Today we had 2 objectives: 1) do a general survey of the parts of the garden we didn’t survey last week and 2) introduce two new volunteers to the garden who had never visited before: Lisa Colangelo and Robert Cary. Lisa and Robert were a great help from the get go, and it was fun giving them an overview (however haphazard!) of the garden southwest of the service road, and the hilltop. Luckily, we had most of the Tuesday Crew present today so the new volunteers could meet us. In addition to Lisa and Robert, Beverly Kemmerling, Irene Rowland, Daryl Stutley, Nancy Taylor Walker, Janet Wall, and I started up the path at the first 4-corners looking for areas needing attention. Bill Dobner was on site tending to the compost, tidying the shade house and watering the plants in the service area.
The first area we came upon was the bank of bulbine on the uphill side of the path. It looks much more kempt if the spent bloom stalks are removed, so we tackled that job for the first of several rows. More rows will be addressed in subsequent weeks.
Above, Lisa, Robert, me, Janet, Beverly and Irene looking up as Nancy took our picture.
Next, we stopped at the area just above entrance B to the Nature Trail. Here we reviewed the history of that area, namely that it was a trial run for the eventual design of Sage Hill as envisioned by Beverly Brune. There is still a triangle visible with the Encelia californica with remnants of white sage, bladder pod and purple sage. Below Janet is spreading some of the white sage seeds in the immediate vicinity.
Janet spreading seeds, with Lisa, Robert and Beverly in the background.
When we got to the second 4-corners, we tackled the dead tops of the chasmanthe that goes summer dormant.
Lisa and Nancy at work. We left some that were still mostly green for another day.
Janet, Beverly and Daryl in front of a bulbine that Daryl deadheaded as the rest of us went to the top of the hill to introduce Lisa and Robert to the Desert Garden.
Below, Janet and Irene showing Lisa and Robert some the natives on the north side of the hill:
sugarbush, lemonade berry, chamise, matilija poppies, sage brush, etc. Jim Cyr has done a good job in weed whacking the tops of the mustard and star thistle.
Finally, I couldn’t resist the beautiful flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius). The species name gives away one of its most distinguishing features — leaves shaped like maple leaves. It’s toward the far end of the Trail of Trees.
Thanks to Nancy and Beverly for their images.
Enjoy the garden! KMM
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