In Bloom: September '14

   It is mid-September and the garden hasn't received rainfall in several months. Luckily, it has been a mild summer, with temperatures hovering in the high 75-85F range. Morning fog here on the peninsula has also helped provide a bit of moisture. In the front yard I have hand-watered the herbaceous perennials (e.g. golden aster and seaside daisy) once every 10-14 days and the evergreen shrubs (e.g.  ceanothus and manzanitas) once every 4-6 weeks. Established plantings such as white sage, Santa Cruz Island buckwheat, and chaparral currant have not received any supplemental water. In the backyard, most of the plants are on drip irrigation, receiving 5 minutes, twice a week. The backyard looks decidedly lusher than the front, though plants like monkeyflowers and coyote mint have still gone dormant in the backyard even with the extra water.
     Here on September 16, there isn't much in bloom, but many of the evergreen shrubs such as manzanitas, ceanothus and coffeeberries are looking healthy and well...green. In particular, I have been pleased with the progress of the manzanitas, and I hope to add a few more plants this Fall to my growing manzanita collection. A few highlights:

-Dendromecon harfordii (Island Bush Poppy): I killed one of these in the front yard a couple years but decided to give it a whirl again last year in the backyard. It was planted last Fall and so far so good. I think it likes a bit more water, shade, and drainage then I was giving it previously. This is one of my favorite natives, providing beautiful yellow flowers nearly year round.

Dendromecon harfordii

-Epilobium: Fuschias are always the late Summer stars as they provide much needed color and they will bring in hummingbirds.  Currently, 'Hurricane Point' looks the best among my fuchsias.  'Everett's Choice' and 'Cloverdale' are past their prime and have already been cut back to their base. I will likely make changes to the placement of my fuchsias this Fall.

Epilobium 'Hurricane Point'

-Eriogonum (Buckwheats): 'Santa Cruz Island' looks amazing as always, and the 'Red-Flowered' variety is past its prime but still putting out pink blooms.

Eriogonum 'Santa Cruz Island'

-Eriophyllum nevinii (Island snowflake):  'Canyon Silver' cultivar is looking quite impressive currently with new blooms coming up and striking foliage. This is quickly becoming a favorite.

Eriophyllum nevinii 'Canyon Silver'

-Eschscholzia (CA poppy): My volunteer poppies are blooming for the third time this year. When flowers wilt, I cut the plant to the ground and it grows backs within a month, all without supplemental water. Gotta love it.

-Arctostaphylos (manzanitas): All the manzanitas are looking healthy and robust right now. 'Louis Edmonds' has displayed tremendous growth here in its second year and is quickly becoming a nice specimen in the front yard.

Arctostaphylos 'Louis Edmonds'

In Bloom: July 2013

A Channel Islands themed bed, with blooming Santa Cruz Island buckwheat and Rosy Buckwheat (in front)

The summer months are a period of dormancy for most native plants. Spring flowers have come and gone, foliage is browning, and the general appearance of the native garden is less than optimal. This calendar year we have received virtually no rainfall here in the Bay Area, which has accelerated the summer browning process.

Over the past year, the front yard has gone through many changes. Many plants have died or been replaced after outgrowing a particular site. This unexpected turnover is directly related to poor choices on my part, simply not knowing about specific plant needs and not being able to visualize how they will fill in and grow together. It's disappointing, but expected given my lack of experience. In 2013, I had to say goodbye to the Cleveland sages, two manzanitas, Ceanothus 'Centennial' (of purple reign fame), and others. Welcomed in were a California buckwheat, more fuchsias and a new manzanita (Arctostaphylos bakeri 'Louis Edmonds') that I hope will serve as an evergreen anchor for the front yard. The Fall will likely bring more change. What a difference a year makes:

July 2012

July 2013

Despite the comparatively underwhelming summer show here in 2013, there are still a few plants to highlight:

An Anise Swallowtail rests here on the Coyote mint (Monardella villosa)

An upright fuchsia (Epilobium 'Carman's Gray')

'Cloverdale' fuchsia, a very nice compact selection that looks nice spilling over a wall

'Schieffelin's Choice' fuchsia, a very low ground-hugger and probably my favorite native fuchsia

Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens), a year-round beauty

Rosy buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. rubescens), a wonderful source of summer color 

Left: Carman's Gray fuchsia; Right California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)