Now Blooming: April in my [new] Native Plant Garden

I've been watching with eagerness as Superbloom 2019 has been unfolding across Southern California, deeply envious of those who have time to travel in order to experience the breathtaking phenomenon taking place this spring!

In 2016, we experienced the bloom in Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park.

In 2017, we ventured into the wilds of Carrizo Plain National Monument for a weekend immersed in wildflowers, as the grassland exploded into glorious bloom.

In 2018, we saw exactly two annual wildflowers blooming in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (unlike the thousands upon thousands in bloom this year *sad face*) but were delighted by the array of blooming desert trees and shrubs.

This year, we have a bigger trip planned for a little later this spring... so until then I will just have to be patient!

True, the foothills and grasslands closer to home are in bloom as well, and well worth a quick trip.  But even closer to home, my own little native plant garden is bursting with blooms!  These plants have only been in the ground since last fall, so they are still quite small.  But they're putting out some beautiful flowers, and the hummingbirds are lining up to visit!

Here is a quick look at what's blooming in my garden now.

In the perennial borders around the backyard:

'Jelly Bean' Monkey Flower

'Jelly Bean' Monkey Flower 
Blue-eyed Grass


One-leaf Onion

White Sea Thrift

In the desert garden, which surrounds a Palo Verde tree:

Western Desert Penstemon

Desert Penstemon


Apricot Globe Mallow

Tufted Evening Primrose

Palo Verde

Hummingbirds and shiny black carpenter bees love penstemon!


And in the front yard, which takes its inspiration from nearby foothills as well as coastal sage scrub plant communities:

Salvia 'Bee's Bliss'

Foothill Penstemon

California Lilac 

And one quick shot of my very much not native roses and lily-of-the-valley (because I adore all flowers - and these smell so wonderful!!)


It's shaping up to be a beautiful, bloomy spring!!  Enjoy!

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