Native Garden

    These are really smart ladybugs feasting on pesky oleander aphids that are in our milkweed #Ladybugs #Milkweed #NativeGardenA cluster of ladybugs are in the center of a milkweed, where new tender growth has attracted oleander aphids. The milkweed leaves, some of which are chewed up from the previous day's hail, are broad and full of veins.

    Poppies (1st photo) are now in full bloom and clarkias (2nd) are about to do the same. 🌱

    front yard landscape with golden poppiesmagenta clarkia flowers

    Now in bloom in our backyard: cultivated California Wild Roses (pic 1) and Elderberry (2). Still gorging themselves: ladybugs. Everywhere in our front yard. They’re just decimating aphids. Ladybugs particularly love coyote bush (3) and sage.

    wild rose flower with white flower petalsyellow elderberry flowersbright orange ladybugs all over a coyote bush

    Ladybug larva gorging on aphids gorging on sage. And nearby, a bright orange ladybug pupa. 🐞 🌱

    side view of black with orange spots ladybug larva on safe lead.top view of black with orange spots ladybug larva on sage leaf.bright orange ladybug pupa on dead sage leaves

    Today I noticed my cultivated native grapevines we’re leaking water where I recently pruned them. A quick search revealed that is totally normal. I’ll try to grab a photo tomorrow. 🤯 🌱

    … and here’s a lovely jumping spider hanging out on a manzanita leaf that’s surrounded by a creeping sage bush. Some white manzanita flowers show through the leaves.

    a hairy jumping spider on a smooth manzanita leaf.

    Our front yard cultivated native fuchsias are still blooming. All summer, with minimal added water, and into winter. Amazing plants.

    Our apricot is almost ready to overwinter. The nectarine at the bottom left is being a bit stubborn. California wild rose at the bottom right is in full growth mode.

    Our street is nicely obscured from the front yard by cultivated native California plants. They rarely get watered but has been more frequent the past two summers. California buckwheat is showy now with its rust colors and white flowers.

    Preying Mantis in our California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). They sure do keep two eyes on you.

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