Garden Activities: March 25, 2025

I’m starting out today by discussing an important plant in our collection. It is the San Clemente Island Bush Mallow (Malacothamnus clementinus) named for the island where it is endemic. According to CalScape, it is very rare and endangered. Propagation is assumed to be mainly by rhizome as it rarely produces viable seed. We are fortunate to have a specimen planted in the last year or so in the Channel Island area of the native section directly across the path from the 3 mature Ironwood trees. Because of its rarity it is worth a trip to the garden to see it in bloom. Our specimen is pictured below:

On site were Steve Davis, Bill Dobner, Irem Bayrak Dingle, Dale Harshberger, Beverly Kemmerling, Irene Rowland, Daryl Stutley, Nancy Taylor Walker, and Janet Wall. The main task for the day was unusual in that rather then obliterate a patch of stinging nettle, it was carefully harvested to be used in the kitchen by Irene. If you’re not familiar with it, it is pictured below. Rather innocuous until you brush against it with bare skin when you painfully become aware of why it gets its common name. 

And below, Irene briefing the group on the uses of nettles and the harvesting technique. Beverly, Janet Nancy, Irem, Dale and Irene pictured below:

Daryl, Irene (with collection bag), Janet, Dale, Bill facing away, and Irem:

Steve brought some Calla Lily divisions that Beverly planted in Lillian's Meadow along with one of two asters. Nancy and Irem planted the second aster in the native section. Dale and Irene trimmed wild rose in the Mediterranean Garden and also cleared an overgrown Cistus to expose the Acanthus that has a flower spike ready to bloom in the near future. Bill attended to the composting as pictured below (with Janet in the background):

Many thanks to Nancy and Steve for their images and descriptions of the work.

Enjoy the garden!   KMM