Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita

Spotlight on:  Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita

April 2017, after the winter rains of 2016, the apple green leaves of Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita illuminate the garden in the spring.

What it looks like underneath -  In June 2017, the same (above) Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita, just two months later, began peeling, showing its rich burgundy colored bark.  The surrounding leaf fall happened simultaneously with the peeling bark, and the Manzanita shed all of its old growth in one orchestrated event.  The amount of water received during the winter no doubt boosted this process.

May 2018, a year after the bark peeled, this (above) Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita is once again healthy and vibrant, and a valuable jewel in the garden.

Baker Family Farmhouse - California Native Garden

When the Baker family moved into their new house they knew they wanted a California native garden that, with minimal water, could survive the drought that California has been facing for years.  Without hesitation, they removed the overgrown Boxwood hedges and a dried out lawn in their front yard.  In September 2013, plans were made to begin this owner-installed garden that is now just over a year and a half  young.  The only remnant of the old garden is a rusted windmill that stands as a sentinel, undisturbed.

Update April 2017:  From front to back - Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum (Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat, Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina', Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman', Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss'.

Update April 2017:  Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' in the foreground; California Poppies in the background.

Update April 2017:  Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum (Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat)

Update April 2017:  Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss'

Rusted Windmill

 California Poppies in foreground, with 
Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' in background (right)

Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum 'Shasta Sulfur' Buckwheat

Plantings on undulating berms provide the necessary 
drainage that California Native plants require, 
while space between plants allows for 
air flow and prevents diseases from occurring.

Yellow flowering Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum 
'Shasta Sulfur' Buckwheat in foreground, 
with purple flowering Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' in background (left)

Shadow of Windmill amongst California Poppies

Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'

BEFORE - Front Yard with Boxwood hedges and dried out lawn

BEFORE

AFTER