Show and Tell

Couldn't help but show off a planter and planting that I did the other day.  I wouldn't call it native, but it is quite fetching (if I do say so myself!).  We're going for a sun-drenched minimalist Mediterranean theme here, and the photo above shows a transition.  The Festuca idahoensis towards the back will ring this bed while the Sage and Aeonium will be transplanted into the back garden.

In the planter I've got an olive, some Hidcote lavenders, a few Erigeron and a purple potato vine thrown in for good measure.  The plants are a bit new, but they should fill in in no time!

CNPS Plant Sale: So Good, the Cops Came

Not sure why a police officer was patrolling the plant sale, but there he was.  Do plant geeks really get that deviant?!  Regardless, the plant sale was tons of fun and even being the native plant nerd I am, I learned about a few new plants I'd never seen before.  I was really surprised how many of the plants offered were riparian (or growing near water) species.  Because I focus so much on drought tolerance, I tend to weed out the others (ok, that pun was intended).  A few newbies (to me)...

Scirpus acutus, or Common Tulle.  These can grow to 10 or 15 feet high!  But unless you happen to have a stream running through your urban jungle, you might be stuck watering them quite frequently.  Bummer.

Another plant for my future rotations:  Ninebark or Physocarpus capitatus.  Why didn't I learn of this sooner?!  Pretty leaves, gorgeous flowers, fall color and that peeley barky thing that I adore natives for...  what's not to love? 

It was a festive atmosphere, but I swear- folks were on a mission!  And tons of volunteers were helping educate local gardeners on the wonderful world of going native.  Next year, I think I'll finally get my stuff together and join them- it looked like they were having such a grand time!

CNPS Plant Sale!

Put on your running shoes, plantophiles!  The California Native Plant Society East Bay Chapter's Native Here Nursery is having their dreamy plant sale in Tilden Park this weekend!  I love how this nursery is organized by areas in the East Bay so you know exactly what grows where.  Although I don't usually garden that way, it's a great reminder of the importance of using plants that are made for your soil, weather, etc.
See you there!

Plant of the Week: Idaho Fescue

Let's start with full disclosure:  I have never actually planted this guy, but am really excited to get started by using it in my fall planting!   So you can see why I don't have any photos of the real thing (the imposter above is Festuca ovina glauca) and not feeling like "lifting" from other nice folks on the web, I have links under the "Buy it" category to happy nurseries that will gladly tell you all about it and show you some pretty pictures and I'm sure sell you one or two. 
Festuca idahoensis is a native grass (we share this native with other states in case you couldn't tell) that has blue-green blades in spring and puts on a great show in the summer of dried flower stalks splayed in the breeze.  Trim the grass a bit when your Felco trigger fingers get itchy  to encourage new growth and you've got a magnificent blue makeover in the springtime.

Soil:  Well-drained light clay is probably best, but it's not too picky
Sun:  Full sun to part shade
Plant:  Now!  Throughout the winter and into spring wouldn't be a bad idea, either.
Buy it:  Larner Seeds offers the seed and speaks lovingly about this grass being perfect for napping in and both Las Pilitas' nurseries carry them as well.  Yippee!  Native Here Nursery carries a few, too.
Good for:  Contrasting textures and colors with other plants.  Try pairing it with a hot pink salvia or some plump succulents.  You could also go minimalist and line them up in a grid or combine them with other native grasses. Apparently, it's good for grazing, so plant some for the neighborhood cows!

Folks that have grown it, please put your two cents in the comments and help the rest of us out!

Garden Tour: Euphorbia Gardens

I'd like to think I've inherited my design sense, but my Aunt Joyce's garden proves I have a long way to go.  Her garden at the base of Mt. Diablo hosts birds, birds, birds.  Deer come for a nightly buffet, too but that's not always a good thing!  An owl emerges from his tree in the evenings as the flocks of quail scurry amongst the shrubbery.  The turkey vultures slide through the air, down the mountain after a day of scavenging as the whirlwind of yellow finches get their last bits of seed.

What I love about it, however is that it wasn't designed with just wildlife in mind.  It's people friendly, too.  Pictured here is a sweet little terrace for late summer dining or the perfect place to celebrate the coming spring with an afternoon tea.

 

Paths wind around grasses and perennials, guiding  you past ornaments that bring strange questions to mind.  Is it art?  Is it found?  Is it the coolest thing ever?!  Ummm.  .  .  yes!

 

It's a large space, but the paths, sculpture and planting beds make you feel like you're on an adventure and create areas that have their own intimate identity.  I always come away refreshed and inspired.  .  .  and closer to getting my own back garden started!

Picnic on Putah Creek

Went on an impromptu picnic with my aunt Joyce the other day for yummy treats and bird-watching along the banks of Putah Creek in rural Vacaville.  A tangle of grape vines seemed to keep some of the birds occupied, while the woodpeckers kept the tree branches company.  Plenty of fisherman, but no fish to be seen. 

Usually when I think of Vacaville, I immediately groan about the traffic on I80, but this is quite a different experience!

 

Here you'll see our picnic site, inches from the water.

Don't Compost Them Quite Yet!

It's that time of year when you don't have much to do in the garden except dream of spring and keep yourself from pulling out all the things that are slowly creeping towards decay.  My perfectionist habits tend towards order, but these Clarkia seedpods will provide food for migrating birds and can later lend themselves to an autumnal flower arrangement or Christmas tree bauble.