Sunflowers and more

Below is a photograph I took when I was growing this magnificent sunflower in our front yard in Santa Fe. Bees and other pollinators loved visiting the flower and once the seeds came in the Fall a variety of birds flocked to scarf up the seeds.

                   Helianthus annuus macrocarpus
                  (Hopi Black Dye Sunflower 

   Hopi name: Tceqa' Qu' Si)

And now I have planted seeds, again in our front yard, here in Cotati. I purposefully planted the seeds near the Ukrainian flag we have "flying" on the East fence. This flower has a long history in the country symbolizing peace. Russians and Ukrainians are presently at war, however the meaning of the sunflowers as a symbol of peace has not changed. Ukrainians are encouraging the planting of sunflowers worldwide to encourage leaders once again to embrace peace. Thus I am doing my small part in supporting the Ukrainians stance for peace.

To celebrate May Day as I did as a child when we created May baskets filled with whatever early flowers were available and delivered them to

neighbors' doors, I am creating here a May basket filled with pictures of some of my favorite native flowers.

 

Berlandiera lyrata (Chocolate Flower)
Yes, the flowers really smell like chocolate!

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) 

with  Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)

 in the background.

All three of the above plants are in Todd planters and presently very quite small. They are too small, in fact,  to be set out in the ground as of yet. Shasta can hardly wait for a plethora of Echinacea as she loves grazing on the leaves finding them extremely tasty just like Zinnia leaves.

                                            Mimulus aurantiacus (Sticky monkeyflower)

                                            planted and flowering in our Cotati front yard.

Phacelia bolanderi (Bolander’s Phaceli)
flowering our Cotati front yard.

Penstemon heterophyllus
(Blue Bedder penstemon ‘Margarita BOP’)

flowering in our Cotati front yard.

Calylophus drum mondianus (Sundrops)
with a plethora of flowers in our Cotati front yard

Blue eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
in full display at Ren Brown's
garden in Bodega Bay, California.

And now to the exciting news: Saturday past I was gifted five teeny, tiny Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars. I drove to Sebastopol to pick them up. My dear friend Rob had brought in a small jelly jar the five caterpillars pictured below. It was no easy task getting them out of the jar onto one of the Pipevine's leaves. We have had an extraordinary windy day! When I recently checked I could only locate three but I am hopeful the other two are sequestered among the leaves.

As I carefully moved these precious little ones onto the healthy, vibrant Dutchman's pipevine leaves, instead of holding my breath, I have a good belly 

In Recognition of Earth Day, 2022

 Penstemon heterophyllus (Blue Bedder penstemon  ‘Margarita BOP’)

"What would the world be, once bereft

Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,

I let them be left, wildness and wet,

Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet."

                                   GERALD MANLEY HOPKINS

 Aristolochia californica (Dutchman’s pipevine)
 grows wild in the wildness of 
 California twinning up trees and
supporting the life cycle of the Pipevine Swallowtail.

                                       

The Pipevine pictured above was the only native plant on the property we bought a year ago, now known as PageRefuge. Over the almost year we have now lived here I have cared for this plant. Finally it is flourishing as you can see from the picture above. 

Presently I am wondering if it could support a caterpillar or two? My friend Rob has offered to provide them to me. I am of the mind to accept two. I know if they survive and develop into butterflies that they will lay eggs next season on the fresh, succulent leaves. The black and red caterpillars will demolish many of the leaves before pupating. I truly love watching the life cycle of this magnificent "wild" one!

Pipevine Swallowtail's chrysalis
in the greenhouse at MuRefuge.

Just emerged Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly
in the greenhouse at MuRefuge.

Showcasing, so to speak, members of the wildness here in California only seems fitting on the 2022 Earth Day.

In the foreground: three Calylophus drum mondianus (Sundrops),

then Dwight's stunning green vase,

and in the background three of the

    Penstemon heterophyllus (Blue Bedder penstemon  ‘Margarita BOP’),

all just South of the hummingbird feeder hanging 

in the window of our breakfast nook

so we can view the hummingbirds partaking of the nectar.

I have seen the hummingbirds nectaring on both of the above flowers; just as I was out and about to take the picture I heard the hum of the fast flapping wings of a hummer who dipped and zipped. To me those little bitty birds represent the toughness of the inhabitants of the "wildness and wet". 

As we each herald "long live the weeds and the wilderness", may we also  open our minds, hearts and whole BEing with a hearty belly 

 

 

Easter, 2022

Easter happens each year on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring after the Spring Equinox. So for all who are asking "why is Easter is so late this year?" that is the reason. AND unfortunately it is also happening during a disturbance "in the force" of planetary wellness/wholeness.

Soul of the Earth, sanctify me.

Body of the Earth, save me.

Blood of the Earth, fill me with love.

Water from Earth’s side, wash me.

Passion of Earth, strengthen me.

Resurrection of Earth, empower me.

Good Earth, hear me.

Within your wounds, hide me.

Never let me be separated from you.

From the power of evil, protect me.

At the hour of my death, call me

That with your living ones I may thank you

For all eternity. Amen.

                       ADAPTED BY JANE PELLOWSKI

                                                                 FROM ANIMA CHRISTI

Between Earth and Sky by Dwight Sims with
  Penstemon eatonii (‘Firecracker’ penstemon)

This sculpture has always spoken to me, perhaps because for me it calls for connection to Mother Earth as in the poem above. Dwight's sculpture figure raises her arms skyward in desire for all to awaken. Also, Joan Halifax's compassionate offering during these troubling and difficult times, especially for the Ukraine peoples led by their awesome president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calls us to awaken. 

        Offering Compassion to Ukraine and All Afflicted by War                                                                                                                                                     

                        May suffering arising from hatred be remedied.

                        May those in the grip of fear be released to the safety of understanding.

                        May those lost in confusion find relief in wisdom.

                        May those in refugee camps find their way home.

                        May those who are unsheltered find a safe harbor in community.

                        May those suffering from grief and the ravages of war find peace.

                        May those who care for the wounded and sick find support as they serve 

                             others.

                        May those who have died in the ravages of war be liberated from 

                            confusion.

                        May all awaken and awaken others.    

                                                                                                            Roshi Joan Halifax    

We here at PageRefuge have been struck by the outpouring of support for the Ukrainian peoples. There is a man in Denver, Colorado, who went to buy a Ukrainian flag only to be told it was the last one. He came home and began making, along with a multitude of family members, Ukrainian flags out of wood from pallets. All of the proceeds from selling these flags are being donated to benefit the displaced Ukrainians. And a local female teenager violin player is also raising money by playing her instrument and donating all her proceeds likewise. Then, the most touching story of compassion was of a seven year old autistic boy who wrote a letter to Putin to stop the war since so many children in Ukraine do not have a home anymore. His father sent the letter to our local NBC station. His letter was featured on the 5 o'clock program we watched Tuesday and he was interviewed. Such demonstrations of compassion is so good for each and everyone of our souls during this disturbance "in the force" of planetary wellness/wholeness                                                                               

So as we all awaken, and pray for not only the unwarranted killing to stop in Ukraine but also for peace and compassion here at home in the United States, may we

Too Late

 "The beauty of things was born before eyes 

and sufficient to itself, 

the heart breaking beauty will remain 

     when there is no heart to break for it."        

                             ROBINSON JEFFERS

This Friday past we had a lovely outing ostensibly to see the Chocolate Fritillaries in bloom at Millerton not far from Shasta's Auntie T's house, overlooking Tomales Bay in Point Reyes Station. She had told us she forayed here to see them a week or so before our outing.

Unfortunately the blooms were all dried out, as pictured above, on every single plant we saw. We were too late. BOO!

There was, however, an abundance of stunning wildflowers and we were afforded many extremely impressive views.

Taraxia ovata (Sun Cup)

Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue Eyed Grass)

Most of the coyote bushes have a lot of dead branches. There are only a few very young ones that are vibrant and green. These are near the path where they receive water run off.

Tomales Bay looking North

Tomales Bay looking a bit Westward

This sign is near the trail as we returned.

It describes the abundance of the area .

We did not see a Great Blue Heron which are abundant in the area. We did see a single Great Egret like that on the sign pictured above.

The South view of Tomales Bay is in the background. I love walking behind Shasta watching her long hairs swish . . . swish . . . swish as she walks holding her tail erect. She and Dwight are ahead of me returning to the parking lot so I could watch and enjoy! 

We had a wonderful outing. And we also did

Creating

Creating a "food forest" for both humans and other creatures that come to PageRefuge for sustenance has been the focus now that the massive task of sheet mulching was completed. The "lawn" that was here when we moved into our Cotati home was obliterated and natives were planted. Before the sheet mulching project began we applied for a lawn rebate from the City of Cotati. A month ago our yard was revisited by the city, receipts for the plants were provided, and like magic we got a $750 check in the mail. This amount pretty much covered all of the native plants I have purchased. A win-win for the City since we will drastically reduce our water consumption, especially after the first year when all the natives will be established. The natives chosen mostly have low water requirements once their roots go deeply into the soil.

The annuals that will provide food for humans are not as water wise. However the fruit trees and berry bushes, once established will not have high water demands. The strawberries will need regular water, of course.

Fruit trees 

    Apples West to East in the backyard on the West side of the raised beds: Spitzenberg (Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple), Pink Pearl, Cox Orange Pippin.

    Plum: Santa Rosa (the remaining fruit tree that was in our backyard when we bought PageRefuge).

    Planted in the front yard: Blenheim Apricot tree and Improved Meyer Lemon tree, so both are exposed to South sunshine.

Teeny, tiny but hoping it will thrive.
We frequently see when we 
walk about Cotati both lemon and orange
trees all laden with fruit in the Winter.

The fruit trees, with the exception of the lemon tree, came from Trees of Antiquity which used to be located just a bit North of where we lived and live. They have now relocated South. They ship for a reasonable fee. All trees arrive in stellar condition.

    Berries 

     Blackberry: ‘Black Satin’ Thornless x 2.   

     Raspberry: Boyne, a Summer bearing raspberry, x 2.

All of these are fully leafed out, looking quite beautiful. Will they produce luscious berries this season is the question?

Elderberry (a male and female is required for fruit): Nova, York. Both of these were purchased from Harmony Farm Supply. The latter did not leaf out so I ordered another online from McKay Nursery Company in Waterloo, Wisconsin. It arrived today (04/05/2022). I immediately planted it in the already prepared spot where I pulled out the defunct York purchased from Harmony Farm Supply. This new plant already has leaf buds beginning to open so I want it to thrive. Today was not the optimal planting day: it is a "root" planting day, not "fruit".

      Strawberries: Albion, Chandler, Seascape, Sequoia. 

The taller plant in the foreground is  
Cercis occidentalis ( Western redbud)
and the small plants are Sequoia strawberries.

I do want to share that buying bare roots from Harmony Farm Supply was not the stellar experience I had before we relocated to Santa Fe. Less than half of the strawberry bare roots actually developed into thriving green plants. This is in contrast to the Sequoia bareroots I purchased from Peaceful Valley Farm/Grow Organic.com. Everyone of these are now little green plants ready to produce delish tasting strawberries.

When I stopped at Harmony Farm Supply with my receipt of purchase I was told no refund without returning the plants . . . what? The owner said, "When you go to the grocery store you have to a return the item you want credit for." That is not my experience. If I have a spoiled container of yogurt, I get a credit to purchase another without bring the yucky yogurt back. So to end this unpleasant story just let me say I will not be shopping at Harmony Farm Supply any more.

The West most raised bed is planted with delicious lettuce which was started from Wild Garden Seed. We have been enjoying a wonderful salad with this lettuce hence the absence of lettuce heads above. On either side of the above bed are Cascadia peas which are what I think of as dual pea plants since you can harvest the pods or wait for the pods to fill out and pick the pods full of peas. Either are just fantastic to eat. I have difficulty getting them into the house and onto to the table . . . I eat them as I pick.

For the East most bed there are tomato starts just transplanted into 4" pots: Stupice, Nebula, Robbin’s Red Slicing, Silvery Fir Tree & Blue Gold plus cherry tomatoes: Snow White, California Sunshine and Chadwick’s.These will be set in to the bed in late May on a "fruit" planting day.

Sweet pepper plants: Pimento.
Seeds came from Pinetree Garden Seeds

All the while I am creating a food forest for all creatures I