Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden

Located at ​431 Flora Vista Dr, Santa Barbara, CA, intersection of Flora Vista & Red Rose Way, across from Monroe Elementary School. 
A collaboration of three neighbors, this 120' x 4' garden, has been growing since January 2017, with over 100 native plants from California and Baja California.

Honey Bee visiting Albutilon palmeri

'Bee Friendly' Insectary 

Thank you to the Beekeeper's Guild of Santa Barbara for your recognition and our Bee Friendly award and sign!

Woolly Blue Curls, Hummingbird Sage, Lupine

Planter 1 - Low Brick Wall

Peritoma arborea, Bladerpod 2019-12-17

Galvezia speciosa ‘Boca Rosa’, Island Snapdragon 2019-07-22

Grindelia stricta, Coastal Gum Plant 2019-07-04

Planter 2 - Stop Sign & Insectary Sign

Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'

Ribes speciosum, Fuchsia Flowering Gooseberry 2019-12-17

Hyptis emoryi ‘Silver Lining’ Desert Lavender - These tiny flowers are 1/8" across.

Mimulus 'Jelly Bean Orange', 'Jelly Bean Gold', 'Jelly Bean Lemon'

Abutilon palmeri 2019-07-22

Bee visiting Salvia 'Bon Bon', (Salvia cleveladii 'Aromas' x leucophylla 'Point Sal') 2019-07-22

Salvia 'Dara's Choice', (Salvia mellifera x sonomensis) 2019-12-17

Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful', Seaside Daisy 2019-12-17

Planter 3 - Parking Sign & First Stepping Stones

Solanum xantii 'Mountain Pride', Chaparral Potato Flower

Lobelia laxiflora (Red Fuschia flowers) Mexican Lobelia, Hummingbirds 2018-06-11

Heuchera ‘Wendy’, Wendy Coral Bells

Planter 4 - Second Group of Stepping Stones

Eriogonum crocatum, Saffron Buckwheat

Eriogonum parvifolium, Sea Cliff Buckwheat

​Madia elegans, Spring Madia, Tarweed - flowers wilt mid-day to conserve moisture.

Sphaeralcea ambigua, Globe Mallow

Layia platyglossa ‘Tidy Tips’ 2019-12-10

Mimulus Jelly Bean 'Fiesta Marigold', 'Red', 'Dark Pink'

Honeybee visiting Eriogonum Grande rubescens, San Miguel Island Red Buckwheat

​Planter 5 - Third Group of Stepping Stones

Epilobium canum var. latifolium ‘Everett's Choice' Summer 2019

Eriogonum arborescens, Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat 2019-06-01

Carpenteria californica, Bush Anemone

Eriogonum grande rubescens, San Miguel Island Buckwheat

Encelia californica ‘Paleo Yellow’, Bush Sunflower

Eriogonum giganteum, St. Catherine’s Lace 2019-07-23

Planter 6 - Forth Group of Stepping Stones

Bouteloua ‘Blonde Ambition’, Blue Grama, Eyelash Grass 2018-08-15

Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’, California Fuschia

Planter 7 - Round Stepping Stones

Eriophyllum nevinii ‘Canyon Silver’, Woolly Sunflower 2018-07-13

Senecio palmeri ‘Silver and Gold’ Guadalupe Island Senecio

Heteroptera insect on Senecio palmeri

Aristolochia californica, California Dutchman's-pipe 2019-06-09

Stick Insect - Haplopus scabricollis
on Aristolochia californica  2019-06-11

Heuchera ‘Wendy’, Wendy Coral Bells 2019-06-09

Madia elegans with Caterpillar

Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden Plant List

Click here to view the PDF printable list shown below. 

Ribes viburnifolium, Catalina Currant - 1
Alphabetical list SB Mesa Insectary Garden Plants
2019-12-17­­­­  (Location key at the end)
 
Abutilon palmeri, Palmer's Indian Mallow - 2
Aristolochia californica, California Dutchman's-pipe - 2 & 7
Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray', Coastal Sagebush - 5
Asclepias fascicularis, Narrow-leaved Milkweed - 1
Asclepias speciosa​, Showy Milkweed - 1
Atriplex lentiformis ‘Naomi’, Quail Bush - 3
Baccharius pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’, Dwarf Coyote Bush - 2
Berberis aquifolium var. repens, Dwarf Mahonia - 1
Bouteloua ‘Blonde Ambition’, Blue Grama, Eyelash Grass - 5
Carpenteria californica, California Bush Anemone - 4
Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Anchor Bay’, Pt. Reyes Ceanothus - 2
Ceanothus hearstiorum, Hearst’ Ranch Buckbrush - 2
Ceanothus impressus ‘Vandenberg’, Santa Barbara Ceanothus - 2
Ceanothus 'Centennial’, Centennial Ceanothus - 2
Ceanothus ‘Diamond Heights’ Diamond Heights Carmel Creeper - 5
Dendromecon harfordii, Island Bush Poppy - 8
​Dudleya cymosa, Canyon Live-forever - 2
Dudleya hassei, Catalina Island Live-Forever - 2 & 7
Encelia californica ‘Paleo Yellow’, Bush Sunflower - 4
Encelia farinosa, Brittle Bush - 1
Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’, California Fuschia - 5 & 7
Epilobium canum var. latifolium, Everett's Choice' - 4
Epilobium 'Sierra Salmon', Sierra Salmon California Fuchsia - 2
Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful', Seaside Daisy - 2
Erigeron glaucus, - 2
Erigeron glaucus, Cape Sebastian - 4
Eriogonum arborescens, Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat - 4
Eriogonum cinereum­, Ashy Leaf Buckwheat - 4
Eriogonum compositum, Arrow Leaved Buckwheat - 2
Eriogonum crocatum, Saffron Buckwheat - 2 & 4
Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Bruce Dickenson’, Bruce Dickenson Buckwheat - 2
Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Dana Pt.’, Dana Pt. Buckwheat - 2
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. poliofolium, Flattop Buckwheat - 2
Eriogonum giganteum, St. Catherine’s Lace - 4 & 9
Eriogonum grande rubescens, San Miguel Island Buckwheat - 4
Eriogonum nudum, Naked Buckwheat - 3
Eriogonum ​parvifolium, Sea Cliff Buckwheat - 4
Eriogonum umbellatum, Sulphur Flowered Buckwheat - 1
Eriophyllum nevinii ‘Canyon Silver’, Woolly Sunflower - 7
Eschscholzia californica - California Poppy - 1
Fallugia paradoxa, Apache Plume - 1
Galvezia speciosa ‘Boca Rosa’, Island Snapdragon - 1 
Galvezia speciosa ‘Pink Panther’, Island Snapdragon - 1
Grindelia stricta var. platyphylla 'Ray's Carpet', Coastal Gum Plant - 1 & 9
Garrya elliptica ‘Evie’, Silk Tassel - 2 & 9 
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ (Bottom of Porch), Beardtongue - 4
Heuchera ‘Santa Ana Cardinal’, Santa Ana Cardinal Coral Bells - 8
Heuchera ‘Wendy’, Wendy Coral Bells - 3 & 8
Hosackia crassifolia var. otayensis, Otay Mtn. Lotus - 4
Hyptis emoryi ‘Silver Lining’, Desert Lavender - 2
Isocoma menziesii, Coast Goldenbush - 2
Layia platyglossa, Tidy Tips - 4
Lepichinia fragrans, Fragrant Pitcher Sage - 7
Lessingia filanginifolia, ‘Silver Carpet’ California Aster - 2
Leymus triticoides 'Lagunita', Lagunita Wild Rye - 2
Lobelia laxiflora, Mexican Lobelia - 2, 3, & 7
Lupinus succulentus, Arroyo Lupine - 2
Lotus (hosackia) crassifolius var. otayensis - 4
Madia elegans, Tarweed - 4
Mimulus ‘Burst Berry’, Burst Berry Monkeyflower -
Mimulus 'Dark Pink' Monkey Flower, Jelly Bean Pink Monkeyflower - 4 & 5
Mimulus 'Fiesta Marigold' Jelly Bean, Fiesta Marigold Monkeyflower - 4
Mimulus 'Jelly Bean Gold' Jelly Bean Gold Monkeyflower - 2
Mimulus 'Jelly Bean Lemon', Jelly Bean Lemon Monkeyflower - 2
Mimulus 'Jelly Bean Orange', Jelly Bean Orange Monkeyflower - 2 & 5
Mimulus ‘Red’ Monkey Flower, Jelly Bean Red Monkeyflower - 5
Mirabilis californica, Wishbone Bush - 5
Monardella macrantha 'Marian Sampson', Coyote Mint - 2
Monardella villosa, Coyote Mint - 2
Muhlenbergia dubia, Pine Muhly - 4
Nemophila maculata, 'Baby Five Spot' - 2
Nemophila menziesii, 'Penny Black' - 2
Penstemon eatonii, Beardtongue - 4
Peritoma arborea, Bladderpod - 1
Ribes aureum var. aureo, Golden Current - 2
Ribes speciosum, Fuchsia Flowering Gooseberry - 2
Ribes viburnifolium, Catalina Currant - 1
Salvia ‘Desperado’, Desperado Sage - 5
Salvia ‘Pozo Blue’, Pozo Blue Sage - 1
Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman' - 2
Salvia leucophylla ‘Point Sal’ San Miguel Island - 7
Salvia mellifera ‘Jade Carpet’, Dwarf Black Sage - 11
Salvia mellifera ‘Little Sur’, Little Sur Black Sage - 10
Salvia mohavensis hybrid, Hybrid Desert Sage, (Salvia mojavensis x clevelandii x dorrii) - 1
Salvia mohavensis, Mojave Sage - 1
Salvia pachyphylla, Rose Sage - 9
Salvia spathacea, Hummingbird Sage - 7, 9 & 10
Salvia 'Allen Chickering', (Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla) - 2
Salvia ’Bee’s Bliss’ - 4 & 10
Salvia ‘Bon Bon’, (Salvia clevelandii 'Aromas' x leucophylla 'Point Sal') - 2
Salvia 'Dara's Choice' (Salvia mellifera x sonomensis) - 2
Salvia ‘Desperado’ (Salvia apiana x leucophylla) - 5
Salvia ‘Rubin’s Baby’, Rubin’s Baby Sage  - 1
Senecio palmeri ‘Silver and Gold’, Guadalupe Island Senecio - 7 & 10
Sisyrinchium bellum, Blue-Eyed Grass - 2
Solanum umbelliferum ‘Mid Hill’ Bluewitch - 4 & 5
Solanum xantii ‘Mountain Pride’, Chaparral Potato Flower - 2, 3 & 4
Sphaeralcea ambigua, Globe Mallow - 4
Sphaeralcea angustifolia, Narrow-leaved bush Mallow - 4
Symphoricarpos albus ‘Tilden Park’, Tilden Park Snowberry - 4
Symphoricarpos mollis, Creeping Snowberry - 2​
Trichostema lanatum, Woolly Blue Curls - 2 & 6
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ - 4
Verbesina hastata, Cedros Island Crownbeard - 3Dendromecon harfordii (Island Bush Poppy)

​KEY TO LOCATIONS­­­
1 – Low Brick Wall
2 – Stop & Insectary Sign
3 – Parking Sign & First Group of Stepping Stones
4 – Second Group of Stepping Stones
5 – Third Group of Stepping Stones
6 – Fourth Group of Stepping Stones
7 – Round Stepping Stones Last Group
8, 9, 10 Neighbor's Garden

Insectary Signposts

Insects visiting our Insectary Garden

Cucullia alfarata caterpillar, Champhorweed Owlet Moth

Tiny native Bee on Dendromecon harfordii, Island Bush Poppy

Chloridea virescens - Tobacco Budworm Moth on Salvia Spathacata

Caterpillar on Madia elegans, Tarweed

Ladybird Beetle larvae on Ascelepias fascicularus

Ladybird Beetle heading to dinner of Aphids on Verbesina hastata

Scientist photographing caterpillars at Santa Barbara Insectary Garden

Naturalized Wildflowers

1. Lupinus succulentus, Arroyo Lupine [many Butterflies, Common Blue] *
2. Eschscholzia californica, California Poppy [Papaveraceae] *
3. Salvia spathacea, Hummingbird Sage - Eventually naturalized after many years of trial and error.
4. Eriogonum, Buckwheat

Salvia spathacea - Hummingbird Sage

Gophers

 To reduce the impact of gophers - plant Salvias or other members of the mint family.

California Native Plant Society - Calscape.org

​​Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden - Calscape List -  this nicely illustrated list includes 109 of our plants, not including plants from Baja California.
Calscape Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden Plant List Link   

Calscape list of plants in Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden

The Beekeepers Guild of Santa Barbara 

The Santa Barbara Beekeeper’s Association is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of beekeeping through best management practices, the education and mentoring of people about honey bees and beekeeping, and increasing public awareness of environmental concerns affecting honey bees.  http://sbba.org/

Thank you to the Beekeeper's Guild for our Bee Friendly Award 
​for the Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary Garden, ​October 13, 2019!

Bee visiting Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'

Bees

You don’t have to be a beekeeper to help the bees!   In fact, recent research suggests that planting flowers that bees like may be more important to bee livelihood than acquiring a hive.   On top of that, many of the native, drought tolerant plants are bee friendly; an important consideration here in Santa Barbara.
If you want to become a beekeeper with confidence, skill, and a compassionate heart - they offers classes including Backyard Beekeeping Class - teaching responsible beekeeping for an urban environment, adhering to Best Management Practices for the bees, beekeepers, and general public. All are welcome to their events! Visit their website for their bee friendly plant guide!
http://beeguildsb.org/

Eriogonum parvifolium with Bee

Butterflies

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
CITIZEN SCIENCE - Here you will find a number of projects that let you contribute directly to the science of invertebrate conservation. Below are links to Xerces Society projects tracking declining bumble bees, dragonfly migration in North America, and monarch butterfly populations in California. You will also find partner efforts to better understand the conservation status of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and more. https://xerces.org/citizen-science/
Monarchs - https://xerces.org/california-monarch-campaign/
Monarch Plant Guide - https://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CA_Coast_Monarch_Plant_List_PRINT.pdf

Erigonum parvifolium with Butterfly

Amphibians and Reptiles of California

California Lizards - http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/lizards.html
• Taxonomic Lists, Photo Indexes, Range Maps, and Species Accounts of all native and non-native amphibians and reptiles established in California
• Lists of Species that Might Occur in California and of Established Non-native Species in California
• Tips on Identifying Amphibians and Reptiles found in the wild in California 
http://www.californiaherps.com

Island Fence Lizard - Sceloporus occidentalis becki - lizards feed on many kinds of insects and spiders.

Horticultural Links - Garden Resources

• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - www.sbbg.org/
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Native Plants for Pollinators List 
• Theodore Payne Foundation - theodorepayne.org/
• Lotusland - www.lotusland.org
• Lotusland Attracting beneficial bugs birds and butterflies [Butterfly nectar or host]
• Calscape - California Native Plant Society - ​https://calscape.org/

Winter blooms in the Insectary Garden February 2019

From top left:
Encelia californica & Lobelia laxiflora
Penstemon eatonii & Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
​Eriogonum arborescens & Salvia Bee's Bliss

Insectary January 2018

Insectary January 2018

Native Plant Garden Maintenance

1. Low maintenance - does not equal no maintenance.
2. Dead heading, pruning to fit the space and encourage new growth, mulching to conserve water and deter weeds, weeding, and occasional watering are required.
3. New plants always require extra water until they are established and the reflected heat from sidewalk and street add stress to this garden. Notice the differences throughout the year in the changing shape and flowers of your favorite native plants in our garden.

Boiling Water Kills Weeds

Weeds can be a problem around pavement, for tough ones, pour boiling water on them, repeat a few days later if plant persists. Although boiling water harms soil health, it is not as toxic as herbicides. It will kill adjacent plants, so use with caution.

Three days after pouring boiling water on them - the weeds are dead.

Lupinus succulentus - Arroyo lupine

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Senecio palmeri, Santa Barbara Mesa Insectary 2019

Checkerspot Butterfly on Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful', Seaside Daisy