Thank you Ian. Jasmin and I enjoy our garden too. Given our climatic conditions, we have found it helpful to approach gardening in a way that is as harmonious and complementary as possible given all the variables we have to contend with. Our method of gardening is working well for us. I hope some of our postings are at least interesting to others and perhaps even helpful.
Yesterday, 13 March, I was up at our El Dorado County farm, elevation 1,500 feet (457 meters). The temperature was 38 F (3.3 C). A combination of rain and snow was falling. On 10 March the high temperature at our farm was 75 F (23.9 C). In Pollock Pines, elevation 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), there is now 15.95 inches of snow (40.5 cm). There was no snow on 10 March. There is a saying around here that it always “snows on the dogwoods”. The native dogwoods are not blooming yet. This type of warm-cold/stormy weather is very typical during the spring in our area. Despite climatic changes in our region, it will likely “snow on the dogwood” this year.
Erythronium oregonum is beginning to bloom in our garden.
Pictured: Erythronium oregonum
Many Erythronium species thrive in our garden. We have been working with them for many years now. There have been some set backs, however we currently have a pipeline of new species and our own hybrids at various stages of development. A number of species grow in our general region, so we have a large gene pool to work with to develop new varieties that thrive in our garden.
I enjoy growing breeding my own violas and pansies varieties. I learn a great deal breeding these plants that extends beyond common bedding type violas and pansies…..
Pictured is Viola sheltonii RMB1059. This species and most of our local California native Viola species have proven to be extremely difficult to maintain. To date, cultivation in the open garden has not been possible. However from observations and knowledge gained from growing and breeding simple, common violas and pansies a great deal of progress is been made finding and creating forms of California native Viola species that thrive in our garden. It might seem hard to believe, but the Viola pictured represents a major step forward with Viola sheltonii. This specimen returns consistently each season and sets viable seed. The next step is to create a whole genetically variable breeding population to work with.
This Narcissus Jetfire hybrid has flaws and is much larger than what I would like, however it also has many attributes that I enjoy. A much smaller version, without the flaws, would be an asset to our garden. Progress with this project has been slow. In the mean time, I enjoy all these plants.
