April Blooms

It's been cool here in the Santa Cruz Mountains but the garden is growing and little treasures keep popping up. Sweet pea and Moonflower seeds are boldly pushing their way into the cool Spring air. The Wysteria is unfurling soft, velvety leaves, tentatively stretching towards the sun. Wild onions have emerged with their white flowers dancing among the orange Montbretia. The Japanese Maples are clothed in new leaves and spreading their limbs. Sunday Trace noticed our squirrel wind chime softly singing the wind's tune. Weather people say warmth is on it's way and Saturday may bring us an 80 degree sitting-out- on- the-patio- listening-to-the-birds-afternoon.

Native Plants

Living in the coastal mountains of Central California gives us the chance to incorporate native plants into our garden. Plants such as Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) are great as barrier plants and for wildlife. They require little care and have lovely yellow blossoms in April. The blossoms turn into berries that are enjoyed by the birds. Sambucus nigra ( Blue Elderberry) grows wild in the mountains near creeks and also produces berries in the Fall. Our squirrels use the branches as a tree path as they jump from our Birch and Cherry trees to the Elderberry . The Blue Jays love to congregate in the Elderberry and mock the squirrels with their chorus of cawing.