Plant of the Week: Pale Primrose

In my research I've just discovered that Oenothera pallida is native to the Western United States except for California, but I'm quite smitten with it anyway! Unlike most white primroses, this beauty stays open all day and graces you with a sweet, sweet scent when you lean in to admire its heart-shaped petals. I tried it out because I was under the impression it would flow over the side of the container. Hmmm, perhaps it doesn't get enough sun where it is because it's reaching very tall. A transplant might be in order!

Soil: if it thrives in Utah, I'm going with poor, well-drained soil
Sun: full.
Plant: 4" plants can be put out as spring is coming to a close. Try the seed a month earlier.
Buy it: 4" are available at Annie's. Seeds are sold by these nice folks in Utah
Good for: a whiff of loveliness near the front porch, and late season blooms.

Field Trip: Convict Lake

What an amazing time we had exploring the Eastern Sierra! Here we are standing in the midst of Convict Lake, made giddy by the view. I can't get over how different the Eastern side seems from the Western side that I'm so used to. I'll be posting photos of our adventures throughout the week, but I'll begin with the hike we took around the lake with friends and family who congregated here for my cousin's wedding.



As we hiked farther above the lake, these castillejas were dotting the landscape with bright bits of red. It's always so thrilling to discover a plant you've only read about! They were resting on the hillside along with what I think is some sort of yellow buckwheat.


I'm still so excited about what we saw, that I'm having a hard time editing down my photos! I'll end with a few more- one of the spectacular view facing the Sierra range...


And a sweet little oenothera, or evening primrose dressed up in her finest just for our visit.