What to do in your garden in November; planting - Northern California

Sunset, Nov, 2003

AMARYLLIS. Only 8 to 12 weeks after planting, these gorgeous flowering bulbs produce huge single or double saucer- or trumpet-shaped flowers up to 9 inches wide. Miniature varieties have smaller flowers but may not be as leggy. Colors include coral, pink, red, salmon, white, yellow, and striped and feathered bicolors. Look for them at your local nursery or order from John Scheepers (www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838) or Wayside Gardens (www.waysidegardens.com or 800/845-1124).

BUTTERFLY PLANTS. Sunset climate zones 7-9, 14-17: Some of the best plants for attracting butterflies are those that provide nectar and larval food. They include: buckwheat, butterfly bush, coffeeberry, native grasses (Carex barberae, Festuca californica, and F. idahoensis), mallows (Lavatera or Sidalcea malviflora), milkweed (Asclepias incarnata for moist gardens, A. speciosa for dry gardens), native oaks (such as coast live oak), penstemon, pipevine, and willow.

CRAPE MYRTLE. Zones 7-9, 14-17: Three of the best crape myrtles for fall color are 'Pecos' and 'Zuni' (both Lagerstroemia hybrids) and 'Near East'.

If you can't find these trees at your local nursery, ask the staff to order one for you from Monrovia (which is wholesale only).

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GARLIC. Zones 7-9, 14-17: Artichoke (common white) types are easiest to grow. Rocambole has wonderful, intense flavor. Choose a site in full sun with well-drained soil (or plant in raised beds, if your soil is heavy and poorly drained). Mix in plenty of compost. Plant cloves so tips are about 1 to 2 inches beneath the soil surface; elephant garlic isn't a true garlic and is milder in flavor--plant cloves 4 to 6 inches deep. Zones 1-2: Plant in early spring.

WILDFLOWERS. For colorful spring blooms, choose a mix that's suited to your climate or buy individual kinds and create your own mixes. You can also buy mixes for specific purposes, such as wildflowers that attract butterflies or beneficial insects. Three regional seed sources are Clyde Robin Seed Company, Castro Valley (www.clyderobin.com or 510/785-0425); Larner Seeds, Bolinas (www.larnerseeds.com or 415/868-9407); and the Wildflower Seed Company, St. Helena (www.wildflower-seed.com or 800/456-3359).