01-12-2016—Backyard Nursery

Growing plant stock to sell on ebay: Albuca spiralis, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Dichelostemma ida-maia, Euphorbia lactiflua, Ixia viridiflora, Lachenalia aloides, Sparaxis elegans, Trichopetalum plumosum, Watsonia aletroides

Close-up of Lachenalia aloides leaf freckles, flower bud developing in center Dichelostemma ida-maia hasn't leafed out Update 1/16/2017: leaves emerging

08-25-2016—Yellow Carpenteria californica

Carpenteria californica has been growing in stock tank for 3 years. First year planted, I thought it was being attacked by insects, mites maybe. But now that I've had it several years, and the leaves yellow every summer, I think this is it's dormancy. Somewhat unsightly, but it will resprout new foliage soon enough.

08-04-2016—Flower du Jour

Sisyrinchium californicum (yellow eyed grass) reseeded in hypertufa container. Kept removing it since it's mature size seems too big for such a shallow planter, but over the course of a couple years it stopped appearing in the ground and was only in the planter. I left some to grow; it reached half it's normal size. I think it's trying to escape the grip of Viola banksii.

07-10-2016—Short and Tall, Plantago and Silphium

Plantago subnuda (Naked plantain) has increased in size. It likes some water, but doesn't need marsh conditions of native habitat. It's growing next to Silphium terebinthinaceum.

Silphium terebinthinaceum flower spears emerging. Difficult to photograph when flowers open because they're held high above the plant (6+ feet).

06-19-2016—Intercontinental Landscaping

Neighbor's lovely garden featuring CA and Australian native plants

Chilopsis linearis, mid-border Bougainvilleas, and Leucodendron sp.

Calylophus, Leucodendron, Grevillea, and Salvia 'Hot Lips'

Eriogonum grande rubescens and Leucadendron 'Ebony' or 'Safari Sunset'?

Erigeron karvinskianus flanking dry stream bed, Matillija poppies poking up in the background

Eriogonum grande rubescens

06-18-2016—The Despotic Whims of My Pruning Shears

CA poppies are in that awkward stage where plants are scraggly but seeds are still maturing. Not sure how long I can wait before chopping.

05-15-2016

Carpenteria californica

05-01-2016

Collected Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (common fiddleneck) seeds from soccer park. The plants had dropped most of their seeds already. Next year need to go earlier.

04-27-2016

Clarkia unguiculata

Rains evenly spaced and relatively frequent this winter = wildflowers' nirvana.

04-02-2016

Visit to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden



Wildflower meadow near entrance

Redwood section

Keep octopus on leash (although if your octupus is on land, leash should be least of your concerns)

Baccharis pilularis maze

Fence around tea house garden

Ferns in southern CA are pleasantly startling.

03-26-2016

Phacelias (sp. tanacetifolia) are crowding out my Baja fairy duster. 

Also pictured are Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (common fiddleneck), Eschschoizia californica, and Rhus integrifolia (lemonade berry).

Problem solved.

06-01-2013

Delphinium cardinale (scarlet larkspur), Santa Monica Mountains