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| From Wild Suburbia |
I haven’t figured out the easiest way to post a list, so here it is as a jpg. Hope it is readable. Anyway, this is a quick list of some of the plants that caught my eye at Rancho right now. The Pacific Coast Hybrid irises rebounded after being fried in the extreme heat last week. They will not last much longer, so be sure to visit soon if you want to see them.
Pacific Coast Hybrid irises
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| From Wild Suburbia |
Among the shrubs and small trees, several California lilacs, especially the cultivars, are in full bloom. Ceanothus cyaneus and cultivars of it are showing off. This includes Cal-Poly and Sierra Blue. The flannel bushes (Fremontodendron species and cultivars, and xChiranthofremontia lenzii) are blooming. The western redbuds (Cercis occidentalis) are going into leaf and the flowers are finishing up.
Western Redbud
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| From 2009 0424 (rsa) |
The cacti are just starting. Beavertail (Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris) are showing off with the large pink flowers against the soft, purplish cactus pads. Claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) has a few of its spectacular dark red flowers.
Beavertail Cactus
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| From Wild Suburbia |
Out in the communities the deerweed (Lotus scoparius), black sage (Salvia mellifera), Channel Island tree poppy (Dendromecon harfordii), and showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis) are a few of the many worth seeing. The deer grass (Nolina parryi) is blooming as well.
Beargrass blooming among the Joshua trees in the Communities
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| From Wild Suburbia |
Don’t miss the spectacle – it is quite beautiful. If you are delayed, you should look for the California buckeye (Aesculus californica) that is currently in bud and will be blooming shortly.
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I have a question. You say you are trying to save water, and it was horrible to waste water on the land to the side of your property. Then why do you have a green grass frontyard and backyard? Is that not a bigger waste of water than a small strip to the side of your property? You are not making a difference if you continue to use water on the front of your property and in the backyard.
Dear Jim,<br /><br />Thank you for the comment. I have a small amount of grass in the front and back. Lawn area in my yard was reduced probably by at least 60% (I will measure this more carefully soon). Still you are correct that doing away with all of it would be better. I have in the front and back 4 mature trees – 3 avocados and 1 deodar. My house is nearly 100 yrs. old and the trees may
I’m hoping you go back often to take pictures and share on this blog. I have been to Rancho Santa Anna only in winter months and love it but will enjoy seeing other seasons.
Hi Gloria,<br />I expect to go back about twice a month. There is always something in bloom, or just interesting to see there. <br /><br />Did you ever find out what the bee’s bald spot was? (http://pollinators-welcome.blogspot.com/)