Banner photo on the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Website
McKinley Park - on a "Curb Appeal Drive-By",
at our historic city cemetary (in the native plant demonstration garden),
and, in my favorite garden on S. Land Park Drive.
I had wanted to see them this year in the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, south of Landcaster. I've read about this poppy show for years, but at the last minute I was tied up and my husband went on his San Diego business trip without me, the cad! But there's still time to make another trip this year, because the low-rain winter has delayed germination. Here's the latest report from the reserve:
Wildflower Bloom Status: 4/5/12: It's been a dry winter so far so not a lot of poppy plants have germinated, but recent rains may encourage a moderate but late season. The hills are currently only tinged green but very few grasses are growing this year, so the poppies that are there are more visible. A handful of fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, silver puffs, goldfields, filaree, Mojave suncups, and forget-me-nots are starting to bloom here and there. Grape soda lupines are putting on a nice show, but have already gone to seed on south-facing slopes. See Latest Poppy Reserve Research Field Notes and Observations for more details. (take the above link for more info).
(How did I know today was California Poppy Day? Mr. Google told me! He's a pretty smart fellow!)
Heads up to those who want to buy native, learn native, see native plants! Next Saturday (April 14th) is the Native Plant Sale at Elderberry Farms (sharing space with Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova). The nursery cultivates plants that are native to our area. It's a great spot ... away from the traffic noises, where the sky is big and nature abounds, and beautiful CA poppies, too! Here's the info I have:
Wildflower Wonders
Native Plants for Our Healthy Environment
Saturday, April 14 - 10:00-4:00
2140 Chase Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Soil Born Farm, on the American River Parkway
Admission is Free to WW ~ the Public is Welcome
Refreshments Available
Wildflower Wonders is the annual Earth Day event by the Sacramento Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society. What will you see and do this year?
PLANT EXHIBIT & INTERACTIVE FUN: A plant exhibit hosted by expert naturalists will showcase native plants of the American River watershed.
FOCUS ON FLOWERS – Look through a microscope and get lost in the delicate details of flowers and their pollinators
SCAVENGER HUNT with prizes
FREE PLANT: Join or renew your CNPS membership at the sale and choose a 1-gallon plant from Elderberry Farms!
WALKS & TALKS (Family Friendly: ) Each walk will start with an introductory talk!
- Native Plants and Why We Should Care
- Birding Walk
- Bees and You
- Soil Born Farms Tour
WW's NATIVE PLANT SALE!
During the WW event (see above), Elderberry Farms and Conflower Farms will have plants for sale!
Gardening experts will be there to help you find the best plants for your garden.
As always, a wide variety of gardening books, field guides, and other native plant literature will be for sale.
Please bring boxes to carry home your treasurers and umbrella if it rains.
I'll be there ... join me! let's explore native gardening together!
Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!
Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.
Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.
When I lived in LA a few years ago I made myself go out to the reserve and it was amazing. In the wind, the thousands of flower petals flap against each other and sound like the ground is clapping for you! Only worth it to go during a really good year.
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