Native Miniature Mimulus

Mimulus alsinoides

This past weekend my neighbor and I took one of the weekend foster respites out to the Columbia River Gorge. Since it is a National Scenic Area, it is seriously protected, therefore it's a great area for viewing native flowers in bloom doing their thing. This is a good example of that, but the ironic part is that this picture was taken right next to one of the busiest spots in the area. Thousands of people will tromp right next to this little clump as it soaks up the spray continually given off by our iconic Multnomah Falls.

When I say this is miniature, I mean it. The plant itself was probably only 3"-4". The blooms were so tiny my camera had a difficult time capturing them. I was elated to be able to see something like this since I have been unable to hike for the last 10 years due to my health. Seeing this was really exciting, and it gives me some kind of hope that in the coming years I will be able to hike again.

Hallelujah! We have Western Redbuds from Seed

After three tries, I have finally germinated Cercis occidentalis. As luck would have it, my father-in-law has a tree at his home in California so I have had an ongoing seed supply just so long as I remember to ask in time for seed collection. Last year, I was able to to collect the seeds myself when I went down to visit my husband who's been working there at the vineyard for part of the year.

I am so excited to see these sprout up. Since the picture was taken last week, two more have appeared and they are all growing well now that our temperatures are going up around here. I love springtime in Oregon when we have rain, then sun, then rain, then sun again. It makes seed starting go so well.

Will keep one of these around for many years if I am able to do so. From here on out, this will all be new to me, but this isn't my first Cercis from seed, nor will it be my last. Luckily, these warm-weather western native shrub/trees can grow here in Oregon too.

Clematis 'Josephine"

The laptop camera does not do this flower justice but I had to share this bloom before it fades away. As I sit here, under my living willow arbor, drinking my coffee, I am adoring not only my loving outdoor cat, but this new laptop too. I'm able to take these new candid bloom images while listening to my favorite music. Now I just have to remember how to buy backup equipment so my images never disappear again as they did not that long ago on the other computer.

As far as clematis plants go, this is the showiest I have ever known and it is planted here where my guests sit just so that they can say things like, "Is that real? It looks like it's made of velvet!" What garden couldn't use a bloom like that, right? This is the second or third year it has lived here in my garden, and it is covered in flowers for the first time. It is the kind you do not have to cut back all of the way to the ground too so that makes it even more lovely since it's lower maintenance.

Since it is a hybrid only registered/introduced back in 2002 it may be a bit tricky to find, but I HIGHLY recommend it.

Mother's Day & Plants

For those of us without kids, those same kids who this weekend will be forced into taking Mom to some insanely busy Mother's Day Plant Sale and Tea, this post is for you! These are two of my furry four-legged children, and although they aren't really kids, at least they truly do appreciate the rewards of my plant labors. In addition, their unconditional love sees right past my chronic illness and my ups-and-downs with horrible pain and swelling.

The weather looks good for this weekend so I guess that Maurice (top) and Mona (bottom) can help me weed—or at least keep me entertained. (Macavity, the other cat, will look on from the window ledge and make faces at you both.)