Where the wild things are part 3 2017

Lillium occidentale ???
More question marks because it seems to fit the bill, but it's not nearly as vibrant as the photos i've seen on the interwebs. Maybe this one was just a bit past prime and fading out, either way, it was about 6' tall, growing in standing water amid Darlingtonia californica, not far from the ocean and near the Redwood groves.

I could totally get into growing and collecting the lilies, since I opened up some more room at the back of the rock garden I might just have to start looking around.

Cheers,
Mark

Where the wild things are part 2 2017

No trip to California would be complete without a posting of a Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus on the path to the top of Trinidad head. 

Spent a little time wandering around the Alkaline fen at Eight Dollar Mountain, According to Jack Poff my old RSB Garden mentor these are the impossible to cultivate ones, because they love the cool, alkaline water flowing through the root run, while the temperature can easily top 100 for multiple days at a time. 

The more coastal strains grow in wet, sphagnum bogs with a more acidic composition and the strain I cultivate is far more amenable to cultivation in the standard peat/sand mix that most pitcher plans can take. This is a Del Norte Coastal population near the Smith River.

More lily pics coming soon.

Cheers,
Mark

Where the wild things are 2017

Lilium wigginsii??? Question marks because I'm not super up to speed on my western lilies of which there are many, this one seems to be the likely culprit growing on the margins of boggy Cobra Lily habitat among Pepperwoods and Madrone.

The Kiddo and I headed out for a summer 1000 mile road trip to eventually wind up at a family reunion in Lake County California. Along the way we decided to hit up some of the old Kalmiopsis/Siskiyou area I grew to love so much during my backpacking plant hunting days. 

Anya contemplates a stand of Del Norte Darlingtonia californica. The habitat is really so unique and the plant never ceases to amaze me every time I see it. I have been propagating this species for awhile now and it will be one that will be available in limited numbers in this years catalog. 

The sheltered anchorage at Trinidad is a unique place for sea farers

I think I have another close up of that Lily, which I think may be Lilium occidentale growing out of a patch of Cobra Lilies deep in the Coastal fog belt of California's Redwood habitat.



Catalog update! I'm starting harvest in the next with all luck, Please be advised I'll be offering a smaller list this year due to some pressing summer activities, I have to harvest, catalog and ship in shorter timer period this year as well, so look for the catalog and be prepared to order quickly or miss out until next year.

Sunny Summer days and temps in the high 80's to low 90's.

Cheers,
Mark

The summer bulbs

Calochortus clavatus ssp.clavatus

Not an easy one to photograph. Just a little catalog update here. I hope to start harvest sometime around the first of August. It's a busy summer for me so it may be a bit shorter list then usual but hopefully we will dig up some treasures that everyone seeks.

Summer is here with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s....the berries are coming on strong now!

Cheers,
Mark

Totality is a Rare Thing!

If you have never experienced a Total Solar Eclipse this summer offers you a chance.

I am working with some bicycle camp organizers to host a fun campout this summer as the path of a Total Solar Eclipse passes right over  Illahe Nursery and Gardens.

If you ride a bicycle and want to experience this event in a beautiful setting please join us you can get Information here:

http://solareclipse.bike/

and tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/total-solar-eclipse-bike-campout-with-komorebi-cycling-friends-on-bikes-tickets-35014976738