2024 had many challenges. In February Jasmin became ill with persistent and severe “arthritis-like” symptoms. Over time she has learned to manage the pain and ameliorate the situation, but her health has never returned to ”normal”. Then in June it became clear that our old, declining walnut tree that dominated our backyard needed to be removed. We had the tree removed in late June early July as an epic heat wave began that severely impacted our part of Northern California from July through the first 10 days of October. 2024 was, by far, the hottest summer ever recorded in our region, with record daytime high temperatures set in July and October. We did the best we could to dig plants and get them in containers where they could survive in the shade until we can replant them in the shaded front yard this fall-winter. We could not move everything. Many plants died from the many days of 40+ C daytime high temperatures. All these events have altered our gardening goals and the plants that we wish to cultivate in our garden.
Despite the setback we had many successes this season. Here are a few.
This season I successfully introduced Diplacus kelloggii (RMB 1053, 3,385 ft. {1,032 meters}). I have wanted to do this for many years, and this turned out to be the year. Currently the F2 generation of plants has germinated.
Another success was the reintroduction of Viola sheltonii (RMB 1062, 3.273 ft. {998 meters}). This beautiful species can be tricky to cultivate, however it appears that I have found the means to keep this perennial species happy in our Sacramento garden.
Heuchera micrantha thrives in our garden. The foliage of this species is very attractive and quite variable. I am always looking for unusual forms in the wild and grow many from seed. I found some exceptional specimens this year and will be growing this seed on. Hopefully something good will turn up.
Phyllodoce breweri is a high elevation species in our region. It is very difficult to please in our hot, dry low elevation Sacramento garden. Over the years I have recorded lower elevation forms of this species. Two years ago gathering seed from one of these sites became possible. The plants survived our hot summer and are growing well. Hopefully they will be a successful introduction.
Now that our situation has stabilized Jasmin and I are planning our outings for the 2025 season. There is only so much we can accomplish and we understand our new limitations. We have chosen to focus on the Tells Peak region, the northern most peak of the Crystal Range, to survey this coming year. I will share some of the details and the species we are very likely to encounter soon.
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