Nora Harlow Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Summer-Dry | Celebrate Plants in Summer-Dry Gardens

31 01, 2023

April Showers Bring May Flowers — Or Do They?

April Showers Bring May Flowers — Or Do They?

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:37:45-07:00Categories: Blog, Climate, Nora Harlow|Tags: nora harlow, climate|

If it seems that some of your trees or shrubs are leafing out or flowering early these days, it may be so. One of the most commonly observed effects of global warming is early onset of these usually reliable signs of approaching spring. Ceanothus maritimus ‘Valley Violet’ usually blooms in early spring. The species is native to coastal bluffs of San Luis Obispo County, California. We know that global warming is not just something that will happen in the future. It’s happening now, has been for decades, and the speed of change is accelerating. According to the

14 01, 2023

Ferns for Summer-Dry Climates

Ferns for Summer-Dry Climates

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:37:43-07:00Categories: Blog, California Native, Nora Harlow, ferns|Tags: california native, nora harlow, ferns|

Guaranteed to lift your spirits on the dreariest of winter days, summer-dormant Polypodium californicum (California polypody) appears suddenly with the first fall rains, remains a lustrous bright green until mid-spring, and then just as suddenly dies back to the ground leaving barely a trace. Polypodium californicum in University of California, Berkeley, Botanical Garden Native to coastal California and northern Baja California, Polypodium californicum is usually found in shaded canyons, on streambanks and north-facing slopes, and on rocky cliffs and bluffs within or near the summer-fog zone. A volunteer in my northern California garden, it has reappeared reliably

23 10, 2022

Ginkgo

Ginkgo

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:33:27-07:00Categories: Blog, trees, shrubs, Nora Harlow|

My neighbor's ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) is coloring up again, bright yellow now, headed for screaming saffron. I don't know why it still surprises me, this always welcome yet somehow unnerving contrast against the dark green coast live oaks and bays that dominate my garden. This ginkgo was planted more than thirty years and three neighbors ago and its fall transformation still takes me by surprise. Fall colors of Ginkgo biloba in the San Francisco Botanical Garden Usually planted for its stunning fall color, Ginkgo biloba is attractive and interesting at any time of year. Long-lived

30 09, 2022

Scented Geraniums

Scented Geraniums

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:33:26-07:00Categories: Blog, Garden Plants, Nora Harlow, subshrubs|Tags: nora harlow, subshrubs|

Plants commonly known as scented geraniums are species and cultivars of the genus Pelargonium with especially fragrant leaves. Most pelargoniums have at least lightly aromatic leaves, but some are grown primarily for their fragrance. Minty, fruity, spicy, nutty, lemony, or other distinctive aromas are released when leaves are touched or bruised. Pelargonium 'Orsett', with mint-scented leaves, cascades over rocks and walls Scented geraniums are small, tender, fast-growing, semi-woody subshrubs native to summer-dry, winter-wet climates of southern Africa. They are easily grown where winters are mild and where, if summers are hot, some afternoon shade can be

12 07, 2022

Island Morning Glory

Island Morning Glory

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:33:23-07:00Categories: Blog, vines, California Native, Nora Harlow|Tags: california native, nora harlow, vine|

There aren't many vines native to California, and few are truly evergreen. Fewer still are both evergreen and vigorous enough to cover a good-sized arbor or trellis. Calystegia macrostegia (coastal or island morning glory) is one that really fills the bill. It may drop leaves in summer if grown dry, but a little supplemental water or summer fog is enough to keep it green and growing near the coast. And vigorous? You may have to hold it back. Widely flaring flowers of Calystegia macrostegia tend to close by late afternoon or on cloudy days. The species is

29 06, 2022

Shrubby Tanoak

Shrubby Tanoak

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:33:22-07:00Categories: Blog, trees, shrubs, California Native, Nora Harlow|Tags: california native, nora harlow, trees, shrubs|

Tanoak or tanbark oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. densiflorus) is a large evergreen tree with deep green, leathery, oblong leaves with prominent veins, sometimes wavy edges, and often toothed margins. The small, creamy white, late-spring flowers are held in showy clusters of narrow, stiffly upright or outstretched catkins. The leaves and flowers resemble those of American chestnut (Castanea americana) and the fruit is an oaklike acorn with a shallow, bristly cap. New leaves of shrubby tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides) Tanoaks are interesting and attractive at all times of year, but they are quite slow growing and they eventually

2 06, 2022

Matilija Poppy

Matilija Poppy

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:18-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials, California Native, Nora Harlow|Tags: california native, nora harlow, perennials|

You will hear that Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is hard to start and hard to stop, and to some extent this is true. But if you plant this magnificent California native from one-gallon cans in late fall or early winter, and the spot you choose has excellent drainage (hillsides, mounds, raised beds), you should have self-sustaining plants by the second year. Plant carefully without disturbing the roots. Water thoroughly at planting and weekly through the first summer. The huge (4-6 inches across) white, crepe-papery flowers with bright yellow stamens each last about a week and then cleanly drop all their