Talk to most homeowners about what they want in their garden and they will usually reply “color”. I am no different and when I was given the opportunity to try out two new plants, courtesy of the folks at Monrovia, I jumped at the chance to showcase more examples of their plants, which are available at Lowe’s or at your local garden center.
I would like to share with you two plants that will add a pop of color to your garden.
The first is Friendship Sage(Salvia ‘Amistad’). Recent visitors to my garden couldn’t take their eyes off of the vibrant purple flowers and the lush green foliage of this new plant.
This particular salvia does best in filtered shade and should be kept away from full sun, especially in hot, inland areas. Hardy to zone 9, it is suitable for climates with mild winters.
I would recommend pairing it with yellow-flowering perennials like angelita daisy(Tetraneuris acaulis), or gold lantana(Lantana ‘New Gold Mound’). I can hardly wait to see the hummingbirds flock to the tubular blooms. Flowering occurs in spring, summer, and fall. However, in hot climates, flowers may disappear in the summer only to resume in fall.
Hummingbirds will flock to the tubular blooms so be sure to place friendship salvia where you can view it up close. Flowering occurs in spring, summer, and fall. However, in hot climates, flowers may disappear in the summer only to resume in fall.
Salvias have always been a huge favorite of mine and I am so happy to have this new addition to the garden.
*Learn more about this and other colorful plants at Monrovia.
‘Little Janie’ Gaura
The second perennial that I’d like to show you is a variety of pink gaura. ‘Little Janie’ gaura(Gaura lindheimeri ‘Little Janie’) produces masses of small, pink flowers, which are shaped like butterflies.
They thrive in full sun to light, filtered shade and are drought tolerant.
Gaura have a long bloom period, beginning in spring and lasting through fall. They are also very cold and heat tolerant and can be grown in zone 6 gardens (-10 degrees F.) while easily handling summer temperatures over 100+.
I like to group 3 gaura together and plant them next to boulders or plant them in perennial beds along a front entry.
My new ‘Little Janie’ gaura has lots of buds, ready to open up to reveal their pretty, pink flowers. They look great next to purple-flowering plants such as Blue Bells(Eremophila hygrophana) or purple trailing lantana(Lantana montevidensis).
These are just two of the beautiful plants from Monrovia that you can find at Lowe’s or your local nursery. Simply look for plants in the green ‘Monrovia’ containers.
*Learn more about Monrovia and their ‘Grow Beautifully’ campaign to help you create a colorful outdoor space.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Friendship_Sage_Salvia_Amistad.jpg1200900arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2017-03-31 07:09:142022-10-08 03:40:46Pop In Color: Two Lovely Perennials for the Garden
There is nothing quite so refreshing as the fragrance of lemons as you slice through their yellow skin. Lemons are a very popular fruit tree for those of us who in zones 8 and above and their lush green foliage and yellow fruit add beauty to the garden.
If you have been thinking of adding a lemon tree to your landscape, March is the best time of year to plant new citrus in the garden as it gives them time to become established before the heat of summer arrives.
I am often asked about what type of lemon is best for the garden. My personal choice is Meyer lemon for a number of reasons. You may have heard of this type of lemon tree, but what you may not know is that it isn’t a ‘true’ lemon – it’s actually a naturally occurring hybrid of a lemon and ‘Mandarin’ orange. This results in a pseudo-lemon that is sweeter and less acidic than true lemons such as ‘Eureka’ and ‘Lisbon’.
See why you should consider planting a Meyer lemon tree in your backyard in my latest article for Houzz.com. (Click on the photo below to read the article).
*What type of lemon tree to you grow?
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Meyer_lemon_Arizona.jpg12001098arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2017-03-18 13:03:322022-10-08 03:49:18March is the Perfect Time for Planting a Meyer Lemon Tree
After a seemingly endless summer, we have finally made it to the finish line. This is the season where we experience a ‘second spring’ and venture out into the garden again.
Soil is ready to be amended, citrus fertilized, and some light pruning can be done.
September Gardening Tasks, Un-pruned lantana on the left. Two light pruned lantana are to the right with a pile of clippings.
September is the gateway to a busy time in the garden, but there are a few things that it is still too early to start on yet.
I’ve made a video of what you should do and shouldn’t do this month:
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/vegetable_garden_soil_amendments.jpg640480arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-09-29 19:13:002022-10-09 02:37:07September Gardening Tasks: What To Do and NOT Do
The popularity of fairy or miniature gardens is evident with whole Pinterest boards dedicated to them as well as nurseries having entire sections filled with fairy garden furniture and accessories.
During a recent visit to California, I visited the J. Woeste Nursery, which had taken a slightly different direction with fairy gardens. Theirs were decidedly drought tolerant and planted with succulents.
Each fairy garden was well-designed, each with their own unique mixture of succulents and moss for grass.
I was told that the nursery had a specific designer who created these miniature succulent worlds.
No two were alike. From the houses used to the combination of succulents and the container itself – each was a truly unique creation.
I must admit that I had a hard time tearing myself away in order to look at the rest of the nursery, as I was so captivated by these miniature, drought tolerant gardens.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t fit one in my suitcase.
However, if I decided to make my own, there were a lot of different fairy succulent gardens to be inspired by and the nursery had a large selection of succulents available to assist in my endeavors.
Besides miniature succulent gardens, the nursery was filled with other unique examples of succulents being planted in unexpected ways.
A large variety of succulents were available for customers to use to in their own gardens, whether planted in the ground or in a favorite container.
If you ever find yourself in the charming town of Los Olivos, California, you must stop by J. Hoeste Nursery to see the fairy succulent gardens along with its other treasures.
Have you ever thought of planting a fairy garden? If so, I recommend the book, Gardening in Miniature. It teaches you how to make your own miniature garden, in easy steps. There are also a number of inspiring ideas to help you on your way to making your own. I reviewed this book in an earlier post, which can be read here.
I am always on the lookout for great examples of plants in the desert landscape. In my work as a landscape consultant, I drive through countless neighborhoods, which allows me to see lots of ideas.
A few years ago, I drove by a house that had a beautiful Hop Bush shrub (Dodonaea viscosa).
This evergreen, drought-tolerant shrub does wonderfully in our southwestern climate, and it is a frequent addition to landscapes I design.
It’s versatility is one of the reasons it is near the top of my favorite shrub list.
Hop Bush is a great substitute for Oleander shrubs.
They can grow up to 12 feet tall or be maintained at a shorter height – basically you can decide how large it gets.
Their height makes them a great choice to screen out an unattractive view in spaces where a tree won’t fit while providing shade for for windows.
Hop Bush can be allowed to grow into their natural shape or pruned more formally.
Native to the Southwest, Hop Bush is quite versatile and relatively fuss-free, especially if maintained by pruning every 6 months or so, as shown above. Here is another example of a hop bush shrub that has been pruned more formally, which it handles well.
Of course, you can always let it grow into its more natural form as a large shrub.
For more information on hop bush including what its flowers look like and why it’s becoming a popular substitute for oleanders, you can read my earlier blog post – “Drought Tolerant and Beautiful: Hopbush the Alternative to Oleanders.”
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dodonaea_viscosa_hedge_Hopbush.jpg425640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-05-19 13:30:002022-10-15 04:52:07An Attractive, Drought-Tolerant Hedge for Southwestern Gardens: Hop Bush
Well, another road trip is drawing to a close, but not before two more fun-filled days.
California Road Trip
After leaving San Francisco, we headed up toward Napa Valley. Despite it being a rainy day, we were determined that getting a little wet wouldn’t hinder us from exploring this area.
Our first stop was (not surprisingly) a winery. Many wineries were surrounded by beautiful landscapes and to be honest, I like plants more than wine, so I spent more time outside than inside sampling wine.
Olive trees and roses were prevalent in landscape beds alongside grape vines.
Young grapes were beginning to appear on the vine.
Ivy climbed up the walls of buildings and neatly trimmed boxwood shrubs enclosed areas filled with roses and shrubby germander(Teucrium fruiticans) shrubs.
The green hills were studded with oak trees and tall poplar trees were also used throughout the area.
The next morning was sunny and warm making it a perfect day to spend exploring Cornerstone Sonoma with its trendy stores and gardens.
Many of the stores were filled with items for both home and garden while others offered stylish clothing with a casual theme.
An artisan created ollas onsite. These clay containers are buried in the ground and are an old-fashioned way to water plants that have seen a resurgence in popularity.
Also offered for sale were shallow basins that mimic the appearance of wood. They were filled with water and used as containers for plants.
Old grape vines were used as borders for garden beds as well as for an accent piece in the garden – you could also buy some for your own garden.
Unique, rusted metal containers were for sale, just waiting to be taken home and planted.
Throughout the shopping area were creative container plantings that I really liked. They were housed in square metal containers and filled with purple hop bush(Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’) and bush morning glory(Convolvulus cneorum). The focus on these containers wasn’t on flowers but rather on the colorful foliage of the plants.
One very exciting element of Cornerstone Sonoma is their new partnership with the folks at Sunset Magazine who are moving their test gardens and their test kitchen to this popular spot in Napa Valley.
While the official opening isn’t until mid-May, the Sunset Test Gardens were well on their way to being completed.
Large amounts of plants were still waiting to be planted in the new Sunset test gardens, which is where new plant varieties will be evaluated while also allowing the public to see them up close.
Landscapers were hard at work planting the new gardens.
There are a lot of creative garden structures and I hope to see these gardens someday once everything is finished.
Next on our tour was the existing Cornerstone Gardens, which are described on their website “as an ever-changing series of gardens, showcasing innovative designs from international and local landscape architects and designers. They create a cultural and creative haven, celebrating the connection between art, architecture and nature”.
“There are currently nine Cornerstone Gardens.
Continually in a state of evolution, some garden installations will be in place for a season, while others will remain for several seasons.”
Approaching the gardens, the main path takes you by a grassy area, dappled with shade. The focal part of this area is the ‘plastic pinwheel flower garden’. Passersby enjoy this fun take on a traditional flower bed – especially kids.
Individual gardens were surrounded by Japanese privet hedges, creating a sense of mystery as you walk toward the entry into each one.
One of my favorites was In the Air by Conway Chen Chang. “This garden is intended to give the viewer a better sense of the human relationship to air in a very playful and whimsical way.”
Wisteria Vine
Clematis flowers
A curved path with uniquely-shaped step stones sits beneath curved metal rebar with clematis vines.
The next garden was filled with plants that are popular in the Southwest, including Mexican feather grass(Stipa tenuissima) and Agave salmiana.
Garden of Contrast by James Van Sweden and Sheila Brady
“This is an experience of contrasting texture, form, color, and scent that changes with the seasons.”
I love contrasting textures in the landscape and using agave with its bold shapes alongside ornamental grasses and their wispy texture creates drama in the garden.
Eucalyptus trees
This garden was the most unusual, in my opinion and paid homage to the eucalyptus tree.
Eucalyptus Soliloquy by Walter Hood & Alma Dusolier
“A celebration of the non-native eucalyptus trees in the Sonoma Valley.”
Driving throughout Southern, Central and Northern California, eucalyptus trees are almost as familiar as native oak trees.
Wire cages held strips of eucalyptus bark and decorative eucalyptus seed pods were piled at the base.
The wire cages framed an attractive view with a pond filled with waterlilies.
Rise by Roger Raiche and David McCrory
“A tubular experience that stirs and arrange of emotional response. A place for interaction and play.”
I loved the use of contrasting colors and textures in this garden, don’t you?
The view at the end of the ‘tunnel’ was a field of grape vines.
We spent a wonderful morning at Cornerstone Sonoma and I highly recommend visiting if you ever find yourself in San Francisco (it’s about 1 hour north).
California Road Trip
As we left Napa Valley, heading back toward to San Francisco and our airline flight back home, I found that crossing the famous Golden Gate Bridge the perfect way to finish a fabulous road trip.
San Francisco has been a popular destination for me and my family. While I was born and grew up in Southern California, both my parents are from the northern part of the state. As a result, trips to the San Francisco area were frequent events in my childhood as well early in my marriage when our two oldest girls were young.
For this part of our road trip, we decided to do something that we had never done in San Francisco – visit Alcatraz – or more specifically, the gardens of Alcatraz.
Believe it or not, Alcatraz has gardens, many of which were created and tended by the inmates themselves.
The boat ride to the island of Alcatraz is very short as it is only 1-mile away.
However, as you leave the dock, the views of the city of San Francisco as spectacular.
Coit Tower, which was built in 1933, stands sentinel as boats come and go.
Off in the distance, the Golden Gate Bridge traverses the gap between the city of San Francisco to the south over to Marin County to the north.
As we neared the Alcatraz Island, you could see the much of the city.
As you approach the 22-acre island, you notice that part of the island is covered in greenery.
Century plant(Agave americana) grows wild along the hillside and many were flowering.
Getting ready to dock, you get a good glimpse of the structures on the island, which housed prisoners 1934 – 1963. Before that, it was a U.S. military prison.
It was believed, and correctly so, that no inmate could successfully escape through the waters of the bay with its strong currents.
After you disembark from the boat, you are greeted by a park ranger who gives you guidelines for your visit. Basically, you can’t take food anywhere on the island (other than the dock area) and you must not remove any plant material.
There are a large number of birds who call this island their home and this was nesting season, so some of the areas were off limits.
Now, it was time to climb up to the top where the prison building was located – the equivalent of 13 stories. There was a tram for those who couldn’t make the walk to the top.
The walk to the top was a gradual slope with no stairs. These stairs were roped off.
I was so proud when I reached the top and looked down to see how far I had come.
We entered the prison, which offers a great audio tour.
The cells were still there and some were set up as they were when this prison still held inmates.
Details of escape attempts were shared during the tour.
Former inmates said the it was torture to be able to see the city just off in the distance while they were stuck in this horrible place that was cold and drafty.
The part of the tour that was really difficult was walking into a cell where prisoners were held in solitary confinement. Once the doors closed, there was no light and total darkness.
While the prison tour was very interesting, I was much more interested in the gardens on this rocky island.
The gardens begin along the roadside the leads up toward the top of the island where the prison is located.
It was almost surreal to be walking along, enjoying the beauty of colorful plants and mixtures of textures on the way to a stark prison where prisoners would be, for the most part, quite miserable.
One of the few bright spots for the inmates were the gardens that they tended.
One former inmate enjoyed gardening on the island so much that he went on to have a
successful career as a landscaper once he was released.
As you might imagine, it was a privilege to work in the gardens and gave prisoners a brief respite from their incarceration. Inmates were trained how to care for plants, many of which were donated.
While the garden plants on Alcatraz aren’t native, they do thrive in the harsh climate of the island. This red valerian(Centranthus ruber) does so well on Alcatraz, that is growing out of a wall.
Canada geese with their goslings explore part of the garden.
A seagull sits on her nest amidst colorful ice plant.
Parts of the garden were roped off because feathered residents of the island were nesting and raising their young.
However, we were still able to see them from above. This section of the garden was called the Officer’s Row Gardens.
The inmates and staff weren’t the only residents of the island. The families of the staff also called Alcatraz home and assisted in the creation and care of the gardens.
As there are no prison staff or inmates to take care of the gardens anymore, volunteers come to maintain the garden areas.
What a cool way to volunteer!
Built in 1929 the warden’s house was created after the popular Mission Revival style. In 1970, a fire destroyed much of the house. The skeleton still stands.
The Bay Bridge visible from an old window from the warden’s residence.
Our visit to Alcatraz lasted about 2 hours, which took us through the prison building and allowed plenty of time to explore the picturesque gardens.
It also serves as a good reminder that it pays to follow the law 🙂
If you would like to learn more about the gardens of Alcatraz, click here.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_1779.jpg328640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-04-24 06:36:002022-10-15 05:33:39California Road Trip: Day 8 – The Gardens of Alcatraz
Big Basin Redwoods State Park , See how tiny I am compared to the trees?
How about one that is over 250 ft. tall?
Our journey took us to a place that I have been to at least ten times – from trips as a small child, a teenager, as a young mother and finally as a grandmother.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located in the mountains outside of Santa Cruz, California, and as you will see, it is a truly incredible place filled with stunning beauty among giant redwood trees.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Upon entering the park, you notice the shady conditions with spots of sunlight shining through.
On the left is a large cross-section of a redwood tree that fell in 1934.
What is special about this tree is its age.
Tree rings tell the age of a tree and this tree has lived through many historic events, including the birth of Jesus, indicated by my finger.
This outer ring is from when Lewis & Clark’s expedition in 1804.
As many times as I have seen this display, it never ceases to amaze me at the longevity of these Coastal redwood trees(Sequoia sempervirens).
Visitors take a leisurely stroll along the .8 mile-long path that meanders through the redwood grove.
The enormous height and size of the trees are hard to understand until you see someone standing next to them.
Compare the perspective from the photograph above and the one of the same area below, except now I am standing at the end of the path.
It’s hard to see me, as I am so dwarfed by the trees.
Coastal redwood trees grow along a narrow corridor from Big Sur to southern Oregon.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Rainfall is just one way that the redwoods receive the water they need. The fog that primarily occurs in summer can provide up to 50% of their water needs.
The lower leaves (needles) are flat, which allows water droplets from the fog to drip down to the root zone. The upper needles that are exposed to more sunlight are rounder and have a thicker coating, which protects them from excess evapotranspiration (losing water from their leaves).
The walk through the trees is quite educational, with certain trees singled out for special attention.
Our favorite has always been the tree that has a ‘wooden cave’ inside its base.
The Fremont tree has a hollow base that was created from a fire long ago. John C. Fremont was exploring California in 1846 and allegedly camped inside the tree.
Over time, the outer part of the tree has been slowly growing back over the old fire damage, creating a ‘wooden cave’. The opening is gradually closing up, making it difficult for adults to step inside without doing a lot of crouching.
While these trees are very long-lived, our family has seen the Fremont tree change.
-In the 1950’s my mother and her entire family of six, could walk through the hole of the tree and stand up inside.
– In the 1970’s I did the same with my family.
– Once the 1990’s came around, I brought my kids to this place and while we had to crouch to enter the tree, we still could.
– Fast forward to 2016, and the opening is too small for me to want to crouch to get inside
– I’m afraid that I won’t be able to get back up 😉
Walking next to these old, majestic trees, you cannot help but get a healthy perspective on what’s going on in your life and the world when you consider all the history that they have lived through.
The photos above are all of the same tree. It took three separate photos to get the entire tree.
The photos above are all of the same tree. It took three separate photos to get the entire tree.
The lush undergrowth is filled with ferns, greenery, and some shade-loving iris.
After leaving the Big Basin Redwoods, we drove up the adjoining mountain, 5 minutes away on a hunt for a cabin that used to belong to our family.
The visitor center has been recently renovated and is filled with great displays, which detail the ecosystem of the majestic beauties including the wildlife and other plants.
If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, I invite you to take the 1 hour and 20-minute journey to this special place. While you are in Santa Cruz, you can stop by the beach and the Boardwalk.
The cabin was owned by my mother and her siblings. For years, we would all travel to the cabin where we would spend our summer vacation together with aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The cabin had three self-contained levels and a deck around the middle level. We had heard that the cabin was not being used and that they path to the cabin had been blocked. To be honest, we weren’t sure if it still existed.
So, I headed up a different trail, lower down, hoping to see our much-loved, albeit very rustic, cabin.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I found the cabin looking much the same as it did 16 years ago.
Fun-filled memories began to come back, including my cousin’s wedding held down in the forest and her reception on the deck of the cabin.
Our cabin was balanced precariously on the side of a hillside and had no foundation. Believe it or not, it rested on jacks.
Back in 1989, we were staying there when there was an earthquake; that was a pre-cursor to the large one that hit the San Francisco area in October for 1989. The cabin didn’t slip down the hill then and is still standing.
There are no occupants of the cabin, and we are not sure what the owners have planned. Maybe they want to build a new cabin someday?
At this point of our trip, we were ready to head north to San Francisco. Like most of our road trip, we don’t always travel the fastest way – our goal is to enjoy the journey, so we decided to travel on Highway 1 along the coast through the small towns of Pescadero and Half Moon Bay.
Pescadero is one of the few areas that has remained largely untouched in the 20 years since I had been there. The church, with its tall steeple, still is the highest point in the town.
The two small grocery stores have a nice selection of baked goods – especially sourdough bread. Californians are serious about their sourdough!
A few miles down the road is the larger town of Half Moon Bay. The main street is filled with very interesting boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. This beach town is also known for its nurseries.
Creative container plantings lined the street.
Succulents grow like they are on steroids in northern California!
If you think that you have heard of Half Moon Bay before, you likely have. Surfers flock to the beaches of this small town where waves 25 – 50 ft. and more are known to occur.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_2416-001.jpg422640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-04-23 04:20:002022-10-15 05:59:23California Road Trip: Day 7 – Two-Thousand-Year-Old Trees, a Surfer’s Paradise and Finding an Old Family Cabin
This day of our road trip proved to be the most activity-filled of all.
Our hotel in Pacific Grove, The Butterfly Grove Inn.
We spent the night in a place that holds special memories from my childhood. Pacific Grove is a town that is located next to the city of Monterey. My grandparents would spend their summers there each year and we would venture up the coast to visit them.
We would take the short walk from the house to the beach, which was filled with rocks to climb on and tidal pools filled with anemones and hermit crabs. Small sea shells were plentiful as well.
So, while planning our itinerary for this trip, Pacific Grove was one of the first places we chose to visit.
Pacific Grove , Monarch Grove Sanctuary.
As we got ready to leave our hotel in the morning, we drove by the Monarch Grove Sanctuary.
While many Monarch butterflies head south to Mexico, those that live west of the Rocky Mountains head to the coastal areas of California where they winter in the pines.
Pacific Grove is called “Butterfly Town, USA” and it residents are proud of its seasonal visitors. In fact, if you purposely cause injury to the butterflies, you could be faced with a $1,000 fine.
The main street is filled with colorful Victorian homes that have been converted into businesses.
A handmade furniture store located in one of the older masonry buildings had this sign up in their window, reminding us that earthquakes are a part of life in California.
Years ago, in the 80’s, we were walking downtown and saw an old, white Victorian house that was for sale for $1.00
Of course, there were stipulations that the city would require for renovating the house without sacrificing its historical character.
We never forgot that house, but after 30+ years, we couldn’t recognize which house it was.
One of my favorite stores on the main street was a little garden shop. Two friendly dogs welcomed visitors as they walked up the steps to an outdoor area filled with unique containers filled with combinations of succulents.
Vintage glass containers filled with succulents.
I have always had an affinity for recycling old items and turning them into containers for plants.
I have seen chairs planters filled with colorful annuals, but this is the first one with succulents. I like it, don’t you?
After shopping downtown, I couldn’t wait to get to the beach and explore the tidal pools and the beaches.
While I was taking pictures of the sea, my mother was taking a photo of me.
And I took one of her.
I decided that at 50, I was still young enough to climb over the rocks to explore.
As I turned to walk back to the car, where my mother was patiently waiting, I was pleasantly surprised at how far I had come. I could just imagine my 14-year-old son scrambling over the rocks with me.
When I spotted my mother in the car, I noticed that she had made some new friends.
She had taken some of our whole wheat sourdough bread and was sharing some with the birds.
Once I reached the edge of the beach, I was greeted by a little friend who was undoubtedly hoping that I was generous like my mother.
Well, it turns out that I was willing to share some bread, so my little friend invited some of his friends.
This Canada goose also wanted some too.
After feeding both birds and squirrels, my bread was gone.
However, this was not to be our only encounter with wildlife this day.
As we drove down the coast toward Lover’s Point, we noticed a group of people gathered next to a temporary fence with binoculars and cameras.
Curious, we parked our car and joined them.
This is what they were looking at.
Can you see the two animals in the center of the rocky shore?
Here is a closer view. This is a harbor seal with her baby, which is only about a week old.
This particular beach in Pacific Grove is a very popular place for harbor seals to give birth and raise their pups. From March to May, they give birth and care for their babies for about a month before leaving them to fend for themselves.
The people we joined in viewing the seals, were volunteers, who observe the seals and note their size and activity. Some volunteers keep track of how many babies are born each season. So far, there had been 35.
As we were watching the seals swimming along the shore, a mother and her pup came up on the sand so that her baby could nurse. What a special moment to have been able to see!
Carmel Mission
After we had spent some time with the seals, we drove to the nearby city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is a small beach city that is famous for its beautiful mission, picturesque downtown and fairytale cottages.
If you have followed our road trip, then it shouldn’t surprise you that we found ourselves at the Carmel Mission. I had first visited this mission back in 2000. Known as the “crown jewel of the missions” for its beauty, the Carmel Mission opened in 1793.
The gardens surrounding this mission were absolutely lovely.
Wooden gates were flanked by large beds filled with a combination of flowering perennials and shrubs.
For entry into most missions, you pay a small fee, usually at the gift shop before entering.
Within the walls of the mission were smaller structures with a colorful mixture of geraniums, roses, Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber), sea lavender (Limonium perezii) and Santa Barbara daisies (Erigeron karvinskianus).
The branches of a Lady Banks rose adds beauty to the side of this mission building.
A large cork oak tree adds beauty to this inner garden of the mission.
Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
You often see Santa Barbara daisy, with its small white and pink daisies, growing throughout many coastal areas of California. I grew it as well in the garden of our home in Phoenix in filtered shade.
This is a part of the cemetery where native American graves are edged with abalone shells.
The significance of the abalone is explained with this sign.
After touring the garden and other structures, we headed into the church.
As you can see, the interior is beautiful. The metal rods that run through the ceiling help to provide stability.
At the front of the church, the crucifix along with other statues add to the beauty of the church.
For those of you, like me, who learned the history of California in school, this grave will interest you. Father Junipero Serra, the founder of many of the California Missions is buried right here, where his picture rests.
Besides the having the “crown jewel” of California Missions, Carmel is also know for its fairytale cottages.
Our House Cottage
These small cottages were built in the 1920’s, by Hugh Comstock and they look like they stepped straight out of a fairytale.
I’m not sure which one this is.
He created the homes for his wife’s rag dolls that she made and sold. The cottages came with unique names such as Birthday House, Hansel, Gretel, Fables and Storybook Cottage, just to name a few.
Fables
The Birthday House
The size of the homes are quite small and people really do live in them.
To get to them, you have to hike up some hilly streets – (my feet still hurt) while being respectful of the occupants privacy.
Hansel
To learn more about the imaginative cottages, click here.
Toward the end of the day, we headed toward adjoining Monterey and The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers’ Market, which takes place on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 4:00.
Three city blocks are filled with vendors selling delicious organic produce, baked sweets as well as handcrafted items.
We bought some food for our dinner before heading off to our next destination of Santa Cruz.
Walking toward our car, we passed by this vendor displaying his wares…
If that doesn’t scream California to you, then I don’t know what does.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your kind comments on both my blog and facebook page. It has been so fun sharing our experiences with you!
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_1293-001.jpg640494arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-04-22 02:50:002022-10-15 06:06:07California Road Trip: Day 6 – Butterflies, Baby Seals, Fairytale Cottages and a Crown Jewel
Whenever we go on a road trip, something always unexpected happens, which helps to make the experiences that we have, even more memorable. This was certainly true of this day.
Morro Bay “Gibraltar of the Pacific”
After leaving San Luis Obispo, we drove through Morro Bay, known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”. It is dominated by a 23 million year old, volcanic plug that reaches 581 feet tall.
At a distance, it appears to just rise straight up with no gradual rise in sight.
Growing up, we went camping a lot as a family. Our first camping trip took place in Morro Bay.
Seagulls make their homes along its walls and you can drive around part of it.
A causeway extends out to the rock that cars can park on. People can walk up and down the causeway or simply sit on a nearby bench and watch the waves.
Of course, you do have to be careful, especially during periods of high surf.
Surfers by the dozen were out this morning and two old surfers were discussing their most memorable rides.
It was while we were sitting and watching the waves that we received some unexpected attention.
This curious seagull flew onto the hood of our car and spent the next several minutes watching us eat our lunch. I am sure that he was trying to figure out how to get inside so he could steal whatever we were eating.
I say ‘steal’ because that is what seagulls are very good at doing. That being said, he was very cute, but determined. As we started to pull away and drive off, he was thinking of coming along with us…
It was so funny to see him trying to decide whether to try to hitch a ride with us or not. He eventually decided to fly away.
Our route today would take us up the famous stretch of Highway 1 throught some of the most picturesque scenery along the rocky California coast. It isn’t the fastest way up to Northern California, but it is the quite beautiful.
As we drove through the beautiful, small town of Cambria, I saw some water conservation signs, which were quite original.
They are quite creative, aren’t they?
This stretch of Highway 1, from Cambria to Monterey, is a windy road flanked by grass land, forest and stunning coastline.
Do you see that little shiny spot in the ocean? That is a whale!
We were driving along the highway when I noticed not just one, but three whales swimming close to the beach. Even though I spent my first 20 years, living in California and have visited countless time since then, I have never seen a whale swimming in the ocean – until this day.
To say that I was excited, is an understatement. We pulled off at a viewing area along with other travelers who were just as excited as we were. The whales were slowly making their way north. I am no expert on whales, but they may have been gray whales.
As I mentioned earlier, we went on a lot of camping trips and one of our favorite destinations was Limekiln, which is south of Big Sur along Highway 1 in California.
We would camp a little higher in the hills surrounded by trees and then walk down to the beach and climb on the rocks. I have a vivid memory of my dad standing on a rock and getting drenched unexpectedly, by a large wave while my mom fed us Vienna sausages from a can. It’s funny what you remember from you childhood.
Here is a photo of our campground years ago with our much-loved yellow and blue tent.
Almost to our destination, we drove through Big Sur with its tall redwood trees.
We walked through the woods for a while and then stopped off for an ice cream cone at the Big Sur Lodge.
This is the southern edge where the large redwood trees grow, reaching up to 250 feet in height. Further north, they can reach 350 feet. Later in our trip, we will visit on of my favorite places with majestic redwood trees.
The California coast is filled with wildlife and stunning beauty and I was so grateful to have had a chance to experience it again.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_1213.jpg336640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2016-04-21 01:30:002022-10-15 06:48:02California Road Trip: Day 5 – A Volcano, Whales, Rocky Shores and an Unexpected Hitchhiker
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
