California poppy leaves

In the drought tolerant portion of my garden (that is, the no-watering zone), the California poppies have self-seeded as I have noted in the past. Today, I admired their delicate fronds.

California poppy seedlings emerging

Here's one of my California poppy seedlings, here this year strictly on a volunteer basis. Even better, I don't water them at all, and so they are the drought tolerant part of my winter garden.

California wildflower: Douglas iris

For those in southern California, who wouldn't want one of these in their garden? Shade tolerant, drought resistant and stunning. These are from the Theodore Payne Foundation.

California poppy sprouting

I have been like Johnny Appleseed these last few weeks and dispersed some of my California poppy seeds which I have collected. I don't know what subspecies these are but they are the yellow variants which grow in my garden. Family Papaveraceae, species Eschscholzia californica. These are drought-tolerant but they seem to need rain to kick them off to a good start, which we've had. It's also been chilly for us, which is around 40 F at the worst. It seems they like the colder weather for germinating.

I find poppy seedlings to be distinctive, with the two-pronged needle like cotyledons. You can see the more classic feathery look emerging. They seem to like disturbed soil. I also find they seem to pop up after a winter rain, classic fire ecology traits for living in the chapparal, our native flora.

local hike in the santa monica mountains

There be flowers blooming though these are native plants placed by either the state park or the local conservancy along the hiking trail. I love how the setting sun highlights these Matilija poppies. Family: Papaveraceae, Genus: Romneya. These perennial tree poppies are good for drought tolerant plantings. I was told these can be difficult to start but once they take, they grow like mad. My neighbors call them the eggs sunny side up flower.

These cute furry tips are likely to be the seed pod.

These flannelbush plants, now flowering, were also planted by the state park or local conservancy. Family: Malvaceae, Genus: Fremontodentron. Needless to say, these native plants are also great for water conserving gardens.

Amazingly enough, there is still running water, albeit algae-ridden, at the top of the hiking trail. It is still shady and green along parts of this hike.

Native California plants in bloom

I would say these photos fall in the better late than never category.

These are from April of this year, the peak for these blooms. I have a corner of my plot devoted to drought resistant plants, fancy word for the plants I don't water.

The Douglas iris and yellow-eyed grass were from the Theodore Payne Foundation. For those in the southern california region who are eager to buy California native plants, this is the place to go. To get a feel for what they offer, here is a list of their nursery inventory. What is helpful is that, on their grounds, the plants are divided into habitats. If you are interested in plants who grow well in shade and drought-tolerant, they do have plants set aside that will do well in that habitat.

Douglas iris, Family Iridaceae, Iris douglasiana The Douglas iris is considered ok for shade and are drought tolerant. Absolutely gorgeous.

Hiking, I've encountered Blue-eyed grass more often. From the Theodore Payne Foundation, here is Yellow-eyed grass, Family , Sisyrinchium californicumThe yellow-eyed grass grows well in shade but needs more water.

California poppy, Family Papaveraceae, Escholtzia californicum. This variant is cream colored, and I have been collecting seeds for this one. This is not from the Theodore Payne Foundation. I don't know the name of the variant.

Here is their wiki on native plants, accessible in three different ways, via common name, family name or Latin name.

Spring in Southern California

I've heard it said that our seasons in Southern California are opposite of what is considered traditional for North America. Our season of green of winter and spring, with summer and fall when our landscape goes brown, follow our rainfall pattern.

Redbud bloom, Family Fabaceae, Cercis sp.

Fields of mustard, non-native Brassica
Family Brassicaceae

Ceanothus in bloom.
Family Rhamnaceae, Ceanothus sp.

Another ceanothus in bloom, family Rhamnaceae, Ceanothus sp.

I think this is phacelia, Family Hydrophyllaceae. I don't have my botany books on hand.