Updates from Fred

Hello Christina,

Thanks for reaching out.  Lisa has kept me up to speed on the project.  I was involved with the slope plant restoration and the old bath demolition years ago at Esalen and it will be a pleasure to see the site sometime.

I have not been a part of the plant selection for the roof, but wanted to confirm the plant list that has been included in the emails + blog from Lisa:

Perennial Color:
Dudleya caespitosa & D. farinosa - Sea Lettuce
Erigeron glaucus - Seaside Daisy
Eriogonum parvifolium - Seacliff Buckwheat (Smith's Blue Butterfly host/nectar plant)
Penstemon heterophyllus - Foothill Penstemon
Sisyrinchium bellum - Blue-eyed Grass


Grasses and Rushes:
Danthonia californica - California Oatgrass
Koeleria macrantha - Junegrass
Juncus patens - Common Rush  (other rushes are available, depends on desired color (green vs. grey-blue) and height, there are some great trade varieties).

Definitely plugs and 4" are the recommended sizes for the roof plants, they establish quickly and are easy to install.  I recommend adding 1-gallon Juncus for immediate height.

There are a variety of native site-appropriate plants that would be suitable for the roof, especially if we are targeting habitat for the Smith's blue.

A few other nectar plants:
Achillea millefolium - Yarrow
Castilleja affinis - Indian Paint Brush
Castilleja foliolosa - Wooly Indian Paint Brush
Sidalcea malvaeflora - Checkerbloom

Another great local plant that will add a nice sensory element to the roof is the Yerba Buena (Satureja douglasii). This has performed extremely well on past roofs.

We need to establish a final plant list with species quantities, then we can begin pulling and sourcing.  Purchasing can be completed before the year end to meet your budget for the year.  Let me know if you would like assistance with the plant quantities, I'll defer to Lisa to guide this discussion as I'm not quite sure of the design intent.

Glad to be a part of the roof transition.

Best regards,

Fred