We got 7 inches of rain in the recent storm, and more rain yesterday. Today dawned pure and clean and lovely. I read somewhere that the California spring begins after the first rains. As I was walking along our Santa Cruz Mountains ridge-top road this morning with the redoubtable Duncan, I saw plenty examples of that truth. Photographic evidence follows!
What will those seedlings grow into?
Redwoods extending their lovely branches.
Weedy grasses.
Black salvia - local native.
Turnaround point for my walk - view towards the ocean and Santa Cruz/Soquel.
Chamise.
More black sage.
Patient manzanita buds - been hanging around all year.
Stump-sprouting chamise.
OK, those acorns look like Fall I guess!
Local monkey flower, new leaves forming amid the old.
Tiny golden back fern.
Lessingia filaginifolia. Beach aster.
Yerba buena, local native.
Budbreak for Ribes indecorum, planted, locally native somewhere too.
Back home, the view has changed.
Even the stones from Sonoma came with moss that is growing.
California grape in a large pot.
Even a few seeds in my seed flats :-\
I think the above is a volunteer toyon. In a corner of the pool garden.
Trusty British garden standby!
Can't get rid of the calla lilies!
Oh No! Say it isn't so! Not the Oxalis pes-caprae!
The above two are in last year's meadow effort. I expect 90 percent weeds, 10 percent coyote brush.
Back on the front porch, the dutchman's pipe is budding and extending. I wonder if we'll get butterflies on it this year?I think you'll agree with me now. Spring has sprung!
Comments
Also, it's good to see I'm not the only hard-core native nerd that has to make a few exceptions sometimes (the snapdragon)! Enjoy the good planting weather!
Scott
I wish I had better pictures of the four cotton-tail bunnies who were hippity-hopping and touching noses with each other the other morning, right outside my window - talk about spring in the air!
On the other hand, I much prefer my garden in the spring and summer.