This peony is endemic to southwestern California (USA) and northernmost Baja California (Mexico). It grows on dry hillsides in the coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities of the coastal mountains.
The plant dies back in the summer, and tolerates little or no water while dormant. It puts forth its compound leaves after a good winter rain, which this year happened in mid-November. So we’re seeing the flowers already, before the end of the year. Nice!
It’s red berry season in this part of the world, and our yard boasts three different shrubs bearing this cheerful fruit. None of them are native; in fact both cotoneaster and firethorn are considered invasive in California. I’d like to replace them both with our lovely endemic toyon.
Ventura Botanic Garden is free on Fridays. And you can take your dog on Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a very steep site with ocean views all the way up. Definitely a place to return to in spring.
Before leaving Palm Springs, I spent a few hours in the desert oasis of Andreas Canyon on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. There’s spectacular geology, and a permanent creek bordered by dense California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera), the only palm species native to the southwestern United States. Pretty velvety goldenrod was flourishing in the dappled shade. Such a gorgeous place to ‘forest bathe’ before the long drive home.
What’s going on here? A little research results in the guess that this is Agave celsii ‘Nova’, allegedly “rather famous for performing unusual bloom tricks” (ref).
I made this page over a week ago; yesterday I saw that the remainder of the plant had disappeared, before I got a chance to dig it up and cage the roots.
I want to plant a lot more natives in the front yard, so I’m going to have to come up with a tactic to protect them while they get established.
Our neighbour invited me over to peruse her garden for seeds and cuttings. I came home with Queen Anne’s Lace seeds (Daucus carota) along with ferns, tillandsia, and various other pretty things. So I made her a thank you card and dropped it in her mailbox.
