We’re visiting with Jill Blodget today.
We purchased our 5-acre parcel in Cameron Park (Northern California, Zone 9B), in 1998. We spent five years clearing brush, poison oak (some of the poison oak had 2- to 3-inch trunks that climbed and wound throughout the oak trees), and excessive manzanita before finally building our home. Like many GPOD contributors, we have had multiple challenges in our beloved garden, including clay soil, rocks, rocks, and more rocks, as well as deer, rabbits, voles, skunks, and more. But they were here first, so we let them take a small share.
The gardens around the house are mostly perennials that are at their peak in the summer. However, we have a few spots with late winter–early spring jewels to enjoy that are shared here.
In addition, we have enhanced some of the oak woodland areas with various bulbs that bloom from about mid-February to May. The natural soap plant (Chloragalum pomeridianum, Zones 7–10) leaves are very similar to daffodil greenery, so we have tucked about a thousand of them throughout the areas down the hill from our home. We have also added in some snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus, Zones 3–9) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis, Zones 4–9).
Camellia (Camellia japonica, Zones 7–10), with rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, Zones 7–10) behind it, work well together. These are two of our first late winter–early spring bloomers.
A closer view of the winter rosemary flowers
Christmas rose (Helleborus hybrid, Zones 4–9), with variegated daphne (Daphne odora, Zones 7–10) in the background
This daphne in bloom is right by the front door, where it gives out such a welcoming, wonderful smell.
Miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata, annual) is one of the first things to come up naturally in the woodlands behind our home in the late winter.
The miner’s lettuce gets harvested daily for the chickens to enjoy as a salad.
Snow crocuses celebrate spring with their early blooms.
A beautiful daffodil (Narcissus hybrid, Zones 4–9) blends in with the native plants growing in the garden.
Foliage of the soap plant looks similar to that of daffodils. Later in spring, it will produce panicles of delicate, fragrant, white flowers.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
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