~ A somewhat autobiographical look at how plants have impacted my life ~
We’re Having a Heatwave
The weather in San Diego experienced extreme heat and humidity from July through September, culminating in a record-breaking six-day heatwave in early October. Though a tropical storm brought much-needed rain, many plants suffered distress, showing signs like wilting and yellowing leaves. The heat caused chlorophyll breakdown, revealing other pigments and stressing roots, impacting nutrient transport. Various plants, including agaves and hibbertias, sustained damage, with some dying due to excessive sun exposure. Conversely, tropical plants in shaded areas thrived. As autumn approached, signs of seasonal change and the beneficial rain provided hope for recovery.
Southwest Australia – Stirling Ranges National Park
In September 2016, a visit to Stirling Range National Park revealed its rich biodiversity, featuring over 1,500 plant species, many unique to the area. The landscape, resembling Arizona’s with diverse flora like Kingia australis and Eucalyptus tetraptera, showcased the park’s
Southwest Australia – Fitzgerald River Park
In September of 2016 while touring Southwest Australia, we set out for Fitzgerald River National Park ( 815,160 acres) a UNESCO Biosphere site. Unfortunately, the bridge across the mouth of the estuary had been severely damaged by a storm surge
Southwest Australia – Cape le Grande NP
In Sept of 2016 Scott Borden and i visited Southwestern Australia. We stayed a couple of nights in Esperance on the South Australia Sea. We explored the coastline and several national parks. The south coast has many large granite domes
Southwest Australia – The Wave Rock
Western Australia’s interior features distinctive orange-red soil, flat terrain, and extensive unpaved roads. The area is marked by nutrient-poor soils and unique flora. The journey includes a visit to Wave Rock, scenic stops, and the rabbit-proof fence, leading to the
Southwest Australia – King’s Park
At the end of September, 2016, after attending a Pacific Horticulture tour of Singapore and Bali gardens, I met up with Scott Borden for a tour of Western Australia…or as they might say in the land down under, a Strine
Agavaceae – the Aggravation
Agaves are great garden plants since most are low water, need little maintenance and can add a strong accent to gardens. However, there are also problems.The obvious problem with growing agaves is that many of them have sharp leaves. Some
Agavaceae – the Adoration
We have a lot of agaves in our garden. However, it took me a while to warm up to agaves. One of the first ones I grew was Agave victoriae-reginae. It looks like a giant artichoke with stiff leaves that
The Plants Start to Go In!
This is a continuation of earlier posts about filling in our swimming pool and replacing it with a garden. The previous posts were about the construction and garden hardscape. This post is about the planting of the former pool area.
O Canada! Revisited
The author reflects on how a 1984 family trip to British Columbia inspired their gardening journey in Encinitas, California. Revisiting Butchart and VanDusen Gardens in 2016, they note significant differences in plant growth due to climatic variations. They now appreciate
South Africa – The Garden Route
The author recounts a trip through South Africa, emphasizing the beauty of the Western Cape’s flora, including wildflowers and the Cape of Good Hope’s scenery. Highlights include a road trip along the Garden Route, exploration of indigenous plants, a wildlife
Kirstenbosch – This is the place!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases over 7,000 plant species, including rare and endangered ones. The writer’s visit featured diverse plant collections, highlighting the King Protea, South Africa’s national flower. A subsequent sunny
Nieuwoudtville, South Africa
This year, I celebrated my 60th birthday by traveling, including a much-anticipated trip to South Africa. With a focus on its diverse plant life, particularly bulbs, I explored Nieuwoudtville, the “Bulb Capital of the World,” witnessing stunning wildflowers, quiver trees,