PLANT UP
SoFA PLANT UP
SoFA District has a California native plant exhibit
Experience SoFA District’s newly imagined landscape along First St. that offers the public a self guided botanical garden tour decorated with plants native to California. Each planter is installed with QR-code signs that connect visitors and the local community to a smartphone accessible online exhibit. Information in our online exhibit can also serve as a source of information about each plant community’s ecology, history, and cultural significance.
Each planter exhibit will provide its species names, origins, and description. SoFA District will function as downtown’s creative community as well as showcasing California’s natural beauty.
Planter Themes
Wildflower Grasslands
Redwood Forest
Mountains and Alpine
Chaparral
Riparian
Coastal Dunes
Planter Exhibits
California Poppy
∙ Eschscholzia californica
∙ Native habitat: includes California and extends to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and northwest Baja California
∙ The California Poppy is an iconic flower in the American West. It became California’s state flower in 1903, and its image can be found here in SoFA District on the California Theater’s light sign. California poppies bloom between February and September, and its flowers only open during the day time. At night or during cold weather, the flowers close up. California poppies are also drought tolerant, self seeding, and easy to cultivate in any garden.
Western Redbud
∙ Cercis occidentalis
∙ Native habitat: dry slopes and foothills from northern California to Utah and Arizona below 4,000 ft.
∙ The Western Redbud is a pollinator’s delight. Its bright pink flowers bloom from March to May, and are an important nectar source for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Some native bees also use its leaves to build nests inside trees. The Western Redbud is great for drought tolerant gardens and beautiful during all seasons.
Foothill Sedge
∙ Carex tumulicola
∙ Native habitat: primarily on the coasts of northern California, but extends to San Luis Obispo County and the Channel Islands.
∙ The Foothill Sedge is a grass-like herb that grows in meadows and open woodlands between sea level and 4,000 ft. It prefers open spaces with some moisture, but can tolerate dry periods. For gardening, Foothill Sedge is commonly used as ground cover between trees and shrubs, and is fairly low maintenance.
Want to see more gardens downtown?
Help us decide where the next plant up should be!
Want to see more gardens downtown?
Help us decide where the next plant up should be!
