Blooms

Blooms, California Native Plants, Native Gardens, Naturalistic Gardens, Pollinators

Now Blooming in My Garden, San Jose, CA

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Now Blooming in My Garden, San Jose, CA

CALIFORNIA WILD LILAC AND SANTA BARBARA DAISY - LAPELUSODESIGNS

Above: California Wild Lilac and Santa Barbara Daisy, both low in water use.

Lupinus succulentus 'Rodeo Rose' California native hybrid

Lupinus succulentus ‘Rodeo Rose,’ a California Native Hybrid Lupine which self sows–even in gravel, this year also sowed itself in the container above–how convenient!

ROSEMARY

Rosmarinus officinalis, quite happily blooming in an 18″ container, beloved by bees and amazingly similar in bloom color and form to our California Native Wild Lilac above and below.

Above: A bee enjoys a potted California Wild Lilac before its friends arrive. California Wild Lilac is a favorite of local and European bees throughout California. It is evergreen and can be long-lived if it is not watered during the summer.

All this beauty and spring has just sprung! TTFN!

-Leslie

 

Blooms, California Native Plants, Fall Color, Low Water Plants, Native Gardens, Pollinators

California Native Garden Plants – Fall Color

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Tired of planting the “same-o, same-o flowers” for fall color? Mums are wonderful, it’s true, but how about a less thirsty change of pace? Try these California Native plants needing less water:

Helianthus annuus (Delta Sunflower or Common Sunflower)

Helianthus annuus (Delta Sunflower or Common Sunflower)

St. Catherine's Lace or Saint Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine’s Lace) in the spring with a happy bee! And, below in the fall, a close-up of this buckwheat’s back side and rusty fall color. It turns pinkish in-between! I’ll have to remember to add that photo next year.

St. Catherine's Lace or Saint Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine's Lace) fall color

Lollipop Flower

Helenium puberulum (Autumn Lollipop or Lollipop)* *Warning – Poisonous if ingested*

Bees flock to any of the above bloomers. Here is one now:

What are your favorite fall-blooming natives (California or otherwise)?

Blooms, Hummingbird Plants, Low Maintenance Plants, Low Water Plants, Succulents

Now Blooming in My Back Yard

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Echeveria 'Encantada' in Bloom

Stuffed in a wood planter box and blooming for weeks now on very little water just once a week, is succulent Echeveria ‘Encantada’. A show-stopper, measuring 21″ across at the base of the rosette! USDA Zone 9b.

Here is the “Before” pic taken months ago:

Echeveria 'Encantada'

“Encantada’s” name (in Spanish) fits. Are you as “delighted” and “enchanted” as I am with this beauty? Bonus: This is a hummingbird magnet and takes little maintenance. Gotta have it? You can order through your local nursery or online here:

Succulent Gardens

Altman Plants

Oasis Water Efficient Gardens

L, L