tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901179921152364642024-03-13T04:41:03.860-07:00Pennsylvania Street GardensAll about our adventures in gardening on the patch of land at Pennsylvania and 18th streets in San Francisco, where the Mariposa St off-ramp curves around onto Pennsylvania Avenue.Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.comBlogger1174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-28021406124873064892023-12-04T12:27:00.000-08:002023-12-04T12:27:17.705-08:00It's been a while<p>We've had workdays, we've rescheduled workdays, but we've been there - cleaning, pruning, picking trash and planting plants. Life has just been too busy to post much about it!<br /></p><p>Here are some photos from recently months. Recently planted 7 <i>Agave filifera</i> - three were stolen 2 weeks later. Planted 6 <i>Echium pininana</i> - they're doing great. The vine on the arch died so we removed it. The Hakea needed to be removed, and Chris set about it!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzoe3CeyYL4cB5WdY6LjQd3OL9SMdqCNviK8EtIxWkRONwy72R3hWBaQy918HmNOgLm9WAb_43MfBd8s0a2ZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSKT1Nw39Ueva0moqHEgiWr2SUsNrfDl4dbvrRmwWhH54Ix-XvWnpgCeovHJCR52ci1ZG5JvnrJeoQsU8k4AWBQOMhBU-EwmBsaKO7U3L0E9aaIHV_y0z2ixCzX5fRq-QHiwueIGHXeGAFTP_wfRfRXngb_5dIC9ioIqUdIGq2u305L3443QwNSXZtE0P/s4032/arch%20before.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj-IQVr3BTAW5G5Q92iBttVpPeFtR3vxCBlPNT189seoZZjsyMUy9M7yBhWXVZ3RcEuO3ep__7fh3fXwXiSmpZVG7zp5Te1rIXxaONkdRR3tJfGCndfNAtdsylzEmQf2BVzpG_35oP2iXMZx0HLLH_AaY_hEZBDzJSvh9d46nN1vFJRsgqWmxYI0gQzCT/s4032/agave%20filifera.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj-IQVr3BTAW5G5Q92iBttVpPeFtR3vxCBlPNT189seoZZjsyMUy9M7yBhWXVZ3RcEuO3ep__7fh3fXwXiSmpZVG7zp5Te1rIXxaONkdRR3tJfGCndfNAtdsylzEmQf2BVzpG_35oP2iXMZx0HLLH_AaY_hEZBDzJSvh9d46nN1vFJRsgqWmxYI0gQzCT/w300-h400/agave%20filifera.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rNIKDZeYRXqUYjAvyXVMY_xzIzXQ2bzyY9PsiLAeURoVIaKtG5lgoToJAWyWmV5859dFfTHl8RNPsgoTffo_vjvFZ9zxZr_mjumXwna-EhubnNxBfl6q9k_7QhU0nl3ZHENbr6NQlj6yhD9khnrCKW9GEvixsDKMipNfulsJTbNbLjxA3P6ENdV_NdVM/s4032/bill.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rNIKDZeYRXqUYjAvyXVMY_xzIzXQ2bzyY9PsiLAeURoVIaKtG5lgoToJAWyWmV5859dFfTHl8RNPsgoTffo_vjvFZ9zxZr_mjumXwna-EhubnNxBfl6q9k_7QhU0nl3ZHENbr6NQlj6yhD9khnrCKW9GEvixsDKMipNfulsJTbNbLjxA3P6ENdV_NdVM/w300-h400/bill.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-72989913743661959362023-03-01T10:26:00.001-08:002023-03-01T10:26:34.482-08:00Wildlife Profile: California Slender Salamander<ul>
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</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgRym2I_l_f0SWNQGRwo5L21dI9JcV24xm-_xM5Scffyhti3EeaMpAfzPUAZ8RDCu7T3pYiG1HNB2p83UnBpf8TH2B6_mrkh0Xi_nbzgBWbpsS3xr-hpsOqO9V0rfflK-0iA7AcgJbTw6oGfLVL_1X8FAYaVWxXZ6mfyskn5c8lOktv0XZleqbVn2BQ/s500/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgRym2I_l_f0SWNQGRwo5L21dI9JcV24xm-_xM5Scffyhti3EeaMpAfzPUAZ8RDCu7T3pYiG1HNB2p83UnBpf8TH2B6_mrkh0Xi_nbzgBWbpsS3xr-hpsOqO9V0rfflK-0iA7AcgJbTw6oGfLVL_1X8FAYaVWxXZ6mfyskn5c8lOktv0XZleqbVn2BQ/w200-h200/IMG_0295.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Is it a worm? Is it a tiny snake?! No! It's a California Slender Salamander. A resident species at Pennsylvania Garden, at first I thought we had tiny little snakes but was excited to learn that they are in fact a lungless salamander, and a very cute one at that.<br />
<br />
<b>Name: </b>California Slender Salamander (<i>Batrachoseps attenuatus</i>) <br />
<b>Class: </b>Amphibian<br /><b>Length:</b> 7-13cm, 5.5"<br /><b>Geographical Distribution:</b> The coastal mountain areas of Northern California, a small part of the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, California, in patches of the northern Central Valley of California, and in extreme southwestern Oregon. <br />
<br />
<span class="a">In the right places - that is, shady, moist gardens, woodlands and forests - this salamander can be easily found. Especially at night, when you'll see them walking around during or after heavy rains in the winter and spring. Turn over a rock at PG or PRG and you're pretty likely to see one, at first coiled up but suddenly squirming away as it tries to escape being seen. </span><p></p><p><span class="a">They look like tiny brown or black snakes, or even worms, but you'll see four miniature legs that are a dead giveaway to ID them. And while they have tiny legs, they have no lungs at all.</span>They breathe through their skin, in fact.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AJP9VKOTf13ZhclD0Q0QdOoqQ7b5fbDMjwnoqH0YSNIQzHWs0Ds1AfOJ2p8srsK8suCwEYbKvGBRx5ZSVDkfKkVhkyve0Jf2pVBNK3KQDS38CHZjn86rdTx77KzJHgcmKCXP6YBzYtpjmZqwrGkU_-CFSGDoptdbn6cTa4ZrUQ8r-xWvKiAY0qe9DA/s1600/IMG_9544.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AJP9VKOTf13ZhclD0Q0QdOoqQ7b5fbDMjwnoqH0YSNIQzHWs0Ds1AfOJ2p8srsK8suCwEYbKvGBRx5ZSVDkfKkVhkyve0Jf2pVBNK3KQDS38CHZjn86rdTx77KzJHgcmKCXP6YBzYtpjmZqwrGkU_-CFSGDoptdbn6cTa4ZrUQ8r-xWvKiAY0qe9DA/w150-h200/IMG_9544.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>Another oddity is that their red blood cells don't have a nucleus. In general, red blood cells in mammals lack a cell nucleus when mature, and the red blood cells of other vertebrates have nuclei. The only known exceptions are salamanders of the genus <i>Batrachoseps</i> like the Slender Salamander, and fish of the genus <i>Maurolicus</i>. <br /><p></p><p><span class="a">If you try to pick one up, do be careful of their tails, which they can detach in order to escape. Don't worry - they will grow back, but it's certainly not ideal for them to be always growing tails... <br /></span></p><p><span class="a">These salamanders lay eggs</span> as early as December.
Clutches contain approximately five to twenty eggs, but five
to ten different females may use the exact same egg laying site. Hatching around March or April, and in their 7-10 year lifespan they can grow to 5.5" long.</p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-67418963198682292972023-02-13T13:30:00.001-08:002023-02-13T13:30:00.184-08:00Garden Conservancy Open Days<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaY-Veky-PoBsoH222jLPEH7OTKvqMzECKafAyk2lfuI1eQGRssbgWnucyvv2-f7MLMNVDN1XLYW4FkV2zhP-Sj8NrkuK7GubEj_aT3M20tURzZDPPrZRg92OzCxXYa6HfJpSxrAcoat5MrFzSERqw-lPkkV3ta7bvcAg03iMCVyfDHR5g3Ja-ADLVg/s400/square_logo-f8bce7a61430728e4bc15fc68041774ba9ab7cad566a1a8f905665629037dd06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="400" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaY-Veky-PoBsoH222jLPEH7OTKvqMzECKafAyk2lfuI1eQGRssbgWnucyvv2-f7MLMNVDN1XLYW4FkV2zhP-Sj8NrkuK7GubEj_aT3M20tURzZDPPrZRg92OzCxXYa6HfJpSxrAcoat5MrFzSERqw-lPkkV3ta7bvcAg03iMCVyfDHR5g3Ja-ADLVg/w200-h199/square_logo-f8bce7a61430728e4bc15fc68041774ba9ab7cad566a1a8f905665629037dd06.png" width="200" /></a></div>We're <a href="https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days/garden-directory/pennsylvania-street-gardens" target="_blank">featured</a> in the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program! The mission of The Garden Conservancy is to "preserve, share, and
celebrate America's gardens and diverse gardening traditions for the
education and inspiration of the public."<p></p><p>During their Open Days you can tour private gardens and hidden gems all over the USA. A little about the open days from <a href="https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days" target="_blank">their website</a>:</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><blockquote>Fueling America’s passion for gardens,
The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program annually celebrates the
country’s most exciting, creative, and innovative private gardens. Open
Days is made up of a nationwide community of gardeners and garden
enthusiasts teaching and inspiring each other and the public. From
expert to novice, there is no better way to improve as a gardener than
by experiencing a diverse range of gardens, and gardening traditions,
firsthand. </blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can get tickets to the private gardens on their website, but of course our garden is always open, and always free. When's the last time you visited? Drop by and see what's up!<br /></span></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-84872890452844065762023-02-04T20:15:00.004-08:002023-02-07T09:12:11.398-08:00Rainy volunteer day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHmSuh2KXwzbPegXIIyjUNF13rz0ZYr1wvB60fOc6YX8BrxjGp2a3cuo09fJxjyUyl9E6G0C4biM_x_0wPJCqGo9slid9YVv1diVmG8zKAKRhPThrKhShurtOGZHKItD8ZGnOlBb4AK8OcwfQxbHoUQH9xtxnYQkscc-HE9DNDpWjBgkz8N-ffLOsKg/s3284/IMG_9729.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3284" data-original-width="2463" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHmSuh2KXwzbPegXIIyjUNF13rz0ZYr1wvB60fOc6YX8BrxjGp2a3cuo09fJxjyUyl9E6G0C4biM_x_0wPJCqGo9slid9YVv1diVmG8zKAKRhPThrKhShurtOGZHKItD8ZGnOlBb4AK8OcwfQxbHoUQH9xtxnYQkscc-HE9DNDpWjBgkz8N-ffLOsKg/w150-h200/IMG_9729.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Our volunteer day today had rain in the schedule, but really it was a light mist so no big deal. <b>Matt</b> and I planted three <i>Agave parryi ssp truncata</i> and I weeded... something we're all going to need to do a lot more of soon! <p></p><p><b>Chris</b> joined us and planted five <i>Artemisia</i> "Powis Castle", and then worked on removing an <i>Agave salmiana</i> that had flowered. It was a big job and he was <strike>mostly successful!</strike> completely successful in freeing it from the dirt, although the darn thing is so heavy we're going to need help moving it from that spot.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjQDvgm9es1v8bzRQDmnOr2ltP7vsmmPw29B1TjLN64at04KwoPUFE_QhQLfquY4YCYpFORzBmHy-EQH5cDcTjfVI7KBOkrZq80NmwOhR3lBE3Q6UZAHiilGiJ7XbRHr3VJZvDmZ3HX046KkM-0nDJXJWoCLw9klvEhPabEPwv64mPi2K1l5eXnb5PA/s2048/7841034A-1712-4380-8176-1213C75F75B6.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjQDvgm9es1v8bzRQDmnOr2ltP7vsmmPw29B1TjLN64at04KwoPUFE_QhQLfquY4YCYpFORzBmHy-EQH5cDcTjfVI7KBOkrZq80NmwOhR3lBE3Q6UZAHiilGiJ7XbRHr3VJZvDmZ3HX046KkM-0nDJXJWoCLw9klvEhPabEPwv64mPi2K1l5eXnb5PA/w200-h200/7841034A-1712-4380-8176-1213C75F75B6.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Matt and I then went down to PRG and planted five <i>Agave parrasana</i> and seven <i>Muhlenbergia capillaris</i> - a lovely grass with fluffy pink flowers in the fall. <b>Sarah</b> joined us and cut back some <i>Salvia leucantha</i> that really needed it on one of the BRC's too!<br /><p></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-44071146735182912362023-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:002023-02-01T09:05:00.193-08:00Checkup and propagation<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJA8sgzqfsPTIyyZ99tk8jbpLchFIl0LfQkJnzUxF21zJUw_SbZzWEnYMLFgRu1eJNvRWehTmDCWdtWj_RbD1cblfPBGHF8L1FKYLSh12PDdi9Knfv7-8k3BEnR0BSCjCtCs8xj3FeW4GBBNHnN4R65nAuDAOkl7v4cW1q0zETBks1svKTOZxtHi_Ew/s525/cb137bf17ada7c16d0c33b4d8c4e1c77.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="525" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJA8sgzqfsPTIyyZ99tk8jbpLchFIl0LfQkJnzUxF21zJUw_SbZzWEnYMLFgRu1eJNvRWehTmDCWdtWj_RbD1cblfPBGHF8L1FKYLSh12PDdi9Knfv7-8k3BEnR0BSCjCtCs8xj3FeW4GBBNHnN4R65nAuDAOkl7v4cW1q0zETBks1svKTOZxtHi_Ew/w200-h133/cb137bf17ada7c16d0c33b4d8c4e1c77.jpeg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>Matt</b> and I went to PRG on Sunday to harvest some plants. Our <i>Cortaderia selloana</i> "Gold Band" and "Silver Comet" plants are very hard to come by because California has banned the sale of pampas grass. Why? Well it's a horribly invasive plant and very difficult to get rid of. However, these variegated hybrids are sterile, meaning they don't produce viable seeds - not a single one in all these years! So if we want more, we have to dig up parts of the plants and propagate them.<p></p><p>After we were done wrestling with the sharp-leaved plants, I chatted with <b>Joe</b> who is always out weeding and picking trash. PRG would not look like it does today without his help! What a guy,</p><p>I spent some time cleaning up trash at PG after that, and weeding a little, and then it was time for lunch. On the way home I called in the dumpster that has been sitting on the street at PRG for many months to try and get Recology to take it away. I also called in the pile of trash I found at PG and brought to the curb. Lots to do. We also have loads of plants to go in the ground at our next volunteer day: come help!<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-3814078633576976532023-01-31T14:44:00.004-08:002023-01-31T14:44:57.059-08:00Plant Profile: Euphorbia lambii<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR6jMNUh2wVkkGjnr5zTF9Q4ILTSh_V4NZc0-OdghvWKYwSU_8Ffta_L8RULwm-JtzQ7tfCNqo85psSL4QUP-ucC5iLCa2U0BeOWg6qZETPKA8eyh-l0US5Kv3ZPtYI1rGhEPY8VY9zWvVk_0qbGmbx7-RUX-N2i-0fcr6XbhCFMOU_Fgw29jZX2Wow/s4032/lambii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR6jMNUh2wVkkGjnr5zTF9Q4ILTSh_V4NZc0-OdghvWKYwSU_8Ffta_L8RULwm-JtzQ7tfCNqo85psSL4QUP-ucC5iLCa2U0BeOWg6qZETPKA8eyh-l0US5Kv3ZPtYI1rGhEPY8VY9zWvVk_0qbGmbx7-RUX-N2i-0fcr6XbhCFMOU_Fgw29jZX2Wow/w150-h200/lambii.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Latin name:</b> <i>Euphorbia lambii</i><span class="st"> </span> ("yew-FOR-bee-ah LAM-bee-eye")<br />
<b>Common name:</b> Tree Euphorbia<br />
<b>Originally from:</b> The island of Gomera in
the Canary Islands<br />
<b>Blooms:</b> Covered in chartreuse bracts that look like flowers in early spring<br />
<b>Light:</b> Full sun to shade.<br />
<b>Water:</b> Winter rain is enough.<br />
<b>Height x width:</b> 6-10' x 6-10'<br />
<b>Zones:</b> 9b to 12<br />
<b>Where to find in P. Garden:</b> We have several at PG, and lots and lots of seedlings. None at PRG, despite trying!<p></p><p>The genus <i>Euphorbia</i> is a wacky one. Plants in the genus can be shrubs, ground covers, cacti or even trees like this one - a succulent, weird looking mini tree. So easy to grow in the Bay Area - in fact, it seeds around so there will be plenty to share. You wonder why there aren't more to be seen!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWmCcLhRa0z4lHY1mBh1kN5ocoTtpSYdaer2LHTDnhVWf0WxB4SsQSpKqiIuqw8XMW7Ap27Kqj5fMJ8N9dUDW_OLNBQCQ11zGohTahMznNB8Hhqm2EtjeJP21DVueBF1geZyzD8ERcCcONig221rULhrH_3cLrcOTbr_XiAWpV8hEDD2pI6UpREEFMQ/s1856/IMG_9345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1856" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWmCcLhRa0z4lHY1mBh1kN5ocoTtpSYdaer2LHTDnhVWf0WxB4SsQSpKqiIuqw8XMW7Ap27Kqj5fMJ8N9dUDW_OLNBQCQ11zGohTahMznNB8Hhqm2EtjeJP21DVueBF1geZyzD8ERcCcONig221rULhrH_3cLrcOTbr_XiAWpV8hEDD2pI6UpREEFMQ/w200-h200/IMG_9345.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>With a beautiful form, all the smooth branches rise up symmetrically and are covered in pom-poms of blue-green leaves, which develop even more pom-poms of chartreuse green flower bracts in early spring. Then, if you sit by an <i>e. lambii</i> on a hot day in summer you can hear it pinging it's seeds around as the pods split open.<p></p><p>During the heat of summer and fall it will drop a few leaves and the pom-poms get smaller (not a bad look!) but as soon as we get winter rain this little tree always burst into lusciousness again.<br /></p><p>It's not a long-lived plant, with 10-15 years being average, but it needs no additional water and is very adaptable in our area. Hard
frost will kill it - it is hardy only down to about 25 to 30 degrees - but it's easy to relocate a baby to the greenhouse or inside for safe keeping if a frost threatens. Like all <i>Euphorbias</i>, do avoid the white sap which can be very irritating to eyes and
skin. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pb4p088R8vClE4z73fG1cWyt6KTjnFvDjulSuRpnKTAj6REz6O2-7zN20xW_UHHiudp5fXBwLba2AiaN1Wa18le5mLQmUtx4LP0Z-VbZjeiNA9XxKB50SPHeQrF3izdM5DOs5I_O4QktWV6gzBCx0k6cckjJ9LiG5wlZTBb4_u5UYZAJfMsQEZiuog/s4032/lambii2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pb4p088R8vClE4z73fG1cWyt6KTjnFvDjulSuRpnKTAj6REz6O2-7zN20xW_UHHiudp5fXBwLba2AiaN1Wa18le5mLQmUtx4LP0Z-VbZjeiNA9XxKB50SPHeQrF3izdM5DOs5I_O4QktWV6gzBCx0k6cckjJ9LiG5wlZTBb4_u5UYZAJfMsQEZiuog/w150-h200/lambii2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Rare in its homeland, <i>Euphorbia lambii</i> comes from the island of Gomera in
the Canary Islands where it grows on the edge of forests in the
northwest and central areas of the island from 2,000 to 2,600 feet up.<p></p><p>According to San Marcos Growers:</p><p></p><blockquote>The name for the genus is
derived from Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia
and later of Mauritania. In 12 B.C. King Juba named a cactus-like plant
he found in the Atlas Mountains after his physician and later Carl
Linnaeus assigned the name Euphorbia to the entire genus. The specific
epithet honoring British nurseryman Edgar Lamb (1905-1980) was given to
this plant in 1960 by the Swedish born Canary Island botanist Eric
Sventenius. More recent phylogenetic work has determined that this name
should be synonymous with a smaller growing plant also found on the
island of Gomera, Euphorbia bourgaeana, and the name Euphorbia lambiorum
is also sometimes used. </blockquote><br /><p></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-85977417679792284872023-01-17T15:39:00.003-08:002023-01-17T15:39:58.366-08:00GROWTH Project + mulch<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aKdqcuhguEwFKb6v8H2elc9CpjpnmOrWyxXJyf34nM3BnY8pPwSgmEjDTZnvJzBlxOocyECxQ_SyiM9FobINXN-o5_hdlIYinL3DHN3SD3f20VCkHqfUOWwc0csJ8zkz7K3iQvamg_Sd1TIIBi2MkgCb3voyVJ1VJEycScUmkLkv-gZv8pm_HkhuDA/s4032/D7CFBC68-457A-4659-B357-90920F1BF81F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aKdqcuhguEwFKb6v8H2elc9CpjpnmOrWyxXJyf34nM3BnY8pPwSgmEjDTZnvJzBlxOocyECxQ_SyiM9FobINXN-o5_hdlIYinL3DHN3SD3f20VCkHqfUOWwc0csJ8zkz7K3iQvamg_Sd1TIIBi2MkgCb3voyVJ1VJEycScUmkLkv-gZv8pm_HkhuDA/w150-h200/D7CFBC68-457A-4659-B357-90920F1BF81F.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>Today I met a group from the GROWTH Project at the Triangle Garden, right at the same time as a truck from Bayview Greenwaste showed up with 20 yd.³ of their finest compost product.<p></p><p>It’s a good thing the weather was so superb in Potrero Hill today, because it took us from 11 AM to about 2 PM to get the entire Triangle Garden heavily mulched with a nice 6 to 8 inch thick layer of that compost.</p><p>I have no doubt that all of the plants there will really appreciate it. And my poor sore arms and blistered fingers may take a while to forget all that work, but I think the people who pass by will appreciate it a lot as well. Thanks GROWTH team for all your hard work!</p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-44943149721718952222023-01-12T12:56:00.002-08:002023-01-12T12:56:41.125-08:00Plant planting expedition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgY0X3EJ4iW4AYA6CrJbJmIxPtkoSjHJFtoc5KUpENC62otNHrhrXmwP3bUR3ql3Lp-37CU3ZB7Mk6dHw3gv_raO-967x2NRDEtyc0SxDVlzmViHm-KzU9U3dLxhBY3dG69wubFImiS1yQPr2NIm_th5FdKeSwHv8jkDhNCBt0YRSOfqJqlu4GERvoBQ/s4032/IMG_9482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgY0X3EJ4iW4AYA6CrJbJmIxPtkoSjHJFtoc5KUpENC62otNHrhrXmwP3bUR3ql3Lp-37CU3ZB7Mk6dHw3gv_raO-967x2NRDEtyc0SxDVlzmViHm-KzU9U3dLxhBY3dG69wubFImiS1yQPr2NIm_th5FdKeSwHv8jkDhNCBt0YRSOfqJqlu4GERvoBQ/w150-h200/IMG_9482.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>OK, well the plants we bought have been planted! Matt and I headed out there this morning to plant in the brief gap in the torrential rain.<p></p><p></p><p>6 <i>Santolina chamaecyparissus</i> (Lavender Cotton) <br /></p><p>5 <i>Phlomis lanata </i>(<span>Woolly Jerusalem Sage)<br /></span></p><p>10 <i>Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii</i></p><p>5 <i>Agave parryi</i><i> - </i>we bought 3 but one had big offsets that I spread around. </p><p>7 <i>Agave palmeri subsp. chrysantha</i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43rUZigw7qycHAX-ZdFi85dkZL61uw5alVX64lqE3kOVEWJuiEoU4R_cDPWAMG6Uuj11Yvv--sRlqzaTZw0YxJB5GjC3F2stZ1kwTwLPGzni6GG9lZyFQCD0c1BAa0bfxZOl20Yy7ZfSt_lwUZViPOAEtgyo74C6Q6PEHuXgRxkZKnZgPIPcEbI3wqA/s4032/IMG_9483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43rUZigw7qycHAX-ZdFi85dkZL61uw5alVX64lqE3kOVEWJuiEoU4R_cDPWAMG6Uuj11Yvv--sRlqzaTZw0YxJB5GjC3F2stZ1kwTwLPGzni6GG9lZyFQCD0c1BAa0bfxZOl20Yy7ZfSt_lwUZViPOAEtgyo74C6Q6PEHuXgRxkZKnZgPIPcEbI3wqA/w300-h400/IMG_9483.jpg" width="300" /></a></i></div><i><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAgwWfB0WPh53CIHIKv8IkwAXg_6drpYqiHAsoNE0gkFRRTIz5ZMsKlGkBs57hhSAx6-cqf-_V-KT52RjRO6tLXIs2cc83a3IFDVUw7GM95SFTl6dItt9zl7VzLCw4fRh4jNqYspKwy6dJcMoziktDV_dhQY1fyPiJRXiVAfdBMezU6By_nYhjxc_Ag/s4032/IMG_9484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAgwWfB0WPh53CIHIKv8IkwAXg_6drpYqiHAsoNE0gkFRRTIz5ZMsKlGkBs57hhSAx6-cqf-_V-KT52RjRO6tLXIs2cc83a3IFDVUw7GM95SFTl6dItt9zl7VzLCw4fRh4jNqYspKwy6dJcMoziktDV_dhQY1fyPiJRXiVAfdBMezU6By_nYhjxc_Ag/w300-h400/IMG_9484.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></i> <p></p><p></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-15634882398037952832023-01-09T14:09:00.003-08:002023-01-09T19:05:06.440-08:00Plant shopping expedition<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE1lk2vAU6oY7Y-0ONrs3vb88_EIFTXf8kCayt6pSOhI2iO-XWm-sBXEpIQLwNrf_7ZiK6qBsu77x0ruuPxzOj4EP-Ju4Pst_HFFvLoUhVyVqSJCN_UG8mikwsjS0kLEHW0y5myT1HSHLs8WOCrq89aYQanWm7YoZVHjm5KTztK8wVAPFtGzRn7gcGw/s500/phlomis.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE1lk2vAU6oY7Y-0ONrs3vb88_EIFTXf8kCayt6pSOhI2iO-XWm-sBXEpIQLwNrf_7ZiK6qBsu77x0ruuPxzOj4EP-Ju4Pst_HFFvLoUhVyVqSJCN_UG8mikwsjS0kLEHW0y5myT1HSHLs8WOCrq89aYQanWm7YoZVHjm5KTztK8wVAPFtGzRn7gcGw/w150-h200/phlomis.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Matt </b>and I took a trip to wholesale plant joy purveyors <a href="https://pacificnurseries.com/" target="_blank">Pacific Nurseries</a> in Colma at lunchtime today, to shop for plants for PRG.<p></p><p>Over time, plants can succumb to the hard life on the streets. In this case, we were looking for plants to replace the dozens killed when a homeless encampment set fire to an area down at PRG. We got a nice load to start us off:</p><p>6 <i>Santolina chamaecyparissus</i> (Lavender Cotton) - awesome plant. if you remember to prune it back hard in winter. Ahem...<br /></p><p>5 <i>Phlomis lanata </i>(<span>Woolly Jerusalem Sage - pictured) - a new species of this genus that does so well for us<br /></span></p><p>10 <i>Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii</i></p><p>3 <i>Agave parryi</i> - a new kind for us - we have the <i>A. parryi truncata </i>everywhere, but these have longer leaves</p><p>5 <i>Agave palmeri subsp. chrysantha</i> - another new species, and one that pups a lot. Meaning: lots of freebies fir us!<i><br /></i></p><p>We'll plant these next weekend. Can't wait.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-6729394666693325912023-01-07T15:22:00.007-08:002023-01-09T13:57:44.908-08:00Plantings!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMnsVeNgCQJOEiCQbigrmlnaANJF1Aj7a241VosNrNjc3iE2jRYwjHdfMhbph61DhwUYSJm_gX2wj32Z3jL_F-cbM2jkibGhQn4eJhSIR3rkvvpliwcjumx4CvoCX9LqI2XnGLVTnPTBbihM7WLOkFxq5PxXAGYJFH6UVUDBT87MHS7Fbxfn3ldtNZQ/s4032/IMG_9421.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMnsVeNgCQJOEiCQbigrmlnaANJF1Aj7a241VosNrNjc3iE2jRYwjHdfMhbph61DhwUYSJm_gX2wj32Z3jL_F-cbM2jkibGhQn4eJhSIR3rkvvpliwcjumx4CvoCX9LqI2XnGLVTnPTBbihM7WLOkFxq5PxXAGYJFH6UVUDBT87MHS7Fbxfn3ldtNZQ/w150-h200/IMG_9421.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Our volunteer workday today was done before the rain, and we got a ton of plants into the ground. <b>Matt,</b> <b>Chris</b> and <b>Josh</b> worked away and not only did we do a little weeding and turn the compost at PG, but also planted a Mexican Fan Palm (<span><i>Washingtonia robusta</i> - left). We also planted: <br /></span><p></p><p><span>13 <i>Lychnis coronaria</i> (Rose Campion)</span></p><p><span>3 <i>Agave americana striata</i></span></p><p><span>1 <i>Cussonia paniculata</i></span></p><p><span>1 </span><span><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><i>Peritoma arborea</i> </span></span>(Bladderpod) <br /></span></p><p><span>Moved 1 <i>Yucca</i> from PG to PRG and planted two <i>Yucca</i> cuttings alongside it.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnbACQo84ia8H4sbNOhM6k3UpzB9L55yuPjZ2T-Xh9XQTTTTnC79ajI8UPRRAAF6S7GOwuRpyzkagcWvYTkKgvrKa31KMibnPdyACTkZ6-DMobvqiVHEzskmx5iNZVfcxuu7138q5a-rKU06rxhG2ren_sKjPP-TNU9beHe-fZYYPSPgQCRSS32_C2fA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2836" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnbACQo84ia8H4sbNOhM6k3UpzB9L55yuPjZ2T-Xh9XQTTTTnC79ajI8UPRRAAF6S7GOwuRpyzkagcWvYTkKgvrKa31KMibnPdyACTkZ6-DMobvqiVHEzskmx5iNZVfcxuu7138q5a-rKU06rxhG2ren_sKjPP-TNU9beHe-fZYYPSPgQCRSS32_C2fA=w154-h200" width="154" /></a></div><p>Josh and I cut back a <i>Phlomis</i> at PRG, I picked up litter, and Chris cut back a <i>Lavatera</i> with his usual decisiveness. We also put new signs into the kiosks at both PG and PRG - I hope they work to get more interest in our volunteer days!</p><p>By the way - all but the <i>Lychnis </i>and <i>Peritoma</i> plants were kindly donated by Mat McGrath of <a href="https://www.farallongardens.com/" target="_blank">Farallon Gardens</a>. Thanks Mat! Check him out on <a href="https://m.facebook.com/Farallon-Gardens-109008167353430/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/farallongardens" target="_blank">Instagram</a>!<br /></p><p></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-83003951566744679862023-01-03T13:04:00.000-08:002023-01-03T13:04:06.517-08:00Plant Profile: Nolina nelsonii (Blue Nolina)<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufGqihv3aM3TAXoG5-Cruz5dfgsa6TJKaaDy1i2AMj5_VG3Qejyl7ub_VJmZWDY0eTGLTyVZrFpn9ge6glnSVy_VhKLCWIxZTV_2FqDKLzHmg5KeSZglNjEbvQsBHtwdYuKsYVXQNFPqaNtnWThA7HIBlQGu1glMaUFzHqHWig9fIdU3F_t288oBZZw/s1600/IMG_5642-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufGqihv3aM3TAXoG5-Cruz5dfgsa6TJKaaDy1i2AMj5_VG3Qejyl7ub_VJmZWDY0eTGLTyVZrFpn9ge6glnSVy_VhKLCWIxZTV_2FqDKLzHmg5KeSZglNjEbvQsBHtwdYuKsYVXQNFPqaNtnWThA7HIBlQGu1glMaUFzHqHWig9fIdU3F_t288oBZZw/w150-h200/IMG_5642-1.jpeg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Latin name:</b> <i>Nolina nelsonii</i><span class="st"> </span> ("no-LEE-nah nell-SOWN-ee-eye")<br />
<b>Common name:</b> Blue Nolina, Nelson's Bear Grass<br />
<b>Originally from:</b> <span>Northern Mexico</span><br />
<b>Blooms:</b> Tiny white flowers on a giant spike in spring.<br />
<b>Light:</b> Full sun.<br />
<b>Water:</b> Winter rain is enough.<br />
<b>Height x width:</b> 6-10' x 3-4'<br />
<b>Zones:</b> 8a to 10b<br />
<b>Where to find in P. Garden:</b> We have three nice big ones down at the North end of PRG<p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">At some point in your plant growing life you think "Yeah - I've really got this down: I can tell the difference between an <i>Agave</i>, an <i>Aloe</i> and a <i>Yucca</i> at 20 paces. Send me my Girl Scout Plant ID badge please!" Shortly thereafter you stumble across a <i>Nolina</i> and there's a lot of humming and hawing while you try to figure it out.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1_I72nrZmgeSBEHjERKsvg63GLUCkNS1AlwJ8JrWL42w94dEQyuJl1wXN9g3nQDgvnf-HRWP9OmXDfDuqEQiJMlfh2eaJF7pyqJyukVXcVZo8N0NhRwze0UXabGdWlwY44UyD3wZwS7VaD2J69cWPl2qJUNcvvLJ9uxQypZHWtLhcXS4ZLWxGnzJMg/s4032/IMG_8899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1_I72nrZmgeSBEHjERKsvg63GLUCkNS1AlwJ8JrWL42w94dEQyuJl1wXN9g3nQDgvnf-HRWP9OmXDfDuqEQiJMlfh2eaJF7pyqJyukVXcVZo8N0NhRwze0UXabGdWlwY44UyD3wZwS7VaD2J69cWPl2qJUNcvvLJ9uxQypZHWtLhcXS4ZLWxGnzJMg/w150-h200/IMG_8899.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>In this case, I decided to get some <i>Nolinas</i> so I could get to know the genus. We have three <i>Nolina nelsonii</i> down at PRG and they have grown into nice big plants with lovely blue leaves. So far, they're very tough - no water, full sun, and nobody has killed one by stomping on it or letting their dog pee or poop on it yet.<br /><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Commonly called bear grass, perhaps because members of the Lewis and Clark
expedition, 19th century explorers of western America thought they were big, tough, bear-like grasses, even though they're not a grass. And since they couldn't tell the difference between several genera of plants they called them all bear grass (<i>Yuccas, </i></span></span><span><i>Xerophyllum</i> and various <i>Nolinas</i>) so that only adds to the confusion.</span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">According to San Marcos Growers: </span></span></p><p></p><blockquote>The genus was named by Andre Michaux
(1746-1802), a French botanist sent to North America by King Louis XVI.
His name honors Abbé Pierre Charles (P.C.) Nolin, a French agriculturist
and horticultural author. This species was first collected in 1898 by
the naturalist Edward W. Nelson (1855-1934) at an elevation in the
mountains near Miquihuana between 7,000-9,000 feet in the state of
Tamaulipas, Mexico. It was described in 1906 and named to honor Nelson
by famed American botanist Joseph Nelson Rose (1862-1928), who with
Nathaniel Lord Britton published the four volume tome "The Cactaceae". </blockquote><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span><p></p><p><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn UiGGAb" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_I8FPk2WX6cCbHWXUbbcIoJgxvwXIZH4_iKXv5n_0cjgC5CpKpReiVJrkwu23E3MB8AXnXpC-sec41n8Rjg8zS779EXgRmD4w8VNmV_6ghMwg-_XI-YB4CvrfNi2RDsMmtkYB_7GuEJjE1CjzSjSyndWtq6Ms_td42yeF3GCs0gSZX9mnhpOnaI_wQ/s4032/IMG_8900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_I8FPk2WX6cCbHWXUbbcIoJgxvwXIZH4_iKXv5n_0cjgC5CpKpReiVJrkwu23E3MB8AXnXpC-sec41n8Rjg8zS779EXgRmD4w8VNmV_6ghMwg-_XI-YB4CvrfNi2RDsMmtkYB_7GuEJjE1CjzSjSyndWtq6Ms_td42yeF3GCs0gSZX9mnhpOnaI_wQ/w150-h200/IMG_8900.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>There
are 28 species in the genus, all native to Mexico and the Southern US.
They're dioecious plants, meaning they have males and females.<p></p><p><i>Nolina nelsonii</i> comes from the desert and mountain regions of Northern Mexico. It's easy to grow, grows slowly with (eventually) one or more trunks to create
outstanding 3-4’ across heads of slightly serrated (but not sharp) bluish 1” wide leaves. One mature, a thick bloom stalk 4’ tall pops up, holding thousands of creamy yellow, scented flowers - after flowering, that head dies but the plant will produce more. It likes ordinary soil, hates wet feet, is very deer resistant, and needs nothing but rain to water it in the Bay Area.<br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-53489951310961037432023-01-02T11:41:00.003-08:002023-01-02T11:41:23.090-08:00New year, (more) new plants!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvn9bjkbmCKWU3WXVQqLmI2NwXLwdTQfybAziT2yXlIYHYG5UjcLvHknCE7Hl_uh6_e9spIk4RWljHrikQWmImf3PWi3BrdeqmFkakpgErTWrV7jIT0eNVIKC1F8r-fEobDkPSt-oJfUCCGNzWNU5xNMmyPZ2e5hi3wXQ8XGX9ksq-M4_vRrmPZIAuQ/s4032/IMG_9353.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvn9bjkbmCKWU3WXVQqLmI2NwXLwdTQfybAziT2yXlIYHYG5UjcLvHknCE7Hl_uh6_e9spIk4RWljHrikQWmImf3PWi3BrdeqmFkakpgErTWrV7jIT0eNVIKC1F8r-fEobDkPSt-oJfUCCGNzWNU5xNMmyPZ2e5hi3wXQ8XGX9ksq-M4_vRrmPZIAuQ/w150-h200/IMG_9353.heic" width="150" /></a></div>Yep we did it again: <b>Matt</b> and I went to PRG and planted 3 <i>Yucca filifera</i>, then up to PG to plant 10 <i>Lychnis coronari</i>a (Rose Campion). And guess what? The dirt at PG in some areas is still BONE DRY under the mulch, which is startling given all the rain we have had.<br /><p></p><p>The rain runoff also washed out some of the path at PRG so watch your step. Lastly, I also cut back some Santolinas at PRG - that's a plant that need an annual haircut to stay neat, and somehow I forget every year.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-37000970752224390882022-12-24T16:56:00.001-08:002022-12-24T16:56:13.629-08:00Happy holidays!<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcROikxxidsgwhGceoS8SyS7RKsdxxbqRt4CEOHCjeYp6lEhzMyoQGZUOA-5bWJiWrJq7-fngypRdX0nUvXuIxmyPbyYfEqKlhAEBL_kRZtHFVJ7o2DPRaJpxGSw-EAf5-TNEWqSjsHnE4546g9eENAG0n5b9vbVd4QHK63Oh7cRXGCuWqec7RglX5YA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcROikxxidsgwhGceoS8SyS7RKsdxxbqRt4CEOHCjeYp6lEhzMyoQGZUOA-5bWJiWrJq7-fngypRdX0nUvXuIxmyPbyYfEqKlhAEBL_kRZtHFVJ7o2DPRaJpxGSw-EAf5-TNEWqSjsHnE4546g9eENAG0n5b9vbVd4QHK63Oh7cRXGCuWqec7RglX5YA=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Matt</b> and I ran to the garden today to plant some plants! We put in three <i>Santolina chamaecyparissus</i> (Lavender Cotton) and ten <i>Lychnis coronaria</i> (Rose Campion) at PG. I grew the latter from seed this year, and I'm really hoping they take off as they are such pretty plants. We also cut back the dying (dead?) Cherry Plum tree and I used the branches to make some border edging.<p></p>After that we headed down to PRG and planted three <i>Yucca filifer</i>a plants. Lots more to new plants come this winter, but it was great to get these in ahead of the rain. I also cleaned up some trash and put in a 311 request to pick up the pile. <br /><br />Happy holidays friends! I hope it's relaxing, warm and rejuvenating.<br />Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-68737413088411949032022-12-18T21:07:00.003-08:002022-12-18T21:07:41.853-08:00New plants, new plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpOSBFsN_K38IH0blnOH6LdBrGJG4bYXagfSmhX6SPAJzZup-9kbPoY9LlhQfn2tcafX-ij3v-fHNq3h2fdXxy0qgosFEaw0BOSASSSpsyRxqPJ-GEGZd584cxTun1PDu7cni-FBiJYxmsnZp1gv-WXqnuRBoGjaE3HpYBoKF88RPfnupx6cSvKPd1A/s900/A51D2D18-5B2A-41D9-AB30-36C8EC2204BC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="756" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpOSBFsN_K38IH0blnOH6LdBrGJG4bYXagfSmhX6SPAJzZup-9kbPoY9LlhQfn2tcafX-ij3v-fHNq3h2fdXxy0qgosFEaw0BOSASSSpsyRxqPJ-GEGZd584cxTun1PDu7cni-FBiJYxmsnZp1gv-WXqnuRBoGjaE3HpYBoKF88RPfnupx6cSvKPd1A/w168-h200/A51D2D18-5B2A-41D9-AB30-36C8EC2204BC.jpeg" width="168" /></a></div>Today Matt and I popped out to the garden to plant some plants at PRG.<p>We put in a 15 gallon <i>Austrocylindropuntia subulata</i> (tall spiky cactus), a 15 gallon <i>Yucca filifera</i> (tall spiky yucca), a 10 gallon <i>Agave weberi</i> "Arizona Star" and a 10 gallon <i>Agave valenciana</i> that came from Mat at <a href="https://www.farallongardens.com/" target="_blank">Farallon Gardens</a>.<br /></p><p>We put the <i>A.valenciana</i> down by the larger group of the same species at the North end, and also moved two others to join them. They're looking great - and will get absolutely huge, so that's something to look forwards to.</p><p>Lastly we cut some yucca branches that were growing into other plants and put them to one side so we can get them rooted and plant them elsewhere. <br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-55262469719910645772022-12-13T14:38:00.003-08:002022-12-13T14:38:58.552-08:00Another great GROWTH Project day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1ht8D-aegJnE-6ft92e05QYA8dJSPkGUI9wfhm-KL-lZHbcxkg3K0FVIJinb2oKtNoNveqKxFvv7V1LVH3bWLugNddAwmSAwDQvY39C5Giq-hhB-E1TmKKsgyWVl5WLUA5jx_K7hPDQIk3w42b3LlV-nCJ49FKhZa1_RNr3dRNO07tAx08kUpetLZw/s8552/IMG_9179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="8552" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1ht8D-aegJnE-6ft92e05QYA8dJSPkGUI9wfhm-KL-lZHbcxkg3K0FVIJinb2oKtNoNveqKxFvv7V1LVH3bWLugNddAwmSAwDQvY39C5Giq-hhB-E1TmKKsgyWVl5WLUA5jx_K7hPDQIk3w42b3LlV-nCJ49FKhZa1_RNr3dRNO07tAx08kUpetLZw/w400-h170/IMG_9179.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I met the team from UCSF's GROWTH Project today to work at the gardens, and while we were supposed to spread mulch at the Triangle garden, we ended up planting at PRG instead because the mulch delivery truck died.<p></p><p>We weeded and picked trash up, and then spent some time clearing dead or damaged plants from a stretch of PRG first. Looks like someone set a big fire down there and a lot of plants were damaged... always sad to see. Now I have an area about 30' x 5' to replant.</p><p>After that we planted a <i>Eucalyptus gunnii</i> "Silver Drop" which was donated by Mat McGrath of <a href="https://www.farallongardens.com/" target="_blank">Farallon Gardens</a> recently. Exciting new plant for us! And we put in three new <i>Yucca filifera</i> as well - the ultimate ankle biter (aka plant that's very good at protecting areas of the garden). The ground was nice and moist so I feel like all these plants will do really well.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-51940885764247611942022-12-03T17:52:00.000-08:002022-12-03T17:52:06.893-08:00Wet from sky<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z0KnxcfqX5t4ChzN3GP9ETpGgCk4dUcKJ0NdhvzNYvFNrY1PXV9d11b_3i0JfbuYZPjuL8SjA96imdtA1iG8qEfChIDWpnASk60WsDlLv9wvZAhBh4Ui18g0lAumTBHFFi04PMn60B9IOZbAH02Ob4rS732OuBpFNjybaY4ouVdTsmrdIZaobpHIyQ/s4032/IMG_9146.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z0KnxcfqX5t4ChzN3GP9ETpGgCk4dUcKJ0NdhvzNYvFNrY1PXV9d11b_3i0JfbuYZPjuL8SjA96imdtA1iG8qEfChIDWpnASk60WsDlLv9wvZAhBh4Ui18g0lAumTBHFFi04PMn60B9IOZbAH02Ob4rS732OuBpFNjybaY4ouVdTsmrdIZaobpHIyQ/w150-h200/IMG_9146.HEIC" width="150" /></a></div>It rained at the volunteer day, as it is apt to do this time of year, but nevertheless <b>Matt, Chris</b> and <b>Josh </b>helped with some fun tasks.<p></p><p>Matt harvested some <i>Agave attenuatas</i> and variegated <i>Yucca</i> branches so we can grow them on the for the garden. more plants!</p><p>Josh, Chris and I set about planting. We put in a dozen 1gallon <span><em>Limonium</em> sinuatum (Statice) plants that</span> I have been growing for the last several months, and they are all along the front bed now - will look great! Then Josh planted four <i>Leucophyta brownii</i> that I'd also grown on for the garden.<br /></p><p>Chris moved a <i>Salvia canariensis</i> up to the top of the garden, and rearranged some <i>Agave filiferas</i> in the front bed. After that he turned the compost which was a bit of a heavy task. I added some water and left the lids open so hopefully all that material composts down a bit faster.</p><p>And yeah - we watered in all the new plants. In the rain. Because the rains we have had so far have only dampened the top couple inches of dirt. It's amazing to see, we never stop being surprised by it, but we really, really are in a drought.</p><p>Photo: Lovely <i>Aloe</i> "David Verity" that we got from Mat McGrath flowering away today.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-42139526971062520272022-12-01T14:16:00.002-08:002022-12-01T14:16:16.222-08:00Adios, tool chest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGUWTzk4Vkm0QkE4EVz5mARcWJRLRIQ1P0DO6RBXmJD2YZK0MdIRU8Q9hkFKx_HIKXZhj4Ng2W_c-bxzfjvPeVIQkP6Epi6eWFhztBuyVzoJcvPqYRrbnI64tLdiTx4AmGPflPHVGuSed-ngzWTRi8GjXKwrxf_7HbbdGelrxzsm46vZhc4EIRHik-Q/s4032/IMG_9089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGUWTzk4Vkm0QkE4EVz5mARcWJRLRIQ1P0DO6RBXmJD2YZK0MdIRU8Q9hkFKx_HIKXZhj4Ng2W_c-bxzfjvPeVIQkP6Epi6eWFhztBuyVzoJcvPqYRrbnI64tLdiTx4AmGPflPHVGuSed-ngzWTRi8GjXKwrxf_7HbbdGelrxzsm46vZhc4EIRHik-Q/w150-h200/IMG_9089.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>No surprise in winter, but we got some good rain last night. The gardens will be LOVING it. Last week Matt and I popped out to PG and removed the tool chest from the back area.<p></p><p>We built that tool chest back in October of 2015 and it's given is 7 long years of use. but the sad fact is that as much as we fortified it over the years, it was honestly just sitting there waiting for people to break in and steal all our stuff. More recently we have only used it for equipment we don't mind losing, but a recent break-in made me give up - so the chest has sat empty for a while. We will reuse the wood for something else.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC57FBnV1Q9JCqKjoH0UWrL3o7PbnUPpKpyAnDVHut8xd91eoo1KwwmWJ9tmmZ2k6AL00Uv0qG_N7pIQFx7mjwP2Pq766kl3k3rkd5sn0Ziv_Hcf0M7rhqxFvk69dviINrttIuz0l_dTJcJy8B2ryLqqjfQrNiuFHqRcqbvF0OwoIbdXbWOhnJxnORrw/s4032/IMG_9088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC57FBnV1Q9JCqKjoH0UWrL3o7PbnUPpKpyAnDVHut8xd91eoo1KwwmWJ9tmmZ2k6AL00Uv0qG_N7pIQFx7mjwP2Pq766kl3k3rkd5sn0Ziv_Hcf0M7rhqxFvk69dviINrttIuz0l_dTJcJy8B2ryLqqjfQrNiuFHqRcqbvF0OwoIbdXbWOhnJxnORrw/w150-h200/IMG_9088.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>We also did some trimming and pruning, and noted that the last rain meant the weed seeds are sprouting. JUST when you think they are all gone - oh no. Also sprouting is the very first flower we have ever had on an <i>Agave attenuata</i>. It's going to be a crazy bloom: watch out for that!<br /><p></p><p>We have a volunteer day this weekend - Saturday 10-12 as usual - and the GROWTH Project will be joining us again next week. Come on down and help prepare for more rains - we might even be planting stuff (The. Most. Fun!) if the ground is damp enough!<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-90341167521467131362022-11-08T18:54:00.001-08:002022-11-08T18:54:54.704-08:00Rain! It's that time of year.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDzou4CSRRsGQ8w50_DJOvItQVReEbr-_NYRmW6GHv6GWA5k3NmrOCfOCzbwJsRhlw_R7vaJO6j_TFU18JLF3aOlBRyvTuXQNeK1uraqwMiWuW02pdqe7qyB7ZC4SHvpeLJ2d2d6gWTk6gfjeOuVN40AJL8RdRo0JVxtdXgKQjJjbbC22P7syxTX-Cbw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDzou4CSRRsGQ8w50_DJOvItQVReEbr-_NYRmW6GHv6GWA5k3NmrOCfOCzbwJsRhlw_R7vaJO6j_TFU18JLF3aOlBRyvTuXQNeK1uraqwMiWuW02pdqe7qyB7ZC4SHvpeLJ2d2d6gWTk6gfjeOuVN40AJL8RdRo0JVxtdXgKQjJjbbC22P7syxTX-Cbw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>Our Volunteer Day on Saturday was fine and clear - we had a sprinkle of rain but it wasn't really noticeable.<p></p><p><b>Chris</b> emptied the middle compost bin and spread the resulting product around the garden. We left the other bins open so they can get a soaking from the rains due this week. He also valiantly weeded what's left of the dried up weeds... who are right this moment charging up for a big flourish of growth thanks to aforementioned rain... *side eye*</p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjzZg_VmBX_vtz5HRfn5lVvgFCqfjUsTsNuJeUzbBXJ1GE-8C3Fbji1tTNVrZr1YBrNU27kx_LZCcMA0SlJuDX2O8Jn1RLPiCUL-l41NCKwyDzEpfTydzTzGiXKN9G5HosYpjpZTKhHQvHazwtPKYdyotPiVlMDZZQSaorL9HSf_eF-VuTs6miJ3Y-Bg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjzZg_VmBX_vtz5HRfn5lVvgFCqfjUsTsNuJeUzbBXJ1GE-8C3Fbji1tTNVrZr1YBrNU27kx_LZCcMA0SlJuDX2O8Jn1RLPiCUL-l41NCKwyDzEpfTydzTzGiXKN9G5HosYpjpZTKhHQvHazwtPKYdyotPiVlMDZZQSaorL9HSf_eF-VuTs6miJ3Y-Bg=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Josh</b> weeded the front bed and lots of other areas. I have to say, despite being dry it's looking pretty good. The <i>Chasmanthe</i> have started to sprout and that's always welcome at this time of year.<p></p><p>I cleared up lots of fallen cactus fruits around the front kiosk, and Chris helped by cutting flowers off the <i>Yucca</i> plants, which you can see him holding up in the first photo. Someone has been lopping the tops off the yucca plants to get the flowers - if you see anyone doing that tell them to knock it off! It damages the trees and makes them look ugly for a long time - it's so rude!</p><p>Today we're having lots of rain. The GROWTH Project team came by and we weeded the Triangle Garden through showers, and turned the compost which will soon be steaming away merrily. They're making a big impact on the garden, and I can't wait to see what they do next!<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-74888870303056780062022-11-03T15:03:00.001-07:002022-11-03T15:03:08.370-07:00Volunteer days - October and November<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v0NExfK3TClTXqz8LWANR6YMg9Y0Xhf17C_lvAoMsuRmfDrhZR5lv_YC7-eqa2Xv08KGm2Dz2940MUDAgnuvD3pMNJVj5UXrumqbwp8kT7axqig3KTTKQtUzNkkdcM8RnyqGa8a4U0_8RU_Yr-0NxHXqdBrTwC7BdEd1rzkiFwTRE7TShCE_pl3VsA/s1717/FE9898F6-48F5-4F46-9955-039D925D388F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="1374" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v0NExfK3TClTXqz8LWANR6YMg9Y0Xhf17C_lvAoMsuRmfDrhZR5lv_YC7-eqa2Xv08KGm2Dz2940MUDAgnuvD3pMNJVj5UXrumqbwp8kT7axqig3KTTKQtUzNkkdcM8RnyqGa8a4U0_8RU_Yr-0NxHXqdBrTwC7BdEd1rzkiFwTRE7TShCE_pl3VsA/w160-h200/FE9898F6-48F5-4F46-9955-039D925D388F.JPG" width="160" /></a></div>Just like that October is over! And we have a volunteer day at the garden this weekend, but I still haven't blogged the last volunteer day.<p></p><p>Well, what happened? We went down to PRG and weeded a lot - we also cleaned up the pathways (<b>Bill</b> helped me and we sheared back anything hanging over the path. Also looks like Bill really got into it. I'm a bit scared... :P ) and picked up trash. There's always a lot of trash down there. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDVj9EpBU0zOlOsf6Nrk-1A5-f0puEjfky_Am1P0DRLqEDfimfwjhvtBDiaKROaDctrr4L27XAc7pOhnEeXlZRfUReGyzgGBwtPjhld2PjScoORIUmPKkhGEnuIdLkbA0GtuLw4u8D1V553xq2GwAU-nsOPTqM6ufSWz1B6m8e2uirkf61Li2aim3hg/s3303/IMG_8818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="2477" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDVj9EpBU0zOlOsf6Nrk-1A5-f0puEjfky_Am1P0DRLqEDfimfwjhvtBDiaKROaDctrr4L27XAc7pOhnEeXlZRfUReGyzgGBwtPjhld2PjScoORIUmPKkhGEnuIdLkbA0GtuLw4u8D1V553xq2GwAU-nsOPTqM6ufSWz1B6m8e2uirkf61Li2aim3hg/w150-h200/IMG_8818.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Then <b>Chris</b> took some pups off the huge <i>Agave</i> "Green Giant" at the bottom end, and we replanted them in various places. You can see from the photo that this is work that brings Chris joy and contentment. Also who the heck is cutting the leaves off bigger <i>Agaves</i>? Kindly knock it off - you're ruining them!<p></p><p>We probably did a whole load of other things but I can't remember them now.</p><p>The following week we had a new volunteer group come by. <a href="https://citywide.ucsf.edu/growth" target="_blank">The GROWTH Project</a> is a UCSF program and we had about a dozen participants and two group leaders come by PG to help. We weeded (always!), turned compost, cut back <i>Salvias</i> and deadheaded <i>Echiums</i>. The team were great - and we got lots done. They're coming back monthly to help us out, and I'm excited for that!</p><p>But, enough - come down this Saturday from 10-12 and help us prepare for winter. It's gonna be a great day to get some fresh air!<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-39632225784446945352022-09-28T15:09:00.001-07:002022-09-28T15:09:17.166-07:00Plant Profile: Agave attenuata<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQH8uZTzQ-_15miekTEvbt1SzR4P8KAoB657ITDBmOlW7V6uT2TZCylwFeuoQiufyJVTy6KcjgtLebwcxF1VVHeM4ynn3Nl0FGY8Nr1uF7OONziYbUSOL_p-QP4k5Cyn0lmrtxdLmDxOPL-vEisvSZNwns2keIaCRkFye188wEgPuM6okUIKWW6vpg/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQH8uZTzQ-_15miekTEvbt1SzR4P8KAoB657ITDBmOlW7V6uT2TZCylwFeuoQiufyJVTy6KcjgtLebwcxF1VVHeM4ynn3Nl0FGY8Nr1uF7OONziYbUSOL_p-QP4k5Cyn0lmrtxdLmDxOPL-vEisvSZNwns2keIaCRkFye188wEgPuM6okUIKWW6vpg/w150-h200/IMG_0347.JPG" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Latin name:</b> <i>Agave attenuata</i><span class="st"> </span> ("ah-GAV-ay ah-ten-you-AH-tah")<br />
<b>Common name:</b> Foxtail Agave<br />
<b>Originally from:</b> <span>Central Mexico</span><br />
<b>Blooms:</b> One, crazy, arching 5-10' long spike.<br />
<b>Light:</b> Full sun to light shade.<br />
<b>Water:</b> Winter rain is enough.<br />
<b>Height x width:</b> 4-5' x 6-8'<br />
<b>Zones:</b> 9b to 12<br />
<b>Where to find in P. Garden:</b> We have some in the left bed, middle front bed, and also down at the North end of PRG<p></p><p>Are you looking for a plant that makes a big architectural statement, needs no water, but don't want something spiky and pokey? <i>Agave attenuata</i> has all the most epic agave qualities and no teeth, spikes, spines or other ways to get stabbed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns1BmP17y9PPDc2jYHaJWxVm4mqyk8oy34WjslLLSSsUb8d1djUwmTS7gbYGKAiUv6oytgKFgye5yDWf_59BQ8RhT3O4-QdELjQNh-uJ410xQyRBoLqFXOYeXaodMBClsCrJMhbsGZUo0mKVB_yrDSqCx_kOwfrOA47iwPLOCpnN5e1h5jlEAGzhEYw/s2048/EE027E91-2155-44E4-9355-46F6A45E34AD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns1BmP17y9PPDc2jYHaJWxVm4mqyk8oy34WjslLLSSsUb8d1djUwmTS7gbYGKAiUv6oytgKFgye5yDWf_59BQ8RhT3O4-QdELjQNh-uJ410xQyRBoLqFXOYeXaodMBClsCrJMhbsGZUo0mKVB_yrDSqCx_kOwfrOA47iwPLOCpnN5e1h5jlEAGzhEYw/w200-h200/EE027E91-2155-44E4-9355-46F6A45E34AD.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>For an agave, it's also a relatively fast grower, even producing lots of babies along the trunk it creates (yes - an agave with a trunk!) and can handle damper conditions well. It comes in various variegated and "blue" colored forms too, so you can mix up the look. At PG we have the regular apple-green type, and the blue type ("Nova" or Boutin Blue")<br /><p></p><p>Snails will munch on it, as will deer given the chance, and the leaves are breakable if you bump into them, so that's the down side of such soft leaves.</p><p> It is native to the plateau of central Mexico in the states of Jalisco,
México and Michoacán where it grows on rocky outcrops in pine forests
from 6000-8000 feet in elevation. French-Belgian botanist Henri Guillaume Galeotti
(1814 – 1858) founds some in central
Mexico and sent them to Kew Gardens. From Jalisco east to Mexico
City, it lives in small colonies at elevations of 1,900 to 2,500 meters (6,200 to
8,200 feet), but there have been few recorded sightings - it seems to be rare in the wild. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKK4EhPCwtl5Npvd4eCpvVnRaFV45h2jeTJASFV8n5vZSDfzu9xwr43IlKbjUwFL2frEzKeF6EIDygLfSeCteqGpAT9i8zPMuhmiSOHDvYzjuFIql7XKkBMlhNvfAI1uZeO9YJt2IZOuyM7fNN8IdW-vQzZrlM6uaEAuY7QwscosnuKHkgrsoP1l5ig/s1600/F2C113E7-927C-4D57-822E-F94A4D84FC14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKK4EhPCwtl5Npvd4eCpvVnRaFV45h2jeTJASFV8n5vZSDfzu9xwr43IlKbjUwFL2frEzKeF6EIDygLfSeCteqGpAT9i8zPMuhmiSOHDvYzjuFIql7XKkBMlhNvfAI1uZeO9YJt2IZOuyM7fNN8IdW-vQzZrlM6uaEAuY7QwscosnuKHkgrsoP1l5ig/w200-h200/F2C113E7-927C-4D57-822E-F94A4D84FC14.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>While we have had these for a long time, none of them has ever flowered. They produce a 5 to 10 foot vertical flower stalk that curves down towards the ground before arching upward again, giving this plant
the common name, the Foxtail agave – it is also called Lion's Tail
Agave and Swan's Neck Agave. The flowers are a pale greenish yellow and
are followed by seed pods and many bulbils (mini plants) which you can later share with 800 of your closest friends.<p></p><p>It has two subspecies:<i> A. attenuata subsp. attenuata</i>: Native to Central and Southwest Mexico and naturalized in Madeira and Libya<i>, </i>and <i>A. attenuata subsp. dentata</i>: Native to Northwest and Southwest Mexico. I have never seen the latter type for sale, but would love to have one.<br /></p><p></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-65801179251120138452022-09-05T19:19:00.000-07:002022-09-05T19:19:01.444-07:00Pathways: mulched<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjButFT-nTXWTBnQMeJQ0sMy1UrSOKCzhvAsK8ZugnAfjmTAcmvvCuSFamFV4cV-70dgtQlyr20CFCQiHMH9uTYnJKGIY-3pi5DsTuVPui_WFdQ3DyQINidtKhq3KE9V7GfwMaMPEx1AuWGEIZ_3cXmO89u6LjTlUpu5WkSVE5B7tm6yEk6e3MQGTT_jQ/s4032/IMG_8648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjButFT-nTXWTBnQMeJQ0sMy1UrSOKCzhvAsK8ZugnAfjmTAcmvvCuSFamFV4cV-70dgtQlyr20CFCQiHMH9uTYnJKGIY-3pi5DsTuVPui_WFdQ3DyQINidtKhq3KE9V7GfwMaMPEx1AuWGEIZ_3cXmO89u6LjTlUpu5WkSVE5B7tm6yEk6e3MQGTT_jQ/w150-h200/IMG_8648.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>On Thursday I got a call back from Bayview Greenwaste who said they could deliver mulch to PG on Friday for the paths. I'd been waiting for a call back so jumped on the chance, and met the delivery driver in the morning. Unfortunately there was a car parked right where I planned to have the mulch delivered, so we couldn't take as much as I planned. But that was a good thing, in the end...<p></p><p>I immediately sent out the email to our subscribers, posted to Twitter, Facebook and NextDoor, and texted people asking for help to move the pile on our Saturday workday. <br /></p><p>Then I went to work right away and managed to move about 20 wheelbarrow loads myself in 2 hours. At that stage I was absolutely shattered and went home hoping for a great volunteer turnout to help shift the remaining 3/4 of the huge pile. I also emptied the tool chest - someone was again trying to break into it, and I've had enough: I brought everything inside it home for good. We haven't stored anything really valuable there in ages, but it is handy to have extra tools there. Unless they get stolen... I also picked up dozens of needles and a pile of trash from the back area, and put in a 311 app request to pick it up.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIRNAvaAJzXAoQ6zQ-LeNmV5g9-vgncGfxYXHh-04emuvnVWM4T4BMS26hEWPg3XNgD-HLrGsjURMh4C8Xv-72gZoUdd2zXxNokX1gjuiooo-9ZthflyYSudeW_G65ZoT76FL8y-bZpJm9RIPs3LGKoQeDLmUM4-UVDgmsstnAmlA8KNvRgsVIkLHLw/s4032/IMG_8645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIRNAvaAJzXAoQ6zQ-LeNmV5g9-vgncGfxYXHh-04emuvnVWM4T4BMS26hEWPg3XNgD-HLrGsjURMh4C8Xv-72gZoUdd2zXxNokX1gjuiooo-9ZthflyYSudeW_G65ZoT76FL8y-bZpJm9RIPs3LGKoQeDLmUM4-UVDgmsstnAmlA8KNvRgsVIkLHLw/w150-h200/IMG_8645.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Saturday's volunteer workday dawned with a big rush: <b>Matt </b>and I had to drop by Home Depot to rent an extra wheelbarrow, and also pick up drinks for the volunteers. But as it turned out we didn't need the extra drinks... because nobody showed up :(<br /><p></p><p>We managed to get about 40 wheelbarrow loads of mulch moved, in another 2 hour stint. About 1/4 of the pile remained before we ran out of energy.</p><p>Today, Monday we returned, and this time <b>Chris</b> and<b> Jim</b> showed up to help move the remaining pile in record time. We also deeply watered specific areas of the garden that really needed help to get through the summer.</p><p>I've never put out a request for help and had NOBODY show up before - even people who said they would. Perhaps it was the holiday weekend, perhaps it was the heat. But it left me feeling deflated.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-60436020733138000932022-08-26T11:09:00.001-07:002022-08-26T11:09:00.183-07:00Plant Profile: Yucca filifera (Mexican Tree Yucca)<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstDAg4ZO-g4LV0bJOUy9Aq9raYOmikIhtmpFou83lrmGw7tPuU6V8t7WCtwhvbgCHygGn3pdFLaqe1Yaza93vZLekLO2RrTCwPoZo5sBYNEHUhzxzwTXngzGHURdwI7P1iTkDlAIVzlYwCrXXd8b50O50iEtjm3XaRc0yTjCVxbrFrs8FhZRWxpkzag/s3955/IMG_8587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3955" data-original-width="2874" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstDAg4ZO-g4LV0bJOUy9Aq9raYOmikIhtmpFou83lrmGw7tPuU6V8t7WCtwhvbgCHygGn3pdFLaqe1Yaza93vZLekLO2RrTCwPoZo5sBYNEHUhzxzwTXngzGHURdwI7P1iTkDlAIVzlYwCrXXd8b50O50iEtjm3XaRc0yTjCVxbrFrs8FhZRWxpkzag/w146-h200/IMG_8587.jpg" width="146" /></a></b></div><b>Latin name:</b> <i>Yucca filifera</i><span class="st"> </span> ("YOU-kah fill-IFF-er-ah")<br />
<b>Common name:</b> Mexican Tree Yucca, Palma China<br />
<b>Originally from:</b> <span>Mexico</span><br />
<b>Blooms:</b> 5' long weeping panicle of white bells<br />
<b>Light:</b> Full sun to light shade.<br />
<b>Water:</b> Winter rain is enough.<br />
<b>Height x width:</b> Up to 32' tall and 9-12' wide<br />
<b>Zones:</b> 6 to 10b<br />
<b>Where to find in P. Garden:</b> We have some in the Brights Bed at the top of PG, and several down at PRG too.<p></p><p>What a handsome beast! This Yucca is one of my favorites for so many reasons. First of all, it doesn't need any water, loves rocky, dry soil, and doesn't need any pruning - any faffing at all actually - it always looks sharp. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk5of-pqM3j0S4_PgI6FEJAQLXxQQ5d3HBTurbPN1GuLXQbF2kKirwUp5dlhFmB6n5PybE0rhv1CwXozQOpt2KatVkdwNcKitMsA0WGlC3xrhlOq77CYaoAaFS-S_1gU7FGLksDowfXJPjy8UjO2Wpjp9pXDlmhu6RjKd1ndee_dcngYdW67u3F8XoA/s4032/IMG_8588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk5of-pqM3j0S4_PgI6FEJAQLXxQQ5d3HBTurbPN1GuLXQbF2kKirwUp5dlhFmB6n5PybE0rhv1CwXozQOpt2KatVkdwNcKitMsA0WGlC3xrhlOq77CYaoAaFS-S_1gU7FGLksDowfXJPjy8UjO2Wpjp9pXDlmhu6RjKd1ndee_dcngYdW67u3F8XoA/w150-h200/IMG_8588.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>And when I say sharp, I mean watch out - the leaves are rigid, pointed, and they will stab you. I used to say "How can you tell the difference between <i>Yucca guatemalensis</i> and <i>Yucca aloifolia</i>? If you fall into the former you'll get scratched up as you scramble out. If you fall into the latter you won't get out at all..." but <i>Yucca filifera</i> takes it to the next level, turning the average human appendage into kebab meat with a wink and a smile.<p></p><p>With that in mind I have bought every one I can find at <a href="https://www.floragrubb.com/" target="_blank">Flora Grubb</a> and planted them in places where I don't want people going to great effect. They're all less than 4' tall right now but keep an eye on them. <span id="ContentPlaceHolder1_lblCharacteristics">Growing up to 32 feet in height the <i>Yucca filifera </i>is
regarded as one of the largest and fastest growing Yuccas so its growth
rate would be considered fast, if it's given extra water. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQg9l6CAz5old_NC1fAlLf2RYHx37oxK8Dje6vFzOXbyi0rwuEmjgXnSv5LwX8Y2AaiU_O3yaKy4wOCJNSScUDszxtvHCmXa8kWZZRBdkAv_LQ5rNyq7owBgJoTxD1Y5KpMBudqOgau25oTjkFSt1xMVgv0E1Bkjge7DnZD1ddFLdQMhVNOnf301Z8w/s2819/yucca%20f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="2114" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQg9l6CAz5old_NC1fAlLf2RYHx37oxK8Dje6vFzOXbyi0rwuEmjgXnSv5LwX8Y2AaiU_O3yaKy4wOCJNSScUDszxtvHCmXa8kWZZRBdkAv_LQ5rNyq7owBgJoTxD1Y5KpMBudqOgau25oTjkFSt1xMVgv0E1Bkjge7DnZD1ddFLdQMhVNOnf301Z8w/w150-h200/yucca%20f.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>It <span id="ContentPlaceHolder1_lblCharacteristics">flowers from July to August with large clusters of cream or
white bell-shaped flowers on a long (often over 1m) downwards pointing panicle which is very distinctive. </span>Despite being known as a low pollen plant, great for people with allergies, in its native habitat it reproduces through pollination by the yucca moth (<i>Tegeticula yuccasella</i>). <p></p><p><span id="ContentPlaceHolder1_lblEthnobotany">In Mexico, its early use was roofing
for homes because of the strong fibers in its leaves. It is used for rope, thread,
baskets, mats and the </span><span id="ContentPlaceHolder1_lblEthnobotany"><span id="ContentPlaceHolder1_lblCharacteristics">roots contain saponins which are toxic to humans and animals but can be used as
soap. </span>The fruit can be eaten
raw or cooked, the stem can be cooked like
asparagus and even the flowers are edible.<br /></span></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-27506898341913661822022-08-18T11:31:00.000-07:002022-08-18T11:31:43.840-07:00Plant Profile: Leucophyta brownii (Cushion Bush) <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvr-CyUOS6NBc0VqQm_nQzF7EHeePN0STLwspD8gB8MS1hQdH3FaCR6g_hykaH1d_Hoee3mAb4rPJaJ9tJO6BI-Shwvh2U8YDxydseFn1NMps7Z2nRGUOHi7hTBfYFiU0zoQ2ZC-NboQmzzJAfb2B6LvrLPdgEUtoD1hZt0LYqOFNNrOLzrAcLY1g-HQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvr-CyUOS6NBc0VqQm_nQzF7EHeePN0STLwspD8gB8MS1hQdH3FaCR6g_hykaH1d_Hoee3mAb4rPJaJ9tJO6BI-Shwvh2U8YDxydseFn1NMps7Z2nRGUOHi7hTBfYFiU0zoQ2ZC-NboQmzzJAfb2B6LvrLPdgEUtoD1hZt0LYqOFNNrOLzrAcLY1g-HQ=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><b>Latin name:</b> <em>Leucophyta</em><span class="st"><em><em></em> brownii</em> </span> ("loo-ko-FYE-tah BROW-nee-eye")<br />
<b>Common name:</b> Cushion Bush, Silver Bush<br />
<b>Originally from:</b> <span>Australia</span><br />
<b>Blooms:</b> Pale yellow pom poms dot the plant in spring and summer<br />
<b>Light:</b> Full sun to light shade.<br />
<b>Water:</b> Winter rain is enough.<br />
<b>Height x width:</b> about 2' x 2'<br />
<b>Zones:</b> 10-12<br />
<b>Where to find in P. Garden:</b> Up along the top border and also in the brights bed<br /><p></p><p>This is a great little silvery pom-pom of a shrublet with really interesting wiry branching stems, a round shape and tiny, close held leaves that make the whole thing look like a tumbleweed. They grow neatly and are more about the foliage than the flowers, but the flowers are cute little 1/2" pale yellow buttons in spring and summer.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDujzvWgb-PnjVf85BJedrmDEQOiFadvDPnyejijJv8knpFoEp--ADPLJfpA5YGq3ZEK-CCiN9p02z2hcbtHElsBTbqPst28z5B0EWiUU4sAbzKtYJL5eG5bpKlrJ2WGChjyuCPSPxmCaftkvSPQN6GVdghnU_DhdtwmAbcY7Pbv_t3ha5Px9i7UoQWw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDujzvWgb-PnjVf85BJedrmDEQOiFadvDPnyejijJv8knpFoEp--ADPLJfpA5YGq3ZEK-CCiN9p02z2hcbtHElsBTbqPst28z5B0EWiUU4sAbzKtYJL5eG5bpKlrJ2WGChjyuCPSPxmCaftkvSPQN6GVdghnU_DhdtwmAbcY7Pbv_t3ha5Px9i7UoQWw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>We never water them, and in fact they dislike soggy conditions and don't care for heavy soil, preferring poor and well-draining soil so they are perfect for us. It withstands winds and salt spray, so it's perfect for coastal gardens, and can take a light pruning to keep it tidy if needed.<br /><p></p><p>Not long lived, apparently it propagates easily by
seed or semi-hardened stem cuttings, but I've found that Flowercraft often sells inexpensive 6 packs of plug sized (about 2") plants and they grow quickly so I haven't tried propagating them yet. <br /></p><p>Occurring naturally on
coastal dunes and cliffs along the south coast of
Australia’s mainland and on the northern coasts of Tasmania, King
Island, and Flinders Islands the more compact form that is in
cultivation was a selection made from near Cape Le Grand in Western
Australia. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVehiYHJQwNdUMuKkCyBwZHqMsrU2hXNxlPDEMcaNPt0LV7OTPqn107q6SayEX7jJ-XlI5HZlbAwN-zD5qwKbO2uBcpg829NUBzZJEWjFqQwpNiktGAXD_M5NEegKYyO8AUPgiku-L6ybAeQUQy_PNPJuhuw1auAyo4NrV2xZNYwFrBCPStE7oqHNe3g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVehiYHJQwNdUMuKkCyBwZHqMsrU2hXNxlPDEMcaNPt0LV7OTPqn107q6SayEX7jJ-XlI5HZlbAwN-zD5qwKbO2uBcpg829NUBzZJEWjFqQwpNiktGAXD_M5NEegKYyO8AUPgiku-L6ybAeQUQy_PNPJuhuw1auAyo4NrV2xZNYwFrBCPStE7oqHNe3g=w200-h150" title="in the wild" width="200" /></a></div>As is common in the plant world, this one had a name change along the way, so you might see it referred to by both names. The plant has long been referred to as <i>Calocephalus brownii</i>
but the genus Calocephalus was found to be "an unnatural group" (whatever that means) and
this plant was segregated into the monotypic genus Leucophyta. <p></p><p>This
previous name for the genus, Calocephalus comes from the Greek words
'calos' meaning "beautiful' and 'cephale' meaning "head" because of the silver rounded heads of flowers. The etymology of the newer
name is from the Greek words 'leuco', meaning gray-white and 'phyta'
meaning plant so combined as "white plant", which is also appropriate.
The species name honors Robert
Brown the Scottish botanist and surgeon who botanized and collected nearly 5,000 plants in Australia on the voyage of the Investigator from 1801
until 1805.<br /></p><div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">Calocephalus brownii syn. Leucophyta brownii<br /><br /> Read more at Gardening Know How: Cushion Bush Information: Tips On Cushion Bush Care In The Garden <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm">https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm</a></div><div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">Calocephalus brownii syn. Leucophyta brownii<br /><br /> Read more at Gardening Know How: Cushion Bush Information: Tips On Cushion Bush Care In The Garden <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm">https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm</a></div><div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">Cushion bush, also
known as silver bush (Calocephalus brownii syn. Leucophyta brownii) is a
very tough and attractive perennial, native to the southern coast of
Australia and nearby islands. It’s very popular in pots, borders, and
larger clumps in the garden, most notably because of its striking silver
to white color. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow a cushion
bush and cushion bush growing conditions.
Cushion Bush Information
Cushion bush does produce small yellow flowers on the tips of its stems,
but most gardeners grow the plant for its foliage. The stems grow thick
and outward in a shape very much like a tumbleweed, and the soft leaves
stay close to the stems.<br /><br /> Read more at Gardening Know How: Cushion Bush Information: Tips On Cushion Bush Care In The Garden <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm">https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/cushion-bush/cushion-bush-information.htm</a></div>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-32909066520675800342022-08-10T14:35:00.003-07:002022-08-10T14:36:52.587-07:00Volunteer Day work<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib_-R4mWNxM7UgyCbshlB9TzplDZdm5NDEHijkRt02W4K5Y9e-10FheS2nVyBbI_eOCl72eB0GVBRw-1ubzTsSRHQf1WEYpb53ILfghduIM1EaaIa-27bgGjq7PRd8S-NWaeRpiUjJ4txR8rHRzPx5OeClXmuX9vEfkwhpReGUUGMHh6yotABoLZ6IQ/s4032/IMG_8524.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib_-R4mWNxM7UgyCbshlB9TzplDZdm5NDEHijkRt02W4K5Y9e-10FheS2nVyBbI_eOCl72eB0GVBRw-1ubzTsSRHQf1WEYpb53ILfghduIM1EaaIa-27bgGjq7PRd8S-NWaeRpiUjJ4txR8rHRzPx5OeClXmuX9vEfkwhpReGUUGMHh6yotABoLZ6IQ/w150-h200/IMG_8524.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Our August Volunteer Day was attended by a small but devoted bunch. Sadly I didn't get photos of people but I did get some pics of the work done.</div><p></p><p><b>Kai</b> and his dad <b>Kresh</b> weeded the entrance pathway with Kai's special tiny trowel that I keep ready for him, and while they did that, I deadheaded a lot of Lamb's Ears (<i>Stachys byzantina</i>), cut the cardoon (<i>Cynara carduncuulus</i>) down to the ground, trimmed the palm by the bench and weeded too.</p><p><b>Matt </b>went to the hardware store to get better stakes for the new big cactus. Some helpful (!) person had taken the guy line and all the padding off the cactus so we had to replace it all. I think the new work looks much better anyway, and as a bonus Chris found the rope and padding that had been removed, left elsewhere in the garden. Matt and I also staked up the <i>Dodonaea viscosa</i> (Purple Hopseed) on the lower path that was leaning over.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1GDXZ0NBKB2FVm8XVmhhnzkPjZzxkdSxrL3m97nO4pF6E89_9I3HZZqmr_lzJApwPoi_knyvzhGbll9NJP2KGpQSqEBnmxLcjh0YE1k2JLR7MLWgSsz3ggstpu3VF8fMI61P_onuMNBoxaWmph2TnY09xOH7iWCVq4GGUc96pLpaD61Nqh88usqM7A/s4032/IMG_8523.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1GDXZ0NBKB2FVm8XVmhhnzkPjZzxkdSxrL3m97nO4pF6E89_9I3HZZqmr_lzJApwPoi_knyvzhGbll9NJP2KGpQSqEBnmxLcjh0YE1k2JLR7MLWgSsz3ggstpu3VF8fMI61P_onuMNBoxaWmph2TnY09xOH7iWCVq4GGUc96pLpaD61Nqh88usqM7A/w150-h200/IMG_8523.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>While all that was going on, <b>Chris</b> moved the cardoon. We cut this back every year but this year it never really got very big as we were so short on rain. Generally when it gets big though it's too close to the path. So, Chris dug it up and moved it about 2' back in the bed, and also gave it a huge amount of fresh compost from the compost bins so it can bounce back. Matt watered it too.<p></p><p><b>Josh</b> planted some cactus I had brought from home on the back slope, and both he and Chris weeded a lot too.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390117992115236464.post-76938675778419339542022-08-02T13:30:00.000-07:002022-08-02T13:30:14.036-07:00Cactus delivery<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRkpHHEb-AKVF5WOf9WDKtFNzMapObL9BTzDC88rtzS4Kk6gf5gQApJgLP6tIn41qsLAbzJIdCCA6xURdpB3QIhzZiBwvCN8DHIerP98OSuMm5IyNRBfR_rwLxIlDVwSgI5Xo2OH3CJxQT1NUUWRVWPl_aVHciJ-C7Mihd-lvgD5N3bPjbXTvLOt465A" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRkpHHEb-AKVF5WOf9WDKtFNzMapObL9BTzDC88rtzS4Kk6gf5gQApJgLP6tIn41qsLAbzJIdCCA6xURdpB3QIhzZiBwvCN8DHIerP98OSuMm5IyNRBfR_rwLxIlDVwSgI5Xo2OH3CJxQT1NUUWRVWPl_aVHciJ-C7Mihd-lvgD5N3bPjbXTvLOt465A=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>John</b> messaged me recently and asked if we wanted some big columnar <i>Euphorbia ammak </i>(or <i>trigona</i>...?) cacti. I said yes before really thinking it through as usual because John always has the good stuff.<p></p><p>Off we went to John's neighbor's place in Glen Park and lo - two GIGANTIC <i>Euphorbia</i> cacti planted int he ground and needing a new home. And I mean, gigantic. So, of course, we decided to dig them up whole instead of trying to cut them apart and re-root smaller sections because, well... like I said, not thinking things through.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE1-PYaWfFpubLucjP8tV3t93DGvAJfwuVdE_12OgC0jI3LcZ2y4l_BgDleJyMVx6c7VEbE0AovaL81ckfnVf3Se10Opu5u0eWsvDAaLD3Tm1XkiFjTezrYeGk8IbyZ8z8-2wkZkHdfDJ5wLiCveBE8vo2ACTayWZZJ8hObZ7fP5uuV9a_2aZSH2KV2Q" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="828" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE1-PYaWfFpubLucjP8tV3t93DGvAJfwuVdE_12OgC0jI3LcZ2y4l_BgDleJyMVx6c7VEbE0AovaL81ckfnVf3Se10Opu5u0eWsvDAaLD3Tm1XkiFjTezrYeGk8IbyZ8z8-2wkZkHdfDJ5wLiCveBE8vo2ACTayWZZJ8hObZ7fP5uuV9a_2aZSH2KV2Q" width="135" /></a></div>With John's help, Matt and I attached each specimen to a tall ladder for support with bungies and rope, padded with drop cloths, then dug it up, lowered it to the ground, and carried it down a flight of steps (!) to the truck where we had to hoist them onto the roof and tie it down with even more rope. <p></p><p>Fun times - did you know cacti are mainly water and as such... HEAVY?</p><p>Then we drove slowly along back roads (vs the freeway) home to Pacifica to keep speeds down and avoid the beasts falling off the roof. Once home, we enlisted a friend to help unload them onto our driveway - said friend was a bit daunted when he arrived because Matt didn't sufficiently describe the task when asking for help...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlAAY3ufw3bKg-JmYp1iKUr2uBcGPAww9sH9P-4ujjd2ZYDqdGwS2lfJtJ31cJR4Cl9sWORhQu_kN71b-dxP80jpzsbhgty27wV2mEU0qK8axytesEE_OgthCcjDxCFz02wfXNO4qlzzFim1gErFf-Q2Q6byXoFr4IPNsztOTEEeVDzr8LL2kPx7ITcA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3050" data-original-width="2288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlAAY3ufw3bKg-JmYp1iKUr2uBcGPAww9sH9P-4ujjd2ZYDqdGwS2lfJtJ31cJR4Cl9sWORhQu_kN71b-dxP80jpzsbhgty27wV2mEU0qK8axytesEE_OgthCcjDxCFz02wfXNO4qlzzFim1gErFf-Q2Q6byXoFr4IPNsztOTEEeVDzr8LL2kPx7ITcA=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>The next week we planted the smaller one at our house, and last weekend we managed to hoist the bigger one BACK onto the truck with just the two of us, drive back to the city, and with the help of <b>Josh</b> and <b>Jim</b> we planted it at PG. It is a realistic 15' tall and it was HARD WORK, but it's done and it looks magnificent!<p></p><p>We will keep the guy line on it for quite a while as it didn't have much in the way of roots and needs the support. If it falls over I <i>will</i> cry.<br /></p>Xanthoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05331235481758127972noreply@blogger.com0