Symphoricarpos albus
When living in West Sonoma County, I first came across this unusual fruiting native not far from our home. Situated within a flood plain...
top of page
TELCS
5 min read
Cercis canadensis
A darling of the small stature understory flowering trees in Northern California may be replacing the ever-popular flowering but...
32 views0 comments
3 min read
Melaleuca linariifolia
Easily unnoticeable but offers so much more when looking at the details, we should be seeing more of Melaleuca linariifolia in public...
18 views0 comments
4 min read
Ginkgo biloba
Like me, Ginkgo biloba is a living fossil, or as Sunset summarizes, an "ancient survivor from prehistoric times..." (p. 339). The...
21 views0 comments
4 min read
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
Welcome to floral sunshine in the native garden! Solidago velutina ssp. californica, or California goldenrod, is not well known among...
26 views0 comments
3 min read
Epilobium canum
Ushering in the autumn season is California fuchsia, or Epilobium canum. When so many other native perennials are already withering or...
21 views0 comments
3 min read
Rosa californica
California has everything, even its own rose. No, it is not a fancy multi-petaled cut flower coveted by lovers, but it certainly has...
12 views0 comments
4 min read
Arbutus 'Marina'
When thinking about street trees for California, there are few evergreen examples that check off all the boxes of requirements and still...
27 views0 comments
3 min read
Cistus x skanbergii
It was not until finding this photo that I realized the petals were in the shape of true love, reminding me to admire the details if not...
11 views0 comments
3 min read
Coreopsis grandiflora
With a species epithet like grandiflora, meaning with large flowers, one should have great expectations, but let's temper our excitement...
17 views0 comments
4 min read
Amaryllis belladonna
H.A.R.D.Y! This is the best way to describe this South African bulb. As of this early September post, they have been in bloom in the...
54 views0 comments
2 min read
Achillea millifolium 'Paprika'
There are a number of cultivars of A. millifolium, but 'Paprika' stands out for me thus prompting this separate post. The facts below...
28 views0 comments
3 min read
Rudbeckia hirta
Cottage gardens and perennial borders cannot exist without Rudbeckia hirta. Okay, that is an overstatement, but their daisy-like flowers...
10 views0 comments
5 min read
Lagerstroemia indica
What's not to love about Lagerstroemia indica, or crape myrtles? Right about now, mid to late summer, their ubiquity is obvious along...
57 views0 comments
3 min read
Achillea millefolium
Many California natives are exclusively indigenous to California or the West Coast, but Achillea millefolium has broadened its reach to...
20 views0 comments
3 min read
Tulbaghia violacea
Pssssst......landscape designers......over here...make sure your client or the users of your landscape LOVE garlic before planting this...
13 views0 comments
4 min read
Dietes iridioides
Fortnight lilies are another workhorse in commercial landscapes, tolerating a ho-lotta maintenance and design travesties yet still they...
194 views1 comment
5 min read
Quercus agrifolia
The coast live oak is among other tree species noted for their size, often achieving heritage status within communities... witness trees...
80 views0 comments
3 min read
Juncus patens
Juncus patens is a workhorse in a relatively new landscape industry, green stormwater infrastructure, or GSI for short. Sure, it is a...
10 views0 comments
3 min read
Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'
Smokin'! This is the first word that comes to mind when I see this unusual plant in bloom. What could be an ordinary large shrub or...
22 views0 comments
bottom of page