Garden for the Environment

Just a few pictures I snapped yesterday on my way to a double bill of X-Men First Class and Bridesmaids at the fabulous, funky Balboa Theater that is not one of those gross megaplex chain movie theaters (my first day off from school...I wanted some very passive entertainment. Both movies were okay. You know, those super-hero movies always try to do too much, and end up rushing the character development to the point of disaster. But whatever. I think I have a crush on Michael Fassbender. Too bad his character turned so resolutely evil by the end of the movie. That could have waited until a later sequel. Bridesmaids, I think, got too built up for me. Same thing happened with Ghostbusters, the first movie I had sky-high expectations for that just ended up disappointing me. Bridesmaids was still funny. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Kristen Wiig and John Hamm. And I really liked January Jones in X-Men. Maybe I should consider watching Mad Men after all).









My blue honeywort was not so inky blue this year (Cerinthe major purpurascens). Maybe it's getting a little inbred, coming up from seed so many years in my garden. Note to self: get some new plants this fall.



Some day we'll have a bigger garden with room for a long row of alstromeria.





It's been so cold this year, and I have been so busy, that I haven't bothered with vegetables in my garden. This morning the TV weather man was talking about a cold pattern moving in... A cold pattern moving in? When in the last several weeks has it been anything else? I know the a lot of the country is roasting right now. What can I say. Come to San Francisco where it's cold and miserable.



Perfect for kale tho'.





Ever since we stayed at the Parker Palm Springs, I've been in love with the pairing of Copper Canyon daisy (Tagetes lemmonii) with aloes and agaves.



The daisy, a species of marigold, is an airy, frilly complement to the succulent's bulky, inflexible architecture. Plus, the flowers are constant and the foliage is fragrant, especially with heat.







Okay, I'm off for a little hiking today. You can sit and stay for as long as you want.

Bernalwood* Floristic Province

I am almost done with spring quarter. All I have to do is finish writing this paper that I have been working on 10 hours a day since last Friday. Right now I am so sick of it I want to throw up just thinking about it. But I am determined to finish today and wake up tomorrow unencumbered by this unpleasant weight. To clear my head for the difficult task ahead, I enjoyed my coffee on Bernal Hill this morning.



The whole Bay Area has been uncharacteristically shrouded in rain and low clouds for the last several days. Mostly chained to my desk, I have not minded this one bit.



Nor would I say have the spring bulbs.



I mean, does this flower look unhappy to you?



Or this one?



How about the whole north slope of Bernal Hill?



At one point I would have ID'd these bulbs with confidence as Brodiaea elegans, but I now cede those declarations to those who can keep up with the taxonomic progress of California's many geophytes. Besides, that's what blog comments are for.



Brodiaeas (you can say "bro-DAY-uh") are commonly available at native plant nurseries throughout California. A similar bulb, Triteleia laxa, is even more commonly available in nurseries of all kinds, sold in bags of a dozen. Books say gophers are a problem, but here they are growing with abandon on Bernal.











I think you get the idea.



Maybe just a couple more..?





So nice to see native plants holding their own amongst the crush of newcomers, like this red valerian (Centranthus ruber). This European immigrant escaped from our gardens and incorporated itself in our open space.



What are you gonna do.



Also blooming now near the small parking lot at the top of Folsom Street, a nice stand of seep monkeyflower (Mimulus gutattus). This plant lasts only as long as there is water in the ground. Like the bulbs, it will die back completely with the arrival of summer.



You can sometimes find this one in nurseries too. I know San Francisco Botanical Garden sells it seasonally. The plant looks abominable in the nursery pot, but if you have a spot with poor drainage in your garden, you might want to give it a whirl. Look at the flower.



Another native Bernal Hill has a fair amount of, hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea).



Took me awhile to get this one established in my own garden, but it now taking off and I'll probably have to start removing it in places. Gardener problems!

The big, old blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) has flowers now too. I have not tasted its berries.



It should be noted that Benal's native flora do not grow entirely without assistance. Several people tend these acres regularly to help preserve the balance. I for one am grateful.




Meanwhile, life goes on. (Note: That is something you can always say in a blog post when you are ready to transition to different content.)







There is nothing sadder than a lost cat. (Well, maybe a lost child.)

Dear kitty, please find your way home.
















The small native garden at the top of Gates Street makes a great transition from Bernal Hill the open space to Bernal Heights the neighborhood.



What a great place to let Romneya coulteri run wild.



Even more remarkable, there is a wooly blue curls here (Trichostemma lanatum). Enjoy it now, because it might not last. Many people find this one difficult to keep alive, although this dry rocky slope is the perfect place to give it a shot.



The flowers are lovely, but get a whiff of the foliage. It smells like blueberries.



If you're looking for a daytrip, the Pinnacles National Monument is a good place to see this plant locally. Sort of locally. Not really locally. A daytrip. Maybe you'll want to spend the night.



Alas, I need to go home. I have a paper to write.



This has to end.









*Finally, after many years of mine being the only Bernal blog I knew about, another Bernal Heights blog arrived on the scene last year. Its name, aptly enough, is Bernalwood. When Guy and I moved in in 2004, it very much occurred to me that Bernal Heights, with its scenic views and cosy neighborhood vibe, would be a fine setting for a movie or TV drama series. Someone should tell Hollywood.