CA fuchsia ~ 12/10/11 ~ Los Padres Dam

California fuchsia / hummingbird trumpet
Epilobium canum (formerly Zauschneria californica)
Onagraceae

I was pleased to find CA fuchsia blooming out in the wild in December. It's a cheery Christmassy color. I didn't know the seeds would be fluffy. Actually, I rarely find it growing wild because of my hiking location choices and time of year I most often hike (spring). I doubt I'd recognize this plant if it weren't in bloom. I should have taken better pictures of its leaves. The CA fuchsia is a very popular native plant with gardeners these days, and I often see it used in landscaping around town and on CA garden blogs, like Camissonia's Corner and Sierra Foothill Garden. I didn't see any hummingbirds feeding on it, but I know they're around. I should point out the CA fuchsia is not a real fuchsia; it's a willowherb.

lilac fuchsia ~ 05/29/10 ~ Cooper Molera Garden

lilac fuchsia
Fuchsia arborescens
Onagraceae

Lilac fuchsias are blooming everywhere around town right now. I can't recall ever seeing this flower out in the wild. Apparently, it's very popular in local gardens and originates from Central America.

These pictures were taken at the Cooper Molera Adobe, part of the Monterey State Historic Park Secret Gardens. It reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books The Secret Garden, since most of the historic gardens are hidden behind tall adobe and brick garden walls. In fact, on the other side of the wall in the last pic is a packed parking lot for Trader Joe's and Pete's Coffee; I doubt most of the patrons even know of the existence of this garden. Last year Cooper volunteers moved their chickens and a lonely sheep to other state parks out of the area in preparation for budget cuts. I'm not entirely sure what happened with all the threats to close significant portions of the CA State Parks, but it looks like even the Pacific House museum was open this weekend.

ps 06/04/10 - I lied! Right below home on the Rec Trail, there are several garden escapees next to the storm drain. Have I mentioned this is blooming everywhere?