Field Trip: The Fragrant Path of the Diablo Foothills

Using the holiday weekend to finally paint the kitchen (it looks great!), I realized on Sunday that we hadn't been outside to enjoy the best weather we've had in quite some time.  Everybody in the car!  We're going out!  Impulsively, I grabbed a handful of maps taken from the local regional parks and settled on Castle Rock & Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill.  Arriving around 5 pm, the crowds had already packed up their picnic baskets and left the park for us to explore.  While a welcoming committee of yellow Calochortus, Brodaiea and Owl Clover lit up the sides of the trail, the bowers of flowering Buckeyes (Aesculus californica) captivated my eyes and nose. 

Sweet yet not syrupy, girlish and not fruity, the scent of a Buckeye blossom will levitate the senses and cause a furious pollen-mustache removal.  We passed by hundreds of these trees, yet every time I couldn't help but stop and relive its fragrance.  Thus began our smell tour of the Diablo Foothills.  We ascended the Shell Ridge Trail along a ballet troupe of yellow butterflies and my first sighting of Clarkia unguiculata in the wild. 

Sambucus mexicana sweetened our way- I had no idea the scent could be so lovely when I had first spotted it growing along the Delta.  Country Mouse highlighted this plant recently in an enlightening post here.   Nothing like seeing a plant in person to make you want one... Now!

To contrast with the heavenly fragrances, Salvia mellifera sunned its leaves on the hillsides with late afternoon sun, sending its musk down the path in fleeting clouds.  While most of the flowering had already finished, gobs of happy Monkeyflowers shone orange and continued the bloom along side them.

Farther along, the persistent buzzing of an insect construction zone led us to investigate.  Bunches of Adenostoma hosted a myriad of bees, from honey to hover, to bumble.  What is it about silently watching bees buzzing frantically that makes me feel so relaxed?  Ok, I want an Adenostoma now, too.  Not to mention another opportunity to explore this park further throughout the seasons.

The Buckeyes Are Blooming!

One of my favorite Aesculus californica (California Buckeye) trees in a neighborhood nearby has put on her Springtime dress.  The perfect tree for an urban garden, she encompasses all of the basic needs:  seasonal changes (including a flower show in Spring and bare silver branches at the close of Summer), shade to put your hammock under, smallish stature to conserve on space, and tolerance of sun and shade alike. 

While the little stick in my own garden valiantly grows and develops, I'll continue to linger at the base of this tree on my walks and enjoy its ethereal beauty.

Buckeyes vs. Bees

So it all started last Spring when I saw the buckeyes in bloom and I.  Had.  To.  Have.  One.  So I planted one right after Christmas and it's already playing peek-a-boo with it's leaves.  Then my brother gave me an awesome book about Backyard Beekeeping from this great little shop in Sacramento.  Cool!  Then, I remembered that Aesculus californica pollen and nectar is poisonous to European honeybees.  But, I asked, how poisonous?  Does the bee realize it's bad and avoid it or does he naively sip away to his own doom?   Oh, what's a urban farmer/native gardener to do when she wants it all?  Well, here's what I turned up in terms of internet research:

This article by CNPS doesn't discuss the Aesculus/bee relationship extensively, but it does provide a fun, short read about the relationship between insects and native plants.

This page talks about the symptoms of honeybees that can't help themselves and partake of the pollen/nectar.  There aren't disturbing pictures, but I did feel very bad for the bees after reading it.  Sensitive folks take note before clicking on the link.

And finally, Bingo!  A page that concisely answers my question.  Buckeyes greatly benefit the native insect world, but if you have many other blooming plants for the European bees, they'll choose healthier options.

Of course, since this is the internets, I take this advice with a grain of salt.  It is a start, however.  It would be great to hear Gordon Frankie's opinion.  He runs the Urban Bee Research project and I keep meaning to take one of his classes.  Can anyone else weigh in on this subject?