Echo Mountain

Despite what some say, Los Angeles has a fall season... here are some of the colors in the San Gabriel Mountains, richer and brighter on an overcast day after the first storm of the season.

air garden

For my birthday, I got myself two more air plants to join the one I already had. Now they make an air garden, or a funny cast of characters-- each with its own, distinct personality. Usually, they look like this:



Then one day last week, I came home and saw them lit up in such a way that they glowed intensely, for just a few minutes, and then it was over. A sign that the sun is setting earlier now, too:

Malibu beach party

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

A month ago, I finally took a trip to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. I had been told that this is the best place in LA to see native plants, and it lived up to the promise. Every few steps, we exclaimed at another amazing plant in flower or with a dramatic form. It was the second week in May and many annuals and perennials were still in bloom, and some trees were as well.

We loved this mass planting of Artemisia tridentata, Great Basin Sagebrush. The soft, silvery foliage is dramatic against the blue sky:

What a creative container garden! These hanging containers were made from chicken wire wrapped around metal hoops. They had nestled groups of 4" pots inside:

Some scruffy palms and a row of native buckwheat. The dry palm "skirts" always remind me of costume you might see in an African dance.

A shady path

Heuchera in bloom, under a native oak tree:

Tongva Park

Tongva Park in Santa Monica opened last year; I finally made a visit two weekends ago.

Santa Monica was crowded that day, but not the park. Perhaps people haven't totally taken ownership of it. I also notice that public space in LA seems to be most active only when it is programmed-- with concerts, food, and other events, making a critical mass of people.


The chasmanthe was in full bloom and looked great backlit.

Chasmanthe and the dancing flower heads of Pennisetum spathiolatum:

The design concept refers to an arroyo, or seasonal stream, that used to exist on this site. The curving, sand-colored forms reminded me mostly of dunes.

One of two overlooks towards the ocean and Santa Monica Pier:

The oceanside entrance-- in the background you can see what must be the busiest corner in Santa Monica, leading to and from the Pier. I thought I'd stroll that way but was totally put off by the human tide!

Ciclavia

This time, the Ciclavia route was 6 miles of Wilshire Blvd, from LACMA east into downtown. I was excited to be so close (2 blocks) from the route, and to see the street scene I know well be completely transformed! LACMA is on the left here:

Heading into MacArthur Park near downtown, and my favorite moment of the ride, coasting downhill through the park

Heading back west

At the La Brea Tar Pits (which I learned translates to "the the tar tar pits")

garden tour

Wow, it's been awhile!

I spent a lovely Saturday morning touring some of the gardens on the Theodore Payne Foundation garden tour weekend. The weather was gorgeous, and I felt kind of like I was at summer camp with a bunch of other native plant enthusiasts. At the peak of bloom, these plants and gardens were inspiring. This first garden, in particular, was clearly the result of great imagination and dedication. I have never seen so many happy bees, feasting on all these native plants! There were also goldfinches mobbing a feeder and on the sages as well.

One of my favorite plants on the tour was this gorgeous hybrid native sage, Salvia 'Desperado'

White sage in bloom