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California Native Plant Society

Santa Clara Valley Chapter

Pollinators and Blooming Beauties [9/16/2015]

Skipper on Grindelia camporum

What's Blooming in the Nursery

Most of the time, these articles will be about specific plants that we think you would enjoy adding to your garden. But sometimes, we can't resist sharing the wonders that we see as we work in the nursery. This week the Grindelia camporum (Great Valley gumweed) was a pollinator magnet. Skippers, bees and flies (masquerading as bees) were busily feasting.

Of course, the parade of flowers didn't end there. A few of the others on display included: 

  • Achillea millefolium (common yarrow) - the Island Pink variety was eye-poppingly bright
  • Corethrogyne filaginifolia (common sandaster)
  • Dendromecon harfordii (bush poppy)
  • Diplacus X (hybrid monkeyflower)
  • Epilobium canum (California fuschia)- in addition to the usual reds, 'Summer Snow' brings white into the mix
  • Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush)
  • Eriogonum (buckwheat) - a huge selection of these wonderful summer and fall bloomers continue to put on a show.
  • Monardella macrantha (hummingbird monardella)
  • Monardella villosa (coyote mint)

You can see a selection of some of these flowers in our gallery. You can also buy some for your garden at the upcoming Member's sale on Wednesday September 30, from 10 am to 1 pm. If you're not a member, you can sign up online or join at the sale. If you can't make the Member's sale the Fall Plant Sale is coming up on October 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The sales will be at the CNPS Nursery at Hidden Villa Ranch, which is located at 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, 2 miles west of I-280. Come early for the best selection. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted. Bring boxes to carry purchases home. Free parking. No pets.

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