Trees and Vines at MuRefuge 2012

Trees and Shrubs of California by John D. Stuart and John O. Sawyer is a great guide to our trees, shrubs as well.  Vine information can be found in resources recommended in previous posts of this series.

TREES

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) 

Black Locust native to eastern US, naturalized in CA (Robinia pseudoacacia)

California Bay (Umbellularia californica)

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

*  Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus latifolia)

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga mensiesii)

Flowering Dogwood native to the Eastern US (Cornus florida)

*  Italian Alder ((Alnus cordata)

Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia)

Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana)

Red Alder (Alnus rubra)

Valley Oak ((Quercus lobata)

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

Western Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta californica)

VINES 

California Pipevine (Aristolochia californica)

*  Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Native Clematis (Clematis lasianatha)

*  ‘Roger Red’ Grape (European grape x Vitis californica)

Western Virgin’s Bower showiest of the native species (Clematis ligusticifolia)

Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula)

Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans)

Shrubs at MuRefuge 2012

My "tried and true" recommended resource for California Shrubs is Complete Garden Guide to the Native Shrubs of California by Glenn Keator.  Robert Kourik's The Lavender Garden: Beautiful Varieties to Grow and Gather is wonderful for lavender plant information.  AND enjoy seasonal lavender ice cream from Screamin' Mimi's.  MuRefuge supplies the lavender flowers picked at midday when the oils are at their height.

SHRUBS

Bearberry

‘Point Reyes’ (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

‘Radiant’ (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) 

Bush Anemone (Carpenteria californica)

California Barberry or Holly Grape (Berberis pinnata)

California Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta californica)

California Flannelbush ‘San Gabriel’ (Fremontodendron californicum)

California Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewissi)

California Sagebrush (Artemesia californica)

California Wild Liliac (Ceanothus) ‘Dark Star’ 

Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus)

‘Emily Brown’ (Ceanothus gloriosus exaltatus)

‘Yankee Point’ (Ceanothus griseus horizontalis)

‘Julia Phelps’ (Ceanothus impressus)

‘Olwswood Blue’ (Ceanothus impressus)

‘Ray Hartman’ very tall variety may be pruned to tree (Ceanothus impressus)

  ‘Skylark’ (Ceanothus thysiflorus)

‘Snow Flurry’ (Ceanothus thysiflorus)

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica)

Coast Silktassel (Garrya elliptica) 

‘Evie’

‘James Roof’ cultivar with extra long tassels

Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

Coyote Bush, Dwarf 

‘Bodega Bay’ low growing/ prostrate form (Baccharis pilularis)  

Coyote Bush, Upright (Baccharis pilularis) 

Creek Dogwood or Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)

*  English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

   ‘Hicote’

   ‘Lady’

   ‘Martha Roedrick’

   ‘Munsead’

    ‘Dutch Lavender’

Evergreen Currant (Ribes viburnifolium)

*  Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles) 

‘Hollandia’  large red flowers

‘Toyo Nishiki’  pink, white, pink & white, red all on same branch 

*  Fairy Wand 1 each with white, pale pink, deep pink flowers (Dierama pendulum) 

* Fairy Wand later blooming with burgundy flowers (Dierama pulcherimum)

Fushsia flowering Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum)

Golden Currant (Ribes aurum)

Golden Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia ‘Davis Gold’)

*  ‘Grosso’ Lavender (Lavandula dentata x intermedia)

Heartleaf Penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia)

Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Holly leaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia)

Holly leaf Redberry or Buckhorn (Rhamnus crocea)

‘Inverness White’ (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum)

Island or Catalina Cherry (Prunus lyonii)

* Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris)

Descanso hybrids: ‘Burgundy Queen’

‘Dark Night’

‘Sensation’ 

‘Victor Lemive’

‘White Angel’

Manzanita 

Common Manzanita (Arctostaphylos bakeri sublaevis)

‘Dr. Hurd’ (Arctostaphylos manzanita)

‘HowardMcMinn’planted along East side of driveway N. to S.(Arctostaphylos densiflora)

‘Louis Edmunds’ (Arctostaphylos bakeri)  

‘Lutsko’s Pink’ (Arctostaphylos. densiflora X)

‘Monica’planted East to West across driveway(Arctostaphylos densiflora X manzanita) 

‘Sentinel’ (Arctostaphylos densiflora)

Native Hawthorn (Crateaegus douglasii)

*  ‘Provence’ Lavender (Lavandula intermedia)

Ocean Spray, Cream Bush (Holodiscus discolor)

Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)

Oso Berry (Osmaronia cerasiformis)

Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica)

Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum)

*  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 

‘Ken Taylor’ (bright blue violet flowers)

‘Majorca Pink’ (lavender pink flowers)

‘Prostratus’ (Dwarf Rosemary with pale lavender blue flowers)

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

*  Sea Tomato bright red tomato shaped rose hips/fruit (Rosa rugosa)

Service Berry or June Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Shasta Snow Wreath (Neviusia cliftsonii)

Snowdrop Bush ((Styrax redivius)

Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)

Toyon or California Holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Twinberry Honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata)

Western Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus)

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

Westernn Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis)

Western Spiraea (Spiracea douglasii)

*  Washington Thorn native to the SE U.S. (Crateaegus phaenopyrum)

Wood rose (Rosa gymnocarpa)

Perennials at MuRefuge 2012

The most frequent resource I use for California perennials: Complete Garden Guide to the Native Perennials of California by Glenn Keator.  And my favorite garden design book is Designing California Native Gardens: the Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook.

PERENNIAL

Alumroot

Island Alumroot (Heuchera maxima) 

‘Martha Roderick’ (Heuchera micrantha)

Shaggy Alumroot (Heuchera pilosissima)

Beach Aster (Erigeron glaucus) 

Bee Plant (Scrophularia californica)

Bluff Angelica (Angelica hendersonii)

Bolander’s Phacelia (Phacelia bolanderi) 

Buckwheat

Coast Buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium)

Flat top buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

Red Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. rubescens

St. Catherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum)

*  Bush Morning Glory (Ipomoea supp.)

Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)

California Aster as well as dwarf ‘Point Saint George’ (Aster chilense)

California Goldenrod (Solidago californica)

California Fuchsia (Epolibium c. Carman’s Gray & Calistoga)

California Mugwort (Artemesia douglasiana)

California Rockcress (Arabis blepharophylla)

California Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima californica)

Cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis)

Coastal Mugwort (Artemisia suksdorfii)

Coastal Plantain (Plantago subnuda)

Coastal Poppy (Eschscholzia californica var. californica)

Coastal Wall Flower (Erysimum concinnum)

Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa ‘Russian River’)

Deerbroom, Deerbrush or Deerweed (Lotus scoparium)

Evening Primrose, yellow (Oenothera hooheri)

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

Fringe Cups (Tellima grandiflora)

Gumplant

Beach Gum Daisy (Grindelia arenicola)

Salt Marsh Gumplant (Grindelia stricta)

*  Jonquils, Mixed Fragrant (Narcissius jonquilla) 

Lupine

Blue Bush Lupine (Lupinus albifrons)

Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus)

Mallow

Oregon Mallow (Sidalcea candida)

Point Reyes Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa rhizomata)

Matilija Poppy (Romney coulteri)

*  Mexican Lobelia (Lobelia laxiflora) 

Milkweed

Coastal or Narrow leaf Milkweed (Aesclepias fascicularis)

Davis Showy Milkweed (Aesclepias speciosa)

Indian Milkweed (Aesclepias eriocarpa)

Purple Milkweed (Aesclepias cordifolia)

Monkeyflower 

Golden Monkeyflower (Mimulus gluttatus)

Sticky Monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus)

Penstemon

Blue Bedder, Blue Springs, Margarita & Margarita BOP (Penstemon heterophyllus)  

Pink Wild Snapdragon (Penstemon palmeri)

Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius)

Showy Penstemon (Penstemon spectobilis)

Yellow Bush Penstamon (Keckiella antirrhinoides var. antirrhinoides)

*  Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum with red, salmon, white, yellow flowers)j

Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

Sage, Salvia

‘Bee’s Bliss’ (Salvia leucophylla x S. clevelandii)

Brandegee’s Sage native to Santa Barbara Channel & Baja California (Salvia brandegei)

*  Cherry Sage bought from Wayward Gardens (Salvia microphylla)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)

*  Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)

*  Pineapple Sage (Salvia. elegans)

*  Roseleaf Sage (Salvia involucrata)

White Sage (Salvia apiana)

Shasta Fern (Polystichum lemmonii)

Soap Lily (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)  grows as a perennial at MuRefuge

*  Sunflower, a wild species (Helianthus maximillianii)

*  Tuberose, single blossom from my grandmother’s garden in Iowa (Polianthes tuberosa)

*  Water lily, yellow flowering (Nymphaea)

Western Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Yarrow

Rosy Yarrow (Achillea roseum)

White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Yampah (Perideridia)

Annuals at MuRefuge 2012

Informational resources for California native annuals: http://www.larnerseeds.com/  as well as their printed catalog.  Both have great descriptions for the annual native seeds they sell.

ANNUALS

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Bird’s Eye Gilia (Gilia tricolor)

Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla)

Coast Lotus (Lotus formosissimus) 

*  Day of the Dead or Cempoalxochitl Marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena)

Five Spot (Nemophilia maculata)

Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata)

Goldfields (Lasthenia glabrata)

Grand Linanthus (Linanthus grandiflorus)

Indian Lettuce, Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)

Meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii)

*  Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Mountain Garland (Clarkia unguiculata)

Mountain Phlox (Linanthus grandiflorus)

Peppermint Candy Flower (Claytonia sibirica)

Tansy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Tidy Tips (Layia platyglossa)

White Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) 

Arrival of Spring with the Recent Cross Quarter Day

With the arrival of Spring on February 1, the first cross quarter day, Imbolc, of the Celtic year, we here at MuRefuge have noticed much wildlife (foxes, raccoons, possums, deer, birds and butterflies) activity.  Dwight celebrated the arrival of Spring taking the pictures below, except the one of the California Pipevine and of course Laugh.

The pair of resident foxes in the open space South of MuRefuge

Last week we had a record breaking warm day.  With the greenhouse door shut as it is this time of the year, the inside is very toasty.  When I opened up the door to check on all the seedlings need for a drink, this recently emerged butterfly provided an awesome aaaahh.

Pipevine Swallowtail 

Emptied chrysalis beneath the greenhouse vent

Usually when the Pipevine Swallowtails emerge there are lush, succulent new leaves on which to lay eggs where when hatched the caterpillars have abundant food plant to munch upon.  Alas, with our freezing nights most of December and January, even now in February, the Pipevine remains a tangle of vines without leaves.

March, 2007, blooming California Pipevine (Aristolochia californica)

I have seen the Pipevine Swallowtail flitting about in search of nectar and a mate.  The former is available here at MuRefuge, alas not so the latter.  


While the below flowering shrubs are not nectar for the Pipevine Swallowtail, the resident Anna's Hummingbirds can be seen drinking their fill from these two flowers.

Fushsia flowering Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum)

Blooming ‘Lutsko’s Pink’ (Arctostaphylos. densiflora X

 Coast Silktassel 'Evie' (Garrya elliptica) 

This gorgeous Silktassel picture was taken before the recent wimpy rains occurred.  There was just enough rain and wind to tarnish the vibrancy of the blooms.

To limit the snails and slugs in the backyard, aka Rose's running space, while Rose is napping in the afternoons, the ducks have free range of the area.  They seem to love to rest beneath the swing.  The tangles behind the swing have now been drastically pruned back.  The Twinberry, Red twig Dogwood and Spice Bush hedgerow has been slowly creeping Northward since the initial planting in the mid90's.  This is the first time such drastic pruning has taken place which opens up ground space. Seeds from Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) this Summer will be gathered and started in Todd planters then planted out next Fall. Perhaps a couple of Wood Roses will be added too.  For enjoyment later this Spring native annuals already sprouting in Todd planters will reside in the space.

MuRefuge's resident female Indian Runners
the youngest Chocolate duck in now giving us 1 egg a day

Please share your Spring experiences while you 

2012 Year of the Water Dragon

Dwight's photo taken at the Imperial Palace, Fall, 1998

This past week we spent a day in San Francisco.  I noticed much indication of the month long new year celebration for the Chinese living there.  January 23, 2012 began a once in 60 year cycle, the Year of the Water Dragon, and will culminate in the annual Chinese New Year Parade.  We love watching it on TV.  

In our usual annual fashion we attended the Marin side presentation by Lui Ming, a euro-American studying for four decades the sacred that resides in the Pacific Rim.  http://www.dayuancircle.com/  His some three hour long talk is presented with lightness and humor offering a way of settling into the energy flow of the ensuing Chinese year.

My friend Lynette's blog entry, Remembering 2011 and Creating 2012, 

http://www.menopausegoddessblog.com/2011/12/29/remembering-2011-and-creating-2012-a-menopause-goddess-guide/ stirred up my thoughts about “new year” which for some is celebrated at Winter Solstice, for others it is the beginning a “new calendar year” in the good ole US of A, and for still others it is the Chinese New Year.                  

A year, however one defines it, is filled with challenges and conscious decision making, gifts, acts of generosity and love.  Our past year here at MuRefuge was about letting go and clearing out.  "Awake" attention and intention to clear out what no longer works and to review the letting go of one year to allow the flow of the next has become a practice for me.  All of us here at MuRefuge are ready to embrace the more than ample qi in this Year of the Water Dragon. 

I would be grateful to hear of your annual rituals, practices and preparations for a new year.  And

Grasses, Sedges and other Monocots at MuRefuge 2012

California native unless marked * for nonnative aka alien

GRASSES, SEDGES and other Monocots

an ideal resource Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: 

Gardening with California Monocots 

Nora Harlow and Kristin Jakob, editors

Blue eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) 

Blue Wildrye Grass (Elymus glaucus)

  

California Black Flowering Sedge (Carex nudata)

California Fescue (Festuca californica) in estivation 
with blooming California Fuschia

California Field Sedge (Carex praegracilis)

California Meadow Sedge (Carex pansa)

California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica)

Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)

Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) both native and hybrids

     as well as Oregon Iris (Iris tenax) 

     and "Bridgeport Iris" (Iris ?)

Idaho (Festuca idahoensis)

June Grass (Koeleria cristata)

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), newly planted and with Tidy Tips blooming

Native Rush (Juncas patens)

Nodding Needlegrass (Nassella cernua)

Purple Needlegrass (Nassella pulchra)

Slender or Bearded Wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulis)

Yellow eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum)