Last weekend we stopped by the Elfin Forest Preserve, to check out the spring bloom. We where not disappointed!

Ceanothus….

Mimulus…

Another Ceanothus (I think) not quite open…

Rhus of various species (my poser botany skills can’t keep them all straight)….

Clematis….

Mission Manzanita…. (love the berries)

Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)…

Bushrue (Cneoridium dumosum)….

And what I think is a native California rock rose (Crocanthemum scoparium). I tried to grow one of these in my back garden last summer but sadly it didn’t make it. Sorry for the lousy picture!