December at Rancho

Many people have told me how that they plan to get out to Rancho - one of these days. I realize how hard it is to drive around southern California, especially during the holiday season, but I hope these pictures will entice some of you to make the trip.

I took the pictures on December 5th, a cool, cloudy, winter day. The early pictures were taken in the Communities, the least managed and maintained portion of the Garden. The ones toward the end are taken on the Mesa in the Cultivar Garden, Container Garden, and the riparian area.

In a sense the Garden is least spectacular in the fall and winter. Winter, though, has beautiful views of the mountains upon a backdrop of cloudy skies. December and January feature flowering manzanitas (Arctostaphylos). The California lilacs (Ceanothus) come into bloom in January, February and March. And then, of course, the place is a riot of colors from March through April. As the heat increases in April, May and June, the desert plants become the star players. Berries, summer composites (daisy-like plants), California fuchsia (Epilobium), desert lilac (Chilopsis) and coast buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) brighten up the hot days of summer.

So enjoy the tour!

Refugio manzanita (Arctostaphylos refugioensis) is one of the early blooming manzanitas.


Scalebroom (Lepidospartum squamatum ) flowers and fruits among fruiting buckeye (Aesculus californica).


A view of the desert area of the Communities with subdued purplish,-gray color beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris) in the foreground.


Looking north toward the mountains, paperflower (Psilostrophe cooperi) blooms in the foreground.


Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) stands above and behind desert scrub of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) and desert almond, (Prunus fasciculata).


Box elder (Acer negundo) in bright yellow autumn colors.


Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) shows its holiday colors among the white branches of a dormant buckeye (Aesculus californica).


Cliff goldenbush (Ericameria cuneata), usually found growing in tight clumps from rocky cliffs in the San Gabriels, has enjoyed being pampered in its unusual home in the Container Garden.


Showy penestemon (Penstemon spectabilis) seems to bloom nearly all year, though these early flowers are a harbinger of the massive display that can be seen each spring in the Communities.


Centennial coyote brush (Baccharis 'Centennial') is one of the few coyote brush cultivars to bloom prolifically. Grown for its evergreen foliage, most cultivars are male, and have a limited floral display. To the right are some California fuchsias (Epilobium) that have been blooming in the Cultivar garden for about six months now.


Willow (Salix sp.) with yellow autumn foliage in the riparian area of the Mesa.


Cannot get enough of the spectacular Roger's Red Grape (Vitis 'Roger's Red). Here it drapes over a gazebo in the Cultivar Garden.


Enjoy the beauty around you. Happy holidays to all!

The Mystery of the Plant Slayer

It’s mid-December. Even in California, the sunlight that buoys my spirit is diminished. It gets dark at around five in the afternoon, and the winter storms are upon us. Though each year I anxiously await the return of the rains, the cold weather and darkened sky temporarily dampen my mood. It has not been a great year on the news front either. Unemployment remains unacceptably high. Our glorious golden state, still in a fiscal nightmare, raises the sales tax while taking an ax to education, the one endeavor with a future. And the environmental picture… Don’t get me started.

When the big problems seem too big, my garden has always been a place of comfort. Watching birds flitter around, noticing the first wildflower seedlings, and picking avocados and lettuce all make me feel like things will be okay. I hope that those who do not have a garden find similar solace in parks and urban community gardens, with the added advantage of being able to socialize with their neighbors.

But back to the garden. Along the sidewalk the Ray Hartman California lilac is filling out nicely. Yet when I step outside to look at it, I see something that I have seen all too often over the past few years. Branches are broken and split on one shrub, the other is pulled over. A newly planted monkey flower is uprooted and thrown into the middle of the front lawn. The soil is wet from the rains, so I right the California lilac and replant the monkey flower. I cut the split branches off the other shrub, realizing it probably will not survive. Then I go inside to call the police, again. A polite woman on the phone gives me an “Incident Number” and tells me that the police will drive around our block more often. Little comfort to me.

Ray Hartman Ceanothus was doing well until someone ripped off lower branches splitting the main stem near the base.


A second Ray Hartman Ceanothus that was pulled over. A third one was damaged too but it was already stunted from earlier attacks.


So what is going on here? Putting on my detective hat, I remember that this kind of thing has been going on for at least three years. The worst case was when several young trees along the sidewalk were uprooted and destroyed. One wildflower season, large spectacular flowering annuals were pulled out in the height of their glory and thrown into the bushes. I posted signs asking people to keep a look out for the wildflower murderer. In spite of everyone’s disgust, the monster eluded capture. Still, branches from trees are broken and left hanging, innocent young plants are robbed of their colorful promise, and venerable older shrubs are defiled.

I do not mean to make light of this, though it does help put it into perspective. This is not a major crime. Yet because it has been going on for several years I believe one of my neighbors is using this as a way to intimidate and bully us. So what are my options? I have spoken to the police and it is highly unlikely that they can help. I have spoken to neighbors. Since the plant murderer is not doing his/her nefarious deeds while others are around to see, I am expecting little help from them, either.

I now look to the garden itself for solutions. I have reduced the amount I garden outside the fence. This is unfortunate for me and for the pedestrians who do enjoy the garden but I find it less pleasant to be out there than to work inside the yard. In addtion, I no longer plant things that I pay for. I only put in plants I propagate from cuttings, and even here I am putting in less and less. Instead, I am letting native bunch grasses reseed themselves since they are tough, durable and hard to hurt. In response the garden is taking on a slightly wilder look, something I am enjoying. And there is less pampering needed for these plants. I am also seeding more with wildflowers. Yes some will be pulled out, their desiccating forms dangling in shrubs, but no one can pull out all of them.

So the plant murderer has gotten a response from me, but maybe not the one he/she wants. This trivial but supremely unfriendly act will change the garden but not for the worse. It will become tougher and stronger, but the flowers will continue to bloom each year.

Monkey flowers that I am potting up from 4 inch plants. Pot in front has cuttings of these young plants.


The whole thing makes me sad but I try to keep it in perspective. Many of my neighbors tell me how much they enjoy this little strip of wild suburbia along the sidewalk. I have overheard young kids explaining to their parents how the mulch helps the plants. It is, after all, probably just one person who is trying to spoil it for many, and that will not happen. The big problems we face are not so easily solved but our gardens can teach us how to approach them.

Thousand Cankers Disease Hits Native Walnuts

On Tuesday, December 8th, I attended an information session at the Audubon Center at Debs Park on a new disease affecting walnut trees, including the two California native black walnuts, Juglans californica (native to southern California), and J. hindsii (the northern native). Steve Seybold, chemical ecologist and forest entomologist of the Davis-based Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, and an affiliate of the Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, spoke to landscape professionals about this newly recognized disease.

Seybold was invited to speak to the group by consulting arborist, Angela Liu (angelaliuLA@gmail.com). Liu first saw evidence of the disease while preparing a report for the Audubon Center about the native walnuts at their facility. While examining the walnuts in Debs Park she noticed some disease problems. At the same time Liu learned of a new disease, Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD), affecting walnuts. Noticing what appeared to be evidence of the disease, Liu contacted UC Davis for positive identification (the sample tested positive for TCD). She also invited Seybold to give a presentation on what is known about the new and alarming disease.

Group looking at affected southern black walnut (Juglans californica).


Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) has only very recently been observed. It appears to be caused by a tiny beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis that burrows into trees, carrying a fungal disease, Geosmithia sp. It is believed at this time that the beetle is native and has been around and widely distributed for a long time. It was first collected in Los Angeles County in 1959. Examination of the beetles shows evidence of a complex community of natural enemies further supporting the theory that it is native. The fungal disease, though, was only recently reported, in 2008. It may be non-native, or a new organism, though there is still much more research needed to determine where it came from and how to control it.

Pinhole sized entrance and exit holes of tiny walnut twig beetle.


Evidence of the tiny walnut twig beetle appears in the form of pinholes in the branch bark of affected trees. The beetle is a phloem feeder that acts as a vector for the fungus. The fungus colonizes and kills the phloem of branches and stems, causing the development of stained bark cankers, hence the name, Thousand Cankers Disease. The disease is confirmed through testing for the fungus. Flagging, branch dieback, pinhole size holes in the bark, and staining are signs of the disease. Evidence of TCD has been widespread.

Other evidence of TCD include branch dieback and staining. Disease is confirmed by testing for the fungus, Geosmithia sp.


During the information session, Seybold shared displays of infected branches and samples of the beetle. He showed pictures of the male and female adult insects and larvae, and video clips of the beetles in action. Out in the field, Seybold pointed out the tiny pinhole-sized entrance and exit holes caused by the beetles in walnut trees at Debs Park. He also showed staining and cankers probably caused by the disease.

In addition to affecting native California black walnuts, the eastern black walnut (J. nigra) is highly susceptible. At this time the nut producing English walnut (J. regia) appears to be fairly resistant, though there is evidence of the disease in the Paradox rootstock, used in the walnut industry.

There are many questions about the course of the disease, the extent of mortality and resistance, and control. Researchers are concerned and are actively studying this new fungal disease for answers.

Arborist, Angela Liu, suggests that you contact a certified arborist if you think you are seeing evidence of TCD. If you have more questions you can reach Angela Liu at angelaliuLA@gmail.com.

For more information on Thousand Cankers Disease check out the following articles:
Beetle and Fungus One-Two Punch Threatens Black Walnut Trees, Scientists Warn. July 2, 2009. University of California, Davis, Department of Entomology.

Pest Alert Walnut Twig Beetle and Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut. Colorado State University.

Fungal disease attacks black walnut trees in eight Western states by Li Lou in Sacramento Bee, December 13, 2009.

My Very Own Guacamole

I am rushing off to a meeting on native walnut trees and wanted to upload a picture of something I am very proud of. I made this guacamole today from ingredients that only came from my garden... except the salt. The tomatoes this year were disappointing but one plant keeps making them. They don't ripen on the stem - too cold - so I have been bringing them inside and putting them in a paper bag with an apple. They taste okay, not great. Anyway, there are also chives and cilantro in the mix, with a generous squirt of lemon juice from the meyer's lemons. The avocado is the Mexcali variety which is my favorite.

Phew! I think I will actually make it to the meeting on time.

Angeles Crest Highway Opened Monday

The Angeles Crest Highway opened for the first time last Monday since the Station Fire in August. There's a new road, new guard rails, new signs, and evidence of lots of other new infrastructure. A monumental achievement!

Today I decided I couldn't wait any longer before visiting the mountains I have missed so much. Of course I brought my camera and headed up there in the late afternoon to get the best lighting. It is easy to take dramatic pictures in a burn area. It is impossible to convey the emotional impact of seeing such large scale destruction. Other than cars and trucks - and there were lots of them - it is kind of eerie in its quietness. No birds or leaves rustling. And so much debris!

Late Autumn in the Garden

It was a cool day today but for me this is southern California at its best. The toyon berries are bright red, Roger's Red grape has autumn foliage that competes with New England (yes, I said it! - well, on a smallish scale anyway), the grasses are tawny, the sky cloudy, and Milo happy.

Milo guarding the homestead. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries, Roger's Red grape (Vitis 'Roger's Red'), purple three-awn grass (Arisitida purpurea ssp. purpurea).


Yellow leaves of Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus) in dormant alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)


Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries, Roger's Red grape (Vitis 'Roger's Red'), Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus).


Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries, Roger's Red grape (Vitis 'Roger's Red')


Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries, Roger's Red grape (Vitis 'Roger's Red'), Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus).


Lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard, celery and herbs. Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) in back is still a hummingbird attraction.


I am planning to plant some monkeyflowers in the front yard. For now I wouldn't be doing anything in the back since we are hoping to make big changes. We are working with a landscape designer for the first time, so I'm a bit nervous but hopeful that we will come up with something exciting.

Spent a little time tonight cleaning up the my blog lists on the right. It had gotten a bit messy. Any thoughts on that?

Sowing Wildflowers

While many of my neighbors have been busy germinating rye grass in manure, I have been getting ready to sow annual seeds for the glorious spring wildflower season. This year, more than usual, I am anxious to have a long-lasting wildflower season so that the garden is colorful for the backyard wedding for our son and daughter-in-law-to-be this coming June.

A few weeks ago Ginny Hunt, of Suncrest Nurseries and Seedhunt, spoke about growing annuals from seed at a meeting of the Southern California Horticultural Society. She showed wonderful pictures of beautiful and unusual annuals, many native to California, that she grows for seed production in her central California garden. (A list of seeds available through her internet, mail order seed business can be found on the Seedhunt website.) She also showed pictures of her seedhouse and seedbeds while describing ways to germinate and grow annuals from seed.

Ginny discussed germination and the need to break dormancy for some seeds. Methods to do this include using smoke treatment (chemically provided with "Super Smoke Plus") to simulate wildfire conditions, refrigeration to mimic seasonal changes, and soaking seeds like lupines that have hard, impermeable seed coats.

Ginny prefers to grow annuals in open beds outdoors. Some seedlings are grown in seed pans and transplanted, while others are grown in raised seedbeds. All are grown in soils and conditions that Ginny has determined to be most advantageous. Typically the soil medium is extremely well-drained with a high sand content. Varying amount of organic material is added to the mix, woodland plants usually requiring more than desert or chaparral plants. These amendments can be added to a regular potting soil for raised beds and seed pans. Similar practices are followed at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Annual wildflower beds there are also often top dressed with coarse, decomposed granite or gravel.

I knew that I couldn't miss this talk because I was determined to ask Ginny how to prolong the wildflower season for the wedding. We discussed growing annuals that typically flower later in the spring, like Clarkias (Clarkia spp.), madias (Madia spp.), tarweeds (Hemizonia spp.), and sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). It was suggested that I sow the wildflowers over a longer period this winter. I also learned that if I cut back the clarkias before they set seed (lots of bouquets this spring!), they will continue to bloom for a longer period. And most importantly, I was told to water the wildflower beds after the rains stop and the temperatures rise. I usually don't do this since the sidewalk garden is intended to be very low water use, but this year the rains, either naturally or artificially, will extend well into spring.

In my October 22nd post I included a picture of sprouting wildflower seeds. The cotyledons (sometimes called the seed leaves because they are the first set of leaves to appear after the seed germinates) were out. No true leaves (those that grow after the cotyledons) were present. Often it is difficult for gardeners to remember what the wildflower seedlings look like, even after they have gotten their true leaves. It is important to remove weedy annuals from the garden so that the wildflowers have a chance, and not knowing which little baby plant is which, can be a real drawback. This drawback almost led to a unfortunate consequence back in 1998 when I was a volunteer in the Cultivar Garden at Rancho. I nearly decimated the entire crop of California bluebells (Phacelia minor), confusing it for some weed I used to see on the east coast. Right now I can't remember which one, but maybe one of my eastern readers will know. Anyway, something made me stop before doing the deed and I was relieved and rewarded by the flowers that followed.

California bluebells that I almost weeded out. (Notice tidytips and California poppy seedlings to right.)

California bluebells in bloom. So glad I didn't kill them all!

California bluebells in bloom. (California poppy and weedy filaree leaves on lower right.)

A gardener friend of mine suggested seeding pots when you sow your wildflowers seeds in the garden. This way you have a labeled pot with just one type of wildflower. Furthermore, growing annuals in pots is truly lovely. I have done this a few times, but as you may have guessed if you have been reading this blog, I am not nearly as systematic and I would like to be. This year will be different!!!!

Pot seeded with baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) on January 4, 2009.

Pot seeded with baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), March 29, 2009.

Seedling of baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii). (Gilia capitata on lower right.)

To finish this rather long entry, I am posting pictures of some native wildflower and weedy seedlings. Over the years I have tried to take pictures of those that grow at roughly the same time, and look similar when young, with the hopes of reducing the level of my general confusion. Hope this doesn't add to your general confusion!

Tidytips (Layia platyglossa) on left. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) on lower right.

Tidytips (Layia platyglossa) in bloom - notice leaf shape on right.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) with long tap root that must be removed for effective control.

Globe gilia (Gilia capitata) on the left has fleshier leaves, with fewer hairs and brighter green color than bird's eye gilia (Gilia tricolor) on the right.

Globe gilia (Gilia capitata) on left, bird's eye gilia (Gilia tricolor) on right.

Garden weed, swinecress (Coronopus didymus) on left, globe gilia (Gilia capitata) on right.

Swinecress (Coronopus didymus) on left, cosmos in middle, globe gilia (Gilia capitata) on right.

Globe gilia (Gilia capitata).

Swinecress (Coronopus didymus).

If you are not totally confused, add this one to the list:

Weedy filaree (Erodium spp.). Get rid of this wherever you see it!

Check the UC IPM website for great pictures and information about common garden weeds.

Here's to sowing the seeds of a brilliant wildflower season!