Thanks, it's what I feared. I was looking at cistus, but I think that would impede DWP too much (I'm thinking of putting them into a different unirrigated area, though). I will check out the crassula.

Another thought was something like this:

https://www.larnerseeds.com/product/monkeywrench-seed-collection

Thanks again for the response. Nice to have input from pros around here

Unless you but a physical barrier in place, anything you plant will get covered with ivy. When you put in low water use plants, such as Cistus, they will still need water for the first year until their root system is established.

Seeds are fun. I wouldn’t except a lot of growth without water. But if u want some color it’s an idea. When people mention California native I point to the hills and ask if u want ur property to look like that.. which is brown 3/4ths a year. The flowers are gorgeous in the spring but most of the plants listed on the seed list will go summer dormant.

So long as it fight backs the ivy, not sure I care what it looks like. Thanks

Much of the brown you see on the hills is black mustard, not a native plant. There are natives that are green year round. Check out Carol Bornstein's book California Native Plants.

As far as ivy goes, the only things that will fight back are pruners, a shovel, a pickaxe and possibly Roundup.

I need a photo!

lgteacher I've been doing pruners, pickaxes and the Sawzall (seriously) for several years now. I was hoping to stop. The house is for sale and I would imagine the new owners will want to get rid of it anyway. The ivy has likely been there for 50 years now, so it will not be easy

Also, I am going to go to the Theodore Payne Foundation on Tuesday, so I will report back from the experts there.

I went to the Theodore Payne Foundation Nursery today and I on the advice of the hugely helpful horticulturalists there, I picked up a few California Fuchsia in 4" pots and a packet of California buckwheat seeds. Both are well suited to the environment in the easement, so maybe they have a fighting chance against the ivy

I also bought an oz of their "Rainbow Seed Mix" to spread in an unirrigated border in front of my fence. It's a mix of Clarkia, Poppy, Gilia, Goldfields, Tiny Tips, Lupine and Phacelia. Should be a riot of color come spring (and lots of dead stuff to clear come summer)

For anyone in So Cal and interested in native gardening, get thee to Theodore Payne. They have everything from grasses to Cali Oaks and cool classes every week. I can't believe it took me this long to finally go there. It's in Sun Valley in La Tuna Canyon.

Fuchsia

Buckwheat

Rainbow Mix

I also have California fuschia. They have no pest or disease problems. The low variety needs no maintenance and blooms in late summer through fall - the hottest time of year - and does not turn brown in the summer, but stays a nice soft green. The taller variety (the one in your photo) I cut back in the fall after it finishes blooming. Hummingbirds love it. Native plants supports more native insects, which provide food for native birds.

It's the Catalina Fuchsia that I got. They told me to put them straight in the ground, but I'm a little wary of putting 4" plants straight in. I'm going to start germinating the buckwheat next week and the flower mix goes down in the fall

It's best to plant natives in the fall, gives the root ball a chance to grow with winter rains and get establish. The hot summer coming it will be toast.

I've been there several times and am surprised they didn't tell you to wait.