Whew! Life has been a whirlwind since I last posted here. Just in the last two weeks, I’ve been to Massachusetts and back, gotten Covid (for the 2nd time), had an in-person job interview, been on three different guided nature hikes (on two different coasts), worked at the native plant nursery, monitored nesting Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets, visited family, celebrated Easter and my kiddo’s birthday, and of course tended to the yard, the house, six cats, my husband, my husband’s kiddos, and some fish.

So taking an hour or two to reflect on my native plant project is a gift to myself.

Walking around the yard yesterday, I got a little sad because the lupines, California Goldfields, Tidy Tips, Baby Blue Eyes, and Purple Innocence are fading and going to seed. (I’ve been checking on the lupines daily so that I can collect at least some of the seed pods before they twist open and fling their seeds in the air.)

I was fretting about missing the colorful show from the wildflowers. But, once again, the plants surprised me.

The Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has bloomed! This may not seem like something that warrants an exclamation point, but for some reason, I’ve had a really hard time growing yarrow in this yard despite its “easy to grow” and “spreads quickly” reputation. I’ve planted it over and over again, in various locations, and finally four spindly plants blessed me (and the bees!) with their crisp white flowers.

Bright pink flowers on the Coral Bells or Crevice Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha). (Sorry the flowers are out of focus. Doh!) I wasn’t sure these would bloom in their first year in the ground, but they managed to send up two gorgeous pink banners. The statue of a woman with a child on her lap was a gift from my mom when my son was born TWENTY-ONE years ago. (How is that possible?!?) The statue is a bit weathered, like me, but a wonderful daily reminder to appreciate the amazing person my son is and how blessed I am to be his mom.

Tiny purple flowers on the Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii). This creeping member of the mint family might be my new favorite native California plant. I searched high and low for this guy because it was recommended to me as a good choice for growing in the shade under oak trees. But I couldn’t find it anywhere! Finally, one day while I was potting plants at the native plant nursery and chatting with my fellow volunteers, I asked if the nursery ever has it. Our nursery manager said, “Yes, once in awhile, but it’s not very popular” and then disappeared amongst the tables and tables of plants. A few minutes later, she came back holding a pot with long, trailing shoots. I’m pretty sure I jumped up and down with excitement!

Since joining my native plant project, this guy has done pretty well. He’s under the big oak tree in the front yard and starting to fill in a formerly bare spot, joined by one of the woodland strawberry plants. The tiny purple flowers appeared this week. But the best thing about Yerba Buena is the scent! The leaves smell just like spearmint, and I hear they make a lovely tea.

The only yellow lupine in the yard. Among the tons of purple and pink lupines that have popped up all over the front yard and driveway, this yellow late-bloomer was a sweet surprise. I think it’s a Chick Lupine (Lupinus microcarpus) and came from seeds I purchased from Walqaqsh California native seed store, but I can’t be sure. It’s in a really tough spot, and something is snacking heavily on its leaves, but it has persevered. I hope more will sprout next year!

Coming soon: Buckwheat blooms! There are two California Buckwheat plants (Eriogonum fasciculatum) that have gone completely bonkers this year and grown to about 10 times their original size, maybe even bigger. One of them I planted last Fall; the other one is about a year older. Both are getting ready to flower, and I cannot wait to see them in their full glory!

It’s Clarkia time! The first of the Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) flowers have started to bloom. I love the different color variations! Some are sort of a coral red, others are purply pink, and there’s at least one with white/pale pink flowers. All originated from the Walqaqsh California native seed store. These seeds pop up everywhere I’ve tossed them, regardless of sun or soil conditions. The flowers look delicate close up, but these are TOUGH plants, and the bees love them. Even the leaves turn pretty colors!

I’ve got another busy week ahead of me because it’s time for the nursery’s native plant sale! If you’re in the Vallejo or Benicia, CA area, come on by!

Here’s the sale flyer (designed by little ol’ me):