Senna didymobotyra, or popcorn Cassia is a fun addition to any garden because the crushed flowers and buds have a strong scent of buttered popcorn. It is a robust plant that enjoys sun and heat. Note the large bumble bee closing in for a pollen snack. It is also a favorite of caterpillars of the large yellow sulphur butterflies so watch for eaten leaves in late summer. B. Bennett garden
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Silver FernSilver Fern
Iconic symbol of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and other national sports teams and athletes. I photographed this frond fragment on a trail in Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, NZ in March 2022. Alsophina dealbata, can grow to 30 feet and the full fern frond can be 10 feet long. It is the underside that is white/silver.
My Spring BarometerMy Spring Barometer
Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are classics of spring but not so common outdoors in San Diego gardens because of our warmer climate. Many years ago, I planted the bulb from a (supermarket) potted gift bouquet into my garden. Each year if it flowers (like this year) I know it has been cooler and wetter than normal. Most years only the leaves emerge without a flower.
Mixed CroppingMixed Cropping
This is my attempt at mixing it up in the vegetable garden. How many different vegetables do you see? I’ve noticed that some plants enjoy some extra shade that the understory provides. I also seem to have fewer insect pests. post from B.Bennett