 |
| 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) |
No comments:
Post a Comment