Last Sunday morning Matti, Max and I hit up Fort Funston about four miles south of our place for some wildflower hunting. Thanks to Anni J. at Annie’s, know that the above clump of round yellow blooms is Abronia latifolia, or Sand Verbena. It’s very succulenty. According to Las Pilitas Nursery it likes to be really, really close to the beach, like a couple hundred feet from the surf close. It’s also the sole food source for the almost endangered Copablepharon fuscum or Sand Verbena moth.
Dudleya farinosa
This is why we really came to Fort Funston. It’s Dudleya flowering season which means you can actually find them via their red stems and flowers all over the place. Sweet! Pretty sure these are all Dudleya farinosa. We saw some less frosty green guys, too.
Cirsium occidentale
One of the coolest things about being the plant sign maker at Annie’s is seeing plants I’ve only read about in the wild for the first time. The even cooler part is being able to identify them. This Cirsium is one of those plants. Here are a few more favorites from the wander around.
Coast Paintbrush - Castilleja affinis
Erigeron glaucus
Camissonia cheiranthifolia, I think.
Mystery Ferns
Anyone know what these sand/sun loving ferns are?
Happy Dog Max
Fort Funston’s still full of tons of beachy blooms. It’s chock full of Eriogonums in all shapes and sizes, and oh yeah it’s also an off-leash dog park so bring the puppy. You can check out all our Fort Funston pics are here, including many of Matti looking super excited.
Happy June Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day! We’ve never had so many bloomiferous happenings out back before. A big shout out to Annie’s Annuals for offering a plant employee discount so generous I’ve tried out TONS of plants I never would have given a shot. My current fave that’s covered in buds and blooms is Calceolaria integrifolia ‘Kentish Hero’. How can you not love the freaky lip like orange blooms? I apologize in advance for the mass quantities of flower pictures.
Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird'
This is my first year growing Papavers. My favorite is hands down Papaver commutatum ‘Ladybird’. I’m sad to report that our Papaver ‘Greek‘ died an early death due to a gopher incident we’d like to forget, but it was pretty for the few weeks we had with it. This one’s safe and sound in a container.
Papaver 'Drama Queen'
Named appropriately, Papaver ‘Drama Queen’ almost got eaten by the gopher, too! I definitely would have staked this puppy if I knew how big and floppy it was going to be. The gopher action right next to it didn’t help the situation, along with the RAIN IN JUNE. I think I’m going to replace it with Dahlias this weekend. It’s squashing stuff.
Bulbine bloom
Gosh darn it. I forget which one this is. Love that it has peachy orange blooms.
Delphinium belladonna 'Bellamosum'
I was curious to see if Delphinium belladonna ‘Bellamosum’ could hack it in the cold, windy, foggy Outer Sunset. It went a wee bit sideways, but still pretty.
Fuchsia 'Fanfare'
The fuchsias are all freaking out, but ‘Fanfare’ is freaking out with wild abandon. It’s kind of out of control. Most of the canes are at least ten feet tall flopping all over the place. If I had carefully read the description I would have seen, “I have seen it espaliered to fill up the entire side of a house”. Wholly crap! I’ve been chopping it back a little to promote some bushiness. Maybe it’s just going through it’s gawky stage?
Fuchsia Mystery
Here’s the mystery fuchsia. It’s been looking kind of sick (yellow leaves), but still busting out flowers. My best guess is that it’s getting sunburned. In the winter this side of the yard gets almost no direct light. The blue stuff is a Cerinthe major purpurascens seedling we let stick around.
Scyphanthus elegans
Scyphanthus elegans is a cute little vine from Chile. I planted Eccremocarpus scaber ‘Cherry Red’ next to it and they’re just starting to play with each other. I just realized they’re both Chilean. We have TONS of Eccremocarpus scaber ‘Tresco Gold’ from reseeding action on our shady side. It’s one of my favorite plants. The hummingbirds go crazy.
Clarkia concinna
Clarkia concinna gives the native section a little splash o’ pink. The native middle section continues to rock.
Poppy Attack!
Caterpillars have been having a ball with the California poppy blooms. This weekend I watched as flocks of little birds came in and went to town on the little flower eaters.
Camissonia cheiranthifolia
Still loving California native Camissonia cheiranthifolia. The flower action never ends. I’m going to shut up now, and post more pictures since it’s getting late.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Barry Dare' & Friends
Nemophila menziesii 'Penny Black' with cresting Graptopetalum
Phygelius capensis ‘Magenta’
Echium plantagineum with Scabiosa & friends
Cestrum newellii
Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel'
Check out May Dreams Gardens for blooms all over the world. Happy Bloom Day!
Way back in January we went a little California native crazy in our “center bed” (giant sand pit that was stuffed with Senecio mandraliscae and other wayward succulents). Dang I’m glad we did. Things are starting to get exciting in … Continue reading →
