Marconi
Roumanian Rainbow
Santa Fe Grande
Scorpion
Scotch Bonnet
Serrano
Shishito
Sriracha Hybrid
Sweet Banana
Sweet Italian Roaster
Thai
Thai Hot
The Big Early
Trinidad Scorpion
Yolo Bell
Yum Yum Mix

Squash
Anton
Bush Baby
Butternut
Gold Bar Zucchini
Italian Rampicante
Jasper Zucchini
Patty Pan Bennings Green Tint
Patty Pan G Star Green
Patty Pan Lemon Sun Fruit
Patty Pan Sunburst

Cucumber
Armenian
Burpless
Diva
English
Homemade Pickles
Japanese Brocade
Lemon
Longfellow
Mini Me
Natsu Suzumi
Patio Snacker
Persian
Pickling
Sultan Perian
Sweet Success
True Lemon
Tsuyataro

Eggplant
Black Beauty
Ichiban
Japanese
Millionaire
Nadia

Melon
Ambrosia
Honeydew Early Honeymoon
Honeydew Honey Orange
Sugar Cube
Watermelon Sugar Baby

The annual Mt. Diablo Iris Society spring show and plant fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, between 1:00 and 5:00, and Sunday April 13, 2025, from 9:00 to 4:00 at Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA. This is a judged show of many colorful and different varieties of iris cultivars and will also feature flower arrangements, a demonstration, and a photo contest open to public contributors. Admission is free. For additional information, call Mary Sindicic at 925 606-0355 or email MtDiabloIris@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Eventbrite.

7:00 am Enter Exhibits
10:00 am Entries Close
10:15 am Judging Begins
1:00 pm Show Opens to the Public
5:00 pm Show Closes

March brings our “Bud Break” Season. Spring bloomers are waking up from their winter rest and are ready to put on a SHOW! Here are some of our favorites.

Plums, almonds, pears, apples, peaches & nectarines lead the way when it comes to ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Ranging from white to soft pink, blossoms light up the bare branches. As the petals release and flutter in the breeze, we enjoy our version of a soft snowfall.

Magnolias are real show stoppers. Their big fuzzy buds will give way to the tulip and daisy-shaped flowers. The architecture of the plant coupled with stunning lavender to white blossoms is a real eye-catcher. Find a garden spot that has a shade break in the heat of the afternoon and these plants will thrive for years. 

Forsythias are easy to grow and real knockouts. When you see lemon yellow flowers covering its branches, you know spring is around the corner. Plant in full to half day sun nestled into your evergreen border and it will surprise you each year with its sunny blooms.

Enjoy the Spring Garden Color Explosion!

Was your house full of decoration during the holidays and feels empty now? We have the perfect solution!

Houseplants have made a huge resurgence in popularity recently probably because they can not only decorate our interior environment but also benefit our mental health. Plants can be a visual reminder of when, and how, to take care of ourselves.

They promote mindfulness

When we take time to check on our plants – for dead leaves, water needs and adjustments for light, etc.  – this little bit of caring for something else (who isn’t talking back) helps calm & center you. This is an example of mindfulness, a very helpful practice for coping with stress and anxiety.

They provide “low expectation” companionship

There is nothing better than connecting with friends and family, but sometimes it’s nice to have a companion that isn’t expecting a conversation or a give-and-take interaction. You can lean on your green friends.

Not only does gardening restore mood, but additional studies have also shown that even tiny doses of nature in our everyday lives can have big benefits for our happiness and well-being.

Taking care of your “plant babies” is a great way to focus positive energy on the little things which can help ground you.

They are happy reminders of nature

Just as we decorate our spaces with comforting touches of family photos and travel souvenirs, bringing plants indoors makes our homes more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. They can help bring the joy of nature inside. Science has shown that reminders of the natural world inside our homes can evoke various positive effects on your mood.

And last but not least, they are SOOO pretty.

What is a Beautification Award?

These awards recognize the efforts of our community members in enhancing and increasing the aesthetic attraction of Livermore and also promote creativity, community pride and economic vitality.

Nominated property category ideas:

• residential site improvements
• retail or commercial upgrades
• water wise or native plant landscapes
• historical renovations
• other structural renovations, restorations, and new builds that include noteworthy landscape design

Award Selection Criteria

Improvements to outdoor spaces, including landscape and hardscape renovations, are important components for award selection:

• How the project visually enhances the property.
• How the home/business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization and creativity to compliment and/or enrich the visual appeal of the existing community.
• How the home/business structure, architectural design and landscaping are combined for maximum visual effect.

Official Entry Form Submission Deadline: September 15, 2024

Submit completed entry form plus two (2) photos, including a “before,” if available, and “after,” both from the same angle.

Application Requirements:
– Properties must be located within the corporate limits of the City of Livermore.
– Projects must be visible from a public street or trail.
– Submissions must have the consent of the owner.
– Self-nominations are encouraged.
– Projects that have won in the previous five (5) years are not eligible.

Visit The City of Livermore website for more information.