The late spring rains are helping transform this spring into another magical wildflower year here in the Sierra Foothills. Wards Ferry Canyon was ablaze with poppies at the end of March and I was very excited to find Pipevine blooming in Murder’s Gulch. It was growing in large masses up the Redbuds and oak trees. To find it, follow the Pipevine swallowtail. Having seen it, I am now even more inspired to actually grow in it in our garden.
I was also inspired to start a wildflower blog to remind everyone of the displays of natural beauty all around us. Look for these blogs on our Wildflower Watch..
04/04/2009 - 05:57
04/04/2009 - 16:38
Table Mountain is one of our favorite hikes early spring. It happens early and quick, and dries out fast. But while it is on, it is indescribable, with vernal pools, cushions of brightly colored Parvisedum pumilum (Sierra Stonecrop)carpeting the rocks. It is a relatively steep hike up to the top, but not terribly long. And the views are fantastic. This year, we were lucky enough to catch it when all the miniature white shooting stars were in bloom.
03/29/2009 - 14:55
The Red Hills are amazing right now with drifts of Cream Cups, Birds Eye Gilia, poppies and composites galore. The Lewisia are just starting to bloom. The Red Hills are an area of critical environmental concern, and a local chance to see flora that grow nowhere else, as they are one of central california's serpentine areas.
