The most vivid dahlia of 2025. Dahlia’s are native to the highlands of Central America and are the national flower of Mexico. The range of sizes, colors and petal structure make them an enduring hobby. Here in San Diego it is best to dig up the tubers over winter both to protect them from the cold but also from ground grubs.
Related Post
Monarch CaterpillarMonarch Caterpillar
A migrating female Monarch placed her egg (the size of a pin head) on a leaf of this milkweed in my garden.
Four days later a caterpillar emerged and started eating. Ten days later, and about 2” long, the caterpillar developed a chrysalis which can be found hanging on a nearby tree or post.
Ten days later, the monarch emerged. Pretty amazing journey for 28 days
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on just one plant, and that is milkweed, Asclepias. This picture shows Asclepias curassavica.
This genus is herbaceous, perennial and flowering. Monarch caterpillars eat only the leaves of the milkweed.
Milkweed is a beneficial wildflower and is not invasive. Other species use the nectar and some will also eat parts of the plant.
The plant, which has a milky sap, does contain toxins, which can be harmful to pets and humans, so be careful when handling.
post provided by SC.
Pohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas TreePohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas Tree
Christmas in New Zealand is summer and everywhere around the coast you will see Metrosideros excelsa, the pohutakawa, in bloom. It’s relative, M. polymorpha, is native to Hawaii and can also be seen planted around Mission Bay in San Diego.
Painting by Jan van Huysum 1722Painting by Jan van Huysum 1722
This painting hangs in the Getty Museum, Los Angeles. The colors, vibrancy and lushness are striking. Apparently, he could take months and even years to finish works like this because he always had the actual plant in the studio when he painted. Since the still life comprised flowers, fruits and leaves from different seasons it was a patient task to paint them all in.