The South Pasadena – Arroyo Seco Woodland & Wildlife Park (a mouthful for the South Pas Nature Park) is still ablaze with colorful blooms. Here’s a list of what is flowering right now. Did I miss anything? (Picture gallery follows)
Blooming Now
- Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)
- Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea)
- Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea)
- Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)
- California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
- California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica)
- Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata)
- Giant Rye (Elymus condensatus)
- Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata)
- Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)
- Heartleaf Penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia)
- Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)
- Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla)
- Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii)
- Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius)
- Showy Penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis)
- Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus)
- Wild Rose (Rosa californica)
- Yellow Bush Snapdragon (Keckiella antirrhinoides)
- What did I miss?
Poppy with Coyote Melon leaves 
Purple Sage 
Elegant Clarkia, Poppies in Butterfly Garden 
Red California Poppy 
Showy Penstemon 
Wild Rye 
Bladderpod 
California Buckwheat 
Annual Sunflower (bud) 
Globe Gilia 
Sticky Monkeyflower 
Narrowleaf Milkweed 
Blue Elderberry 
Monarch Butterfly 
Butterfly Garden 
Elegant Clarkia 
Black Sage 
Black Sage 
Golden Yarrow 
Yellow Bush Snapdragon 
Scarlet Bugler, Poppies 
Oak Tree Falls
On a sadder note, we lost the signature oak in the nature park. The double-trunked mature coast live oak split in half a few weeks ago. It is always sad to lose an old tree, but it is part of life. It had been declining for many years and I guess this was its time.
I learned of the demise of this great tree while I was away. Although I saw pictures, it was not until this morning that I finally saw the fallen tree. I feel sad, yet I am surprisingly okay. The park is in its springtime glory with bright flowers and sweet-sounding birds. I will miss the tree. However, it is not really gone; rather, it is being recycled into new life.
In an effort to provide good habitat for insects, birds, lizards and a myriad of other critters, the wood will be left in the park. Large pieces may be used for seating. The rotten wood will provide food and shelter for plants, fungi, and insects, that in turn will feed the birds. We welcome ideas and help on how best to use the wood.
So if you have any ideas, and especially if you have the wherewithal to carry them out, please contact me.
Park Events
The next volunteer cleanup is on Saturday, May 18, 9 am – noon. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – San Gabriel Mts. Chapter will be joining us for a tour of the park beginning at 9:30 am. Attendees are welcome to join the volunteers to pull a few weeds following the tour.
If you would like to receive MailChimp email reminders of park events, please contact me.
Great series on springtime in the park. Lookin’ good!
Thanks, Pamela. The blue elderberry is in its glory. A great habitat shrub but not always the most beautiful, right now it is lovely.