Mission Statement

We exist to support the cultivation and enjoyment of Native Plants within northwest San Diego County and to provide community education on the benefits of Native Plants.

The Buena Vista Native Plant Club was formed to support a $70,000 grant that was given to the City of Oceanside and the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center. The grant is funded by the Metropolitan Water District, which is promoting lower water use through native and drought tolerant landscaping. The City, Audubon, and  the Fish&Game Department joined forces for an opportunity to showcase natives as the landscape of choice. The site has been divided into 4 main gardens: two were designed and installed by the The Buena Vista Native Plant Club (us!) and two were designed and installed by the City. Overall, it has been a very collaborative effort.

The Buena Vista Native Plant Club is now a recognized resource for north county native plant gardeners. We continue to meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, 2202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

 

 

What is a Native Plant Garden?

Our coastal hillsides are covered with plants that some people call weeds, but anyone who takes time to learn about these "weeds" soon finds a vast number of attractive and interesting native species that would make great additions to their gardens.  San Diego Coastal Sage Scrub rivals the rainforest for the diversity of plant and animal life!

The BVAS native plant garden is a small scale demonstration habitat that showcases these native species and increases our understanding of the world as we observe the web of life in action.

Island Mallow

Native plants are those plants that have evolved here, not those introduced by man.  When a plant has been introduced within the past few hundred years, the necessary adaptations haven't had time to occur.  Often native species are lost as the new plant takes over.  Pampas grass is an example of an introduced plant. It does not provide food or shelter and has destroyed native areas.

Isn't it Hard to Maintain?

Native plant gardens are easier to maintain than ornamental gardens once you understand them.  The plants rest during Summer/Fall and grow in Winter. If native plants are watered in the late summer, the dormant season is interrupted and harmful bugs and microbes continue to multiply.  It is best to let the garden dry out for one month during August.  The growing season starts with the rains in October.  Pruning is twice a year in January and August.

 

Recommended Reading

The California Landscape Garden:
'ECOLOGY, CULTURE AND DESIGN'
By Mark Fransis and Andreas Reiman

Growing California Native Plants:
By Marjorie Schmidt

Roadside Plants of Southern California:
By Thomas J. Belzer

Southern California Native Plant  for School Gardens:
By Betsy Landis

California's Changing Landscape:
By Barbour et.al.

Reference Sources

For more information, the following links will guide you in the right directions...

California Native Plant Club
www.CNPS.org

San Diego chapter of CNPS
www.CNPSSD.org

Tree of Life Nursery
www.TreeofLifeNursery.com

California Invasive Plant Council
www.cal-ipc.org

Las Pilitas Nursery
www.laspilitas.com

Natives Provide Color and Variety

Events Calendar

We invite you to join our friendly group to talk, share, garden, and learn at our regular “Third Sunday” meetings at the Nature Center.

Get Over that Old Love Affair!

Are you still pining for that perfect lawn you thought you were hooking up with all those years ago? After all this time of carefully tending to its many needs, is it finally dawning on you that this relationship is draining you of all your time, energy, and hard-earned money? Face it—some relationships are doomed to fail. Maybe it’s time for a clean break. Our May meeting is all about getting over that misguided love affair with your lawn. Get some good hints on how to replace that old sod. There are lots of wonderful native plants out there just dying to meet you. Come and learn how to find Mr. Right!

The Buena Vista Native Plant Club meets on the 3rd
Sunday of the month at the Nature Center. For more info, e-mail Joan Bockman at BVNPC@sbcglobal.net or call the Buena Vista Nature Center at 760-439-2473.

Native Garden Tour

Sunday, April 27, 2 p.m.
St. Mary’s School
515 Wisconsin Street
Oceanside, CA

Join this one-mile walking tour and visit over ten residential California native plant gardens in the historic Seaside neighborhood of Oceanside. We’ll meet at St. Mary's School (one block east of Coast Hwy. and Wisconsin St.), and then break into smaller groups to go off on an easy walk to nearby native plant gardens. We’ll see gardens in various stages of development and get lots of ideas and inspiration for our yards. The guided walk is free but be warned—kids will be selling lemonade and cookies along the route! This very popular annual event is sponsored by the Buena Vista Native Plant Club and the Oceanside Coastal Neighborhood Association.

Illustrated Brochure With Map
California Native Plant Gardens Tour of Downtown Oceanside

Want to check out the premier Oceanside native plant gardens yourself? Click here for a brochure with map that you can print out and take with you. (Adobe Reader is required. Click here for a free download if you don't already have it).

Click below for a list of plants that may be
seen on the tour:

Oceanside Yard Plant List

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Monthly Nature Center Grounds Cleanup - Saturday, May 3

Join us from 8-10am on the first Saturday of every month. We do some hand weeding and pick up trash around the Nature Center and along the trail. Bring your hat, gloves, sunscreen and hand gardening tools.

For more information on any Native Plant Club events, call the Nature Center and leave a message for Joan Bockman 760-439-2473.

Riparian Habitat