This month I figured I’d focus on the front yard, but its looking awfully bleak to me now that the poppies are done. Still, there’s this exuberant fleabane of unknown species (Erigeron something). These guys are on irrigation so they get a little out of hand this time of year.

Anigozanthos (not sure which one):

Hibiscus from a big box store

Camissonia: This is such a great plant — and tough, too! Little wonder I suppose, given that its a native.

One of my very favorite natives is blooming. I think this is a variety of Eriogonum umbellatum, but I’m not sure which one.

Manfreda Silver Leopard

Cleveland and Black sage (Salvia clevelandii and Salvia mellifera)

Island Mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora from Annie’s annuals)

Another favorite native, Eriogonum giganteum, isn’t quite open yet. Next month!

The plantlets are starting to pop on the Agave desmettiana stalks. Sure, they’re not flowers, but still noteworthy. That purple blur in the background is more Salvia clevelandii.

So I just have to pause here and say I didn’t realize quite how much natives dominate my garden. I’m certainly a native plant advocate, but there are just way too many interesting plants in the world for me to ever actually commit to an all-native garden. But yet… I nearly have! I blame it on negligence: the exotics under my care have a tough time of it.

On to a sampling of the backyard, where there are a few things that deserve to be mentioned.

First, the Achillea x ‘Moonshine’ is just glorious right now.

Penstemon heterophyllus X ‘Margarita BOP’ positively glows

I’ve got two different chalk Dudleyas here: I need to spend some time figuring exactly which these are. The flowers might be kind of plain but the hummingbirds really like them.

A potted Euphorbia lambii is blooming

Tiny little white flowers on a Rhipsalis (I think? No idea which one).

Finally, the epiphyllum cactus is about to open. The angle of bud changed dramatically today. The 2 additional buds are still doing ok — if they make it this will be the first time I’ve ever gotten one of these to produce more than 1 bloom.

I went out to check it at 10pm: still not open. Stay tuned!

This bloom day report is a nod to Carol at May Dreams Gardens.