Meadowfoam
The week before Christmas we woke up to the sound of soft rain. Now, most people would pull up the bedcovers and linger over a cup of coffee. That does sound wonderfully cozy, but I could not pull on my hiking boots fast enough. Armed with my coat and camera I set out into the misty rain to one of my favorite gardens in San Francisco: the Native Plant Garden at Strybing Arboretum.
Longfellow writes of “Air sweeter than wine”, and in the park this rainy morning I breathed in the heady ozone: damp, earthy and of green, growing things. I was not a completely solitary visitor to this garden as numerous house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus), golden-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia atricapilla) and other small birds clustered in the shrubbery, their presence made known by droplets of water as they flew from branch to branch, and by the babel of their birdsong. I imagined they were saying “Party over here! Party over there!”
With the arrival of the winter rains in northern California, now is a time to plants seeds of all types, and especially native plant seeds. These native wildflowers are uniquely adapted to this area’s climate of cool, wet winters and long, dry summers.
A few years ago when I first visited the Native Plant Garden at Strybing I thought to myself, ” I know these plants, this place, this feeling. This is the California landscape in which I was born and that I love”. Other parts of the arboretum are quite beautiful, but the trees are too big, the lawns too expansive for me to attempt to re-create in my own garden. I felt this native garden could be a teaching laboratory for me. This last year I planted seeds representing some of the plants shown here to see how they would do in my own garden. Most of the native plants in my December garden are dormant or are just seedlings. In a few months these plants will begin to grow and flower.
The following pictures are from a visit I took to the Native Plant Garden at Strybing in April of 2008, and assists me with plant selections when planting seeds right now.
Tufted Hairgrass, Deschampsia cespitosa, has grown luxurient in this spot by April. In the arboretum one cannot venture off the path, but imagine sitting in the springy grass with your back nestled in the hollow of a California Buckeye tree, Aesculus californica, just coming into leaf.
The yellow flowers of meadowfoam, (Limnanthes douglasii) are spectacular planted en masse, and to do that economically one must do this by seed. This plant is delightful in flower, but I have learned a few things along the way in its cultivation. Limnanthes in my expeience can be devastated by slugs and snails when tender and young. Also, It is not reliable as a bedding plant. In reviewing again how it grows naturally in its habitat, I can see now that it prefers a natural, dry watercourse. There must be enough moisture deep down for this plant to “live happy and grow”.
I think I will try this again in the descending walk between the upper and lower sections of my own garden. The natural stepping stones could be made to effect a natural watercourse, interplanted with meadowfoam. Let’s see what happens this spring!
Without a doubt, one of the easiest of California wildflowers to plant by seed is the orange flowered California poppy (Eschscholzia californica). I have found to my delight numerous species of this type that have white flowers, yellow flowers, pink and even apricot flowers! The orange is the most common, but withstands a variety of climatic conditions. It can be a perennial in the right conditions, and very happily re-seeds. This time of year I am busily transplanting Eschscholzia sp. from where I feel they should not be (like under the garden table), and to where I think they could be set off best. When planting with seed, thinning the multitude of plants that emerge will allow a few to grow to be quite vigorous and provide a delicious display of blooms for bees …and for you!
The pink flowered Clarkia sp. turned out to be one of my great dicoveries this last season. Shown here intermixed with native grasses, planted alone in my own “test kitchen” in a miniscule plot of my own garden, I was amazed by the vigorous and showy blooms we had from this seed to plant. Clarkia comes in a number of species, some double, some single flowering — all are spectacular.
There is a common misconception that one can simply throw native plant seeds willy-nilly about and expect a flowering garden. My personal experience is that this is simply not the case. Most seeds like good, well-drained amended soil, and do need to be planted in the soil to prevent being eaten by birds. But I do love birds and I have a birdbath and feeder with good seed for them. Mother nature has many seeds to expend to birds, and the law of averages applies. If you have a limited budget, and wish to plant directly by seed with plants such as Clarkia, plant them carefully in a well prepared bed.
In this type of garden, pure color appears to float like daubs of paint on a green colored ground.
One of the California native irises, Iris longipetala flourishes in great stands in the coastal prairie.
Iris douglasiana produces many different colored flowers. It is instructive for me to see how nature arrays these plants in clumps. Where one Iris in the garden is a jewel-like specimen, a great drift of these flowers provides a spectacular display in the spring. In the background is the yellow flowering tree, Fremontodendron californicum
Admission is free to visit the native plant garden at Strybing Arboretum http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/
Further information can be found with The California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org
From their website:
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture and land stewardship
Many seeds and rhizomes of the plants shown here can be purchased online with Larner seeds: www.larnerseeds.com. I hope to visit Judith Larner Lowry’s demonstation garden on the coastal bluff of Bolinas soon. That will be another garden adventure!
Philip,
We are so impressed by your pictures, knowledge and vivid descriptions. We just loved reading about your adventures and can’t wait until the next time we’re in the bay area. On this gray and rainy morning in northern Arizona, the vibrant colors and beautiful detail of each scene are a refreshing Christmas present! Hope you guys have a great day and we look forward to revisiting the site!
Vickey, Emi and Lizzy
Comment by Vickey, Emi & Lizzy — 25. December 2008 @ 20:36
Hi!
Wow! So nice to hear from you! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for your comments. You made my day!
Warm regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 25. December 2008 @ 20:47
Phillip, A lovely post and I can feel how deeply you love your native California and it’s plants! Your images and photos are so beautiful, I almost fell in love with them myself! The juxtaposition of the Arboretum and the story of your own garden is perfect…can’t wait to see what your winter sowing will bring! Gail
Comment by gail — 25. December 2008 @ 22:53
Hi Gail!
Yes, It is going to be so much fun this spring! I hope to have a post showing my own winter garden soon!
It is so much fun transplanting, and planting seeds right now!
Thank you so much for your comment!
Philip
Comment by admin — 25. December 2008 @ 23:10
Wonderful post as always. I love Strybing, spent many an afternoon lolling on the grass and wandering amid the plants there. Took the N-Judah to sit on a bench there and cry the day my grandmother died. Smelled many a fresh herb for the first time in the garden for the blind. Somehow cannot remember where the native plants you so beautifully show and describe are - down and to the left as you head from Lincoln towards Stowe Lake? I must track them down on my next SF trip! BTW, loved your comment about the “tinies” - THAT’S where all the socks are disappearing to!
Happy holidays to you and yours.
Comment by Karen — 26. December 2008 @ 07:23
Philip,
What beautiful photos! I think I need a new camera ;). It was so nice to read this post and see all that beauty. In the midst of a crazy winter we’re having here in Oregon, this was so nice to read (I have been having a lot of fun with the snow :). Happy gardening and Happy Holidays!
Comment by Tessa — 26. December 2008 @ 09:17
Philip, what a beautiful post. So many of these flowers are favourites in English cottage gardens, but to see them growing as they would in the wild is wonderful. The common English name for Limnanthes douglasii is the Poached-Egg Flower (or even the Fried-Egg Flower). I much prefer Meadowfoam!
Comment by Victoria — 26. December 2008 @ 17:50
Hi Karen!
Isn’t silly and fun! based on the un-matched socks we have, we have a huge colony of them using our socks as sleeping bags!
Oh,Karen, I am right there about when you went here after your granmother died. A garden is so healing.
Yes, the garden for the blind! I love that place, too. I love the raised beds, too, so that all people can get up close to the fragrant plants.
As you enter Strybing at the bookstore and Library, take the path to the immediate left where they have a new stone sitting area. Follow the path, and eventually it comes to the native plant garden.
The Tinies!
All the best,
Philip
Comment by admin — 26. December 2008 @ 19:23
Hi Tessa,
I loved discovering your blog!
You are having a great time in the snow. Your bench really got covered.
How great you have a greenhouse!
Thanks for your comment!
Philip
Comment by admin — 26. December 2008 @ 19:52
Hi Victoria!!!
Yes, these plants do have an English garden effect. This spring I want vast drifts of these plants…or as vast as can be in a small city garden
I love that about the common names…one is so quirky and the other is so poetic. I felt that the word “meadowfoam” also evoked the feeling of this type of garden. Although… “Poached egg garden” sounds wonderfully irreverent and quirky. I like it!
Thank you so much for your comment, Victoria! I loved hearing from you.
All the best,
Philip
Comment by admin — 26. December 2008 @ 20:08
What a great place, I wish I had known about it when I was in the area. I’ll have to check it out next time.
Comment by Megan — 26. December 2008 @ 20:08
Hi Megan!
Yes, there are so many wonderful parts in Strybing, but this a special spot.
Thanks so much for your comment!
Happy new year,
Philip
Comment by admin — 26. December 2008 @ 20:24
Ah, those native flowers are so beautiful! What a lovely spot for a rainy day walk.
Wonderful, as always. Happy Holidays, my friend.
Comment by Nancy Bond — 27. December 2008 @ 01:43
Philip!
Season’s greetings…and thanks for yet another inspirational post. A dewey morning walk in the Arboretum sounds therapeutic; I can smell it already! I must visit there soon.
All the best! Ronnie
Comment by Ronnie — 27. December 2008 @ 21:15
Hi Nancy!
Thank you so much for visiting, and for your comment, my friend!:)
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Wishing you and yours all the best,
Philip
Comment by admin — 28. December 2008 @ 00:20
Hi Ronnie!
Yes! The smell of green growing things is incredible, especially living in the city. How lucky we are to have this place close by.
The air filled my lungs, and it was as though I had not really breathed in such a long time. It was wonderful.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Philip
Comment by admin — 28. December 2008 @ 00:24
What a lovely Christmas present, Philip! A dream visit to walk with you. If nothing else, I adore your photos, especially loving trees and California poppies. Thank you for sharing. Please know that my hands rake the soil, honoring the gift. May this New Year bring peace in the hearts of all. It has been a joy knowing you and will so look forward to connecting. Happy New Year!
Comment by joey — 28. December 2008 @ 05:06
Hi Joey!
Thank you so much!
What a lovely thing to say!
I have so enjoyed your blog: You have such a great spirit. You are such a wonderful person, and your blog is beautiful.
A very happy new year to you and yours.
Philip
Comment by admin — 28. December 2008 @ 05:14
Well I’m glad you didn’t stay in bed. These photos are awesome. I’m still amazed that your landscape looks like this in winter. Just incredible!
Comment by Phillip — 28. December 2008 @ 17:02
Hi Phillip!
I should have placed this part of the text in bold type
“The following pictures are from a visit I took to the Native Plant Garden at Strybing in April of 2008, and assists me with plant selections when planting seeds right now.”
Thr first image was last week, the others are from last spring. I am planting now for spring, so I revisited these images I had not posted before to use as inspiration on what to plant and how right now. I am sorry that was confusing!
Best regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 28. December 2008 @ 17:28
When I first looked at your photos from Strybing, I thought it looked like a beautiful painting. Then you said it looks like daubs of paint on a green colored carpet…oh so true Philip. Makes you want to paint that doesn’t it? You couldn’t go wrong if you made lots of stems of green stalks and then daubed the pastels all around. I looked at it with squinted eyes and loved it.
Do we ever walk through a garden and not think to ourselves that we want this or that? I’m always planning and redoing those same plans. The more knowledgeable you are, the worse it gets. Your idea of a path with the flowing flowers sounds awesome. A cat heaven. Lots of places to hide and dream about field mice and unknowing bugs waiting to be caught. It does seem really peaceful. Happy Seed hunting;)
Comment by Anna/Flowergardengirl — 29. December 2008 @ 02:00
Philip–
Spoken like a true Californian! Like you, I see the rains and think of the opportunity to plant native seeds and participate in California’s natural cycles. The Strybing photos are excellent. I’ve added another “must-visit” place to my list!
We’ll have to compare wildflower photos on our blogs. I too planted poppies and clarkias not long ago, along with some baby blue eyes (nemophila). The clarkias are now several inches tall, enjoying the winter rains, and the poppies are rising up among the different poppy forms that I’d planted in years past. As nature’s agents discover the little plants their numbers are dwindling. But I’m certain there will be some wonderful blooms ahead in my garden–and I’m sure in yours. Enjoy them!
James
Comment by lostlandscape(James) — 29. December 2008 @ 06:15
Merry Christmas, Philip! This is a marvelous post! It conjures up other worldly spirits and fairies and elves and begs to be enjoyed! I must check out the clarkia, and you’ve inspired me to search for other varieties of CA poppy. The orange one is now well established in my back garden, but it would be so fun to have new shades! Thanks as ever!
Comment by Kathry/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com — 29. December 2008 @ 08:37
Hi Anna!
What a fun comment!
Yes, I do squint my eyes and it looks like a painting to me. You know mw well!
Right now I am planting for spring. I am thinking about strong color contrasts, and working in foliage contrasts, too.
Talk about fun!
Thanks Anna for your comment!
Philip
Comment by admin — 29. December 2008 @ 18:57
Hi,
Your garden sounds wonderful, James!
I love Nemophila… it does get eaten by snails when young! Do you know of larner seeds? I think they are terrific, and I had great germination success from their seeds.
Thanks for your comment!
I hope you and John have a wonderful new year!
Philip
Comment by admin — 29. December 2008 @ 19:07
Hi Kathryn!
I love “other worldly spirits and fairies and elves”!
Yes, the white California poppies were very big and elegant. The pink ones smaller, but magical. The apricot ones were not as long lived, but I loved the color. I got these from Annies annuals in richmond. Do you know them?
I was glad I went online at annies annulas first and made some “must haves” and printed those. We took that sheet with me. They have so many wonderful things, it is overwhelming!
Happy new Year!
Philip
Comment by admin — 29. December 2008 @ 19:18
Dear Philip,
Thank you for posting such an informative piece. I love how you mix in the photos with the latin names and your own experience in growing the plants. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a more knowledgeable and understandable writer. I look forward to reading each and every one of your posts. Thank you for taking the time to inform, educate and entertain your readers.
Jerry
Comment by Jerry Burt — 30. December 2008 @ 01:38
Hi Jerry!
Wow! Thank you so much. That is such a lovely thing to say…BTW the money bag is inside the wheelbarrow
But, anyway, I appreciate your comments.
Warm regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 30. December 2008 @ 03:12
Oh, here you are! I don’t know why I didn’t get to your blog by clicking on your name. I found this through my stats website. What beautiful wildflower pics you have here. I want to come back in the morning to read what you said about them. I need to drag myself away from the computer for the night!
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Sue
Comment by Sue — 30. December 2008 @ 07:53
Great post Philip. I also like to look to nature to help me figure things out in my garden. Can’t go wrong with that! So that tree in the top two pics, that’s a California Buckeye? It’s really fabulous. I guess it has to be kind of old to get that neat looking or are they always like that? Good luck on your new seeds and have a great new year.
Jean
Comment by Jean — 31. December 2008 @ 19:56
Hi Jean!
Yes that is the California buckeye. they are rather slow growing, but they can get quite large. They lose their leaves early, about August or so.
I loved discovering you wonderful blog!!!!
Thank you for your comment!
Philip
Comment by admin — 31. December 2008 @ 20:28
Hi Philip,
I have visited here several times already but don’t think I’ve left you any comments yet
I wanted to tell you that I’ve admired your interesting and informative blog and particularly love the photos on this post. I just love looking at photos of flowers, butterflies, anything colorful. I don’t have much knowledge to share about gardening so I’m not a great person to go to for info (!)…But, I’ve enjoyed posting photos and visiting other garden bloggers sites (such as yours:) to learn something new and get ideas for my own garden. So, with that said, I hope you have a wonderful New Year of 2009!
Jan
Comment by Jan/ThanksFor2Day — 2. January 2009 @ 08:49
Hi Jan!
How nice to receive your lovely comment!
You made my day! I enjoyed your uplifting poem this morning on your blog.
I was in need of something colorful, too! These flowers make me so happy, and I appreciate your comments!
Philip
Comment by admin — 2. January 2009 @ 17:50