A View from the Garden
April 2025

This is an example of one of the many beautiful California natives - the Pacific Coast Iris. Plants native to our area generally require less water, improve the soil, thrive in our mediterranean climate, and bring in the birds, the bees, and the butterflies - what's not to like?

Bright, cheerful, Iceland Poppies (Papaver nudicaule) are the perfect plant for a pop of color. Situated in a tall, elegant planter, these flowers call to the bees and butterflies, while they steal the show.

This is a great example of blossoms that help the garden transition from spring to summer. As the early blooms of these gorgeous white Daffodils (Narcissus) die back (they'll return next spring!), they make room for the bright yellow of our native Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Combinations like this, extend the blooming of our gardens for a month or more.

I love April for the Wisteria! It comes in a variety of cultivars with various shades of purple, pink & blue, as well as a stunning white, and if that's not enough, it has the most delicate scent you can imagine. These vines are slow to get started, but once they find a home they develop a strong architectural shape that adds to their beauty.

April is the month for planting veggie starts and this little compact trough is a great way to create a garden in a small space. The root systems is heated by the metal sides, increasing your growing season by several weeks. It's a win- win!