July 4, 2025
Today I celebrated the freedom to fill my garden with native plants. Today I celebrated having dedicated ten years of my time and strength and patience to transform my yard into an oasis with a variety of plants.
I made some mistakes, right plant, wrong place. Too much care. A few plants just do not want to grow here. But there are many that do and will. I chose plants that evolved along with their pollinators in the soCal Mediterranean ecoregion where my house is located. These plants know, at a cellular level, how to put roots down and survive in the ground around my house. I have learned to plant species that bloom in spring, summer and fall. A few even bloom in winter!
Today I walked with intention through the back and front yards multiple times. I took my time. I observed the life around me. I looked at the faces of the flowers, searched for their winged visitors who show up just as the marine layer is clearing. Right now, Common Madia, Cliff Aster and Purple Sage are blooming and receiving non-stop attention. They come here because they have the food and shelter that they need. As long as I am here, this will be a refuge for them, a garden dedicated to them, a protected place. As long as I am here, I will make my rounds to celebrate and document their existence.
Beautiful photos! Thank you for caring for our little friends! I’m on the same journey turning my yard over to the native life, learning as I go, and always, always, fighting those darn invasives.