Updates

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Quick note to let you know that I continue to update lists and events. Orchid Black, Native Sanctuary, suggested a few excellent additions to the list of native plants that offer summer color (that’s not brown). Thanks to Orchid.

PlantSale-2012-narrowWanted to also mention a few upcoming events. Summer is over, whether the weather knows it or not, and the fall plant sales will be starting up. The San Gabriel Mts. Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is having its sale on Saturday, November 10 from 9 am to 2 pm. I posted about it before and will continue to put out reminders because I really, really want you to come. We have been ordering plants but have not uploaded the plant list because it has not been finalized (there’s nothing worse than disappointing a native plant shopper by listing something that isn’t available at the sale). Last year’s list, though, will give you a good idea of the number and types of plants we are likely to have. I hope to see lots of you at the sale.

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And it’s out!

The second event that I’m excited about is the Orange County Chapter of the CNPS fall symposium, At Home with Natives 2012: Solutions for Nature-Friendly Landscaping. This will be held on Saturday, October 13. Looking forward to hearing the other speakers, as well as revealing – as I see it, of course –  The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth on Caring for a Native Garden.

And finally, look what Krista and I did in the garden. As I have said before, I do more removing these days than planting. The Frosty Blue California lilac (Ceanothus ‘Frosty Blue’) was planted in fall of 2002. For the past several years its bloom has been less spectacular. The plant was huge and it was crowding the oak living next door to it. Time for it to go! Easier said than done but it really wasn’t too bad – at least not with Krista’s muscles!

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Choppin’ away at Frosty Blue. 
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Down to the skeleton and now comes the hard work of getting the root out.
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Before and after. The oak has room to grow and I think it looks much better with the trunk exposed.  Maybe I’ll put in some smaller plants like some more California buckwheat.

One thought on “Updates

  1. Rob J

    At least the ground should have still been wet, making root digging easier, right? We try to reserve all our digging for the rainy season. The clay ground here in San Jose is rock hard if completely dry.<br /><br />You just removed a ceanothus. Back in May, I just put three in, Julia Phelps. They&#39;re along the street in a hot, dry part of the side/front yard, and I hope to have them grow up to

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