These flowering plants are climate ready for Sacramento

“The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is proud to introduce the new climate-ready lineup of Arboretum All-Stars – 130 plants selected to thrive in hotter and drier conditions and withstand extreme weather events all while supporting pollinators and local wildlife,” announced the arboretum. “These resilient, sustainable choices build on nearly 20 years of All-Star success, a program that has shaped thousands of home gardens and public landscapes across California.”

The new Arboretum All-Stars make their official debut Saturday, Sept. 27, at the arboretum’s fall kickoff plant sale. This members-only plant sale, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes a great selection of the new All-Stars as well as the returning favorites.

Read more about Saturday’s sale here: https://sacdigsgardening.californialocal.com/article/471700-monday-sept-22-arboretum-fall-plant-sale/

When the UC Davis Arboretum released its original Arboretum All-Stars collection almost 20 years ago, water-wise plants were hard to find. California was in the midst of extreme drought in 2008 and many homeowners were ready to tear out their lawn for something that needed less water.

Tested in the university’s own gardens, the Arboretum All-Stars lived up their name. Available primarily via the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, these were 50 beautiful, flowering plants that were perfect for our suburban gardens and proven to need less water. The All-Star list quickly grew to 100 as more people had suggestions and recommendations.

A lot has changed over the past two decades including climate awareness – and weather patterns. Sacramento is seeing wetter winters along with prolonged droughts. Plants need to be resilient as well as sustainable. And more nurseries are supplying water-wise plants and pollinator-friendly California natives.

Arboretum experts took all that into consideration when they tackled an All-Star brand refresh. Of the 100 All-Stars, 38 have been retired but 68 have been added.

“When we started this refresh, our biggest priority was helping gardeners build resilient gardens to withstand extreme weather like a hotter, drier climate,” explains Rachel Davis, Arboretum GATEways horticulturist. “That meant retiring plants that needed more water or were hard to grow, and highlighting those that are tough, reliable, and great for pollinators.

“We also wanted to make sure the plants we recommend are actually available in nurseries, so gardeners can bring them home and be successful right away.”

Arboretum staff are sure gardeners will love the new All-Stars.

“One of my favorites is Marine Blue sage, a small silver-leaved shrub that has blue-purple flowers that blooms from summer through winter and is nearly effortless to grow,” says Davis. “We’re also excited about yellow bells, a large shrub that can be pruned into a small tree and looks great throughout the year. The yellow or orange flowers light up a garden and attract hummingbirds, native bees, and songbirds.

“And of course, California natives like western redbud and hummingbird sage remain stars – they’re beautiful, resilient, and support local wildlife.”

The All-Stars can build the backbone of a resilient garden that can last for decades.

“This isn’t just a plant list – it’s a tool for transformation,” Davis says. “We’re helping people build habitat-rich, water-wise landscapes. We want gardeners to feel empowered – not overwhelmed.”

How did they determine Arboretum All-Stars 2.0? “Each All-Star must offer strong habitat value (providing food, shelter, or nesting for wildlife and pollinators) or require low to very low irrigation making them ideal for a future of more extreme weather,” says the Arboretum.

All-Star plants also had to be tested in the UC Davis Arboretum and meet several key criteria, including:

• Attractive, with seasonal beauty or sensory interest.

• Easy to grow with minimal maintenance and adapted to local soil and climate conditions.

• Tolerant of heat and cold under current and projected climate scenarios.

• Not invasive and able to be sourced and propagated at the Arboretum’s seasonal plant sales.

“Many All-Stars also have bonus traits like being California natives, offering year-round appeal, tolerating seasonal flooding, providing shade, or being fire-smart and easy to propagate at home,” the Arboretum says.

The refresh also comes with a new online plant database that offers more detailed profiles and search filters along with gardening tips and maintenance guidance to help gardeners make informed choices.

In addition to Saturday’s event, the Arboretum Teaching Nursery will host public sales Oct. 18 and Nov. 15 with no membership necessary.

See all the All-Stars here: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum-all-stars.

For more details and directions to the nursery: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/ .