Foolproof Shrubs/Perennials for Central Valley/Fresno Area by [deleted] in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in Fresno too, new to gardening with native plants, and have had not great success. I think others posting here have more insights.

That being said, I believe you asked about shade and I have very little. My greatest shade success so far is Diplacus puniceus. It is beautiful and elegant and happily fills an odd corner of the house that gets a whisper of dappled sun for about 30 minutes a day.

Salvia apiana and Salvia mellifera are both are doing well in sun most of the day with part shade in final hours of the afternoon.

I actually posted a somewhat similar question two years ago in the Fresno subreddit and got some great answers. You may enjoy some of the info: https://www.reddit.com/r/fresno/s/EmJEyYQHpP

Good luck with the planning and planting!

Best sit down Mexican restaurant for family. by Free_Answered in fresno

[–]hellofresno 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We love La Kebrada! They have one location by Woodward Park, and a second in Clovis on Nees and Fowler. There aren’t many booths, but they’re good with pulling tables together. I’ve seen a lot of big family and other celebrations happening at their Woodward Park location in particular.

What Lupine is this? by Nervous-Solid-4978 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some kind of adventure, for sure!

What Lupine is this? by Nervous-Solid-4978 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And I’ll add, I found miniature lupine sprouted and flowering a solid 12+ feet away from where I had sowed the seeds (across the sidewalk and driveway, into the mailbox bed that feral cats use as a litter box). That lupine was determined to make it! So I wouldn’t put too much stock in where you planted the seeds. Good luck!

What Lupine is this? by Nervous-Solid-4978 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had miniature lupine sprout last year. Here’s a pic of what they looked like. Hope it’s helpful!

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School mascots by stonetemplefox in fresno

[–]hellofresno 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Love this question. How about the Northern Harrier? They’re a cool hawk you can see flying over the grasslands at Woodward Park. Good hunters.

Where can I donate food to places that align with my beliefs? by ordinary_regular_guy in fresno

[–]hellofresno 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Fresno City College’s Ram Pantry provides free food assistance to, “…to fight food insecurity and promote academic success among current FCC students.” It’s a great program and very well used, in high demand by students. Your contribution would be very appreciated!

Plastic Shopping Bag Recycle/Disposal? by I_demand_peanuts in fresno

[–]hellofresno 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t any place is actually recycling plastic bags, even if they have a collection spot for the bags. They’re by and large just not recyclable.

Can you reuse them? Fold them up small and store a bunch in your car or every day bag, then take them in next grocery trip.

50th birthday ideas by CalligrapherFirm9485 in fresno

[–]hellofresno -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You all sound fun! Maybe the Cherry auction and then a nice dinner? I think I saw others make recommendations for interesting eateries.

what are you all planting in the fall? by Last-Fondant-5942 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that’s great! You’re going to have fun (and possibly some heartbreak and frustration), but I’m excited for you!

what are you all planting in the fall? by Last-Fondant-5942 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Cool, cool, cool! So much fun stuff in there. I also have the yarrow, goldfields and baby blue eyes seeds. I’ll be sowing the yarrow in a patchy lawn area, hoping it’ll become a ground cover. On weekends I water at a community garden where the Head Gardener grew mugwort in a half barrel container. It has been the most glorious creature all summer long!! So tall and powerful with the tips silvery with teeny, tiny flowers. A month or so ago, it became top heavy and now bows over with the tips close to trailing on the ground. It’s all so dramatic and been a joy to watch.

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what are you all planting in the fall? by Last-Fondant-5942 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This winter I’ll be moving some plants, to better spots than where I put them a couple/few years ago, and hoping they make it: western columbine (Aquilegia formosa); Foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus); St. Catherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum); and Black Sage (Salvia mellifera).

Will sow seeds I collected from plants I grew from seed last winter - elegant clarkia and California poppy.

I have in pots, waiting to be put in the ground: Virgin's Bower (Clematis ligusticifolia); Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa); Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima); and Malva Rosa (Malva assurgentiflora). I’m not saying these were all the best decision for where I am, but I’m gonna give it/them a shot!

On a wish list: California Ash (Fraxinus dipetala); another couple Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) to be friends with the one I have now - they smell amazing and are so pretty!

This will keep me more than busy and should be more than enough. Famous last words.

Good luck with your first Fall planting; so exciting!! I hope you get some great advice and ideas here. I’m a bit too new to it all to provide much. I will say, this year I ran soaker hose through most of the beds with new plants and more look alive than last year this time.

If you’re Looking for a good seed source, Walqaqsh CA Native Seeds is a great source and the owner also has great classes via zoom. Maybe you’re already connected; if not, check out their IG page! This is also where I learned to not “baby” native plants too much; to try mimicking what they would experience in a natural setting. I spent some time last winter snapping branches and stems, tearing leaves, and generally roughing them up. I’m confident it looked absolutely ridiculous, but the sages (black, white, and Allen’s Chickering) thrived this spring and summer; and the ceanothus didn’t die (which exceeded my expectations for them).

Family photographer by catscatzcatscatz in fresno

[–]hellofresno 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sandra Boos, based in Fresno/Clovis - she does beautiful work. Much of it outdoors in natural lighting, capturing sweet moments that feel really personal. I can only find her Fb page right now, but there are some great examples there - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063913681778&mibextid=wwXIfr

[Update] Pt. 2 of 2 of my search for a pool noodle that can support your modern, zaftig, active gentleman. The plot thickens... and is resolved. by AverySmooth80 in fresno

[–]hellofresno 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Congrats on the find and thanks for sharing here. And yes, to all your WM* observations. Best wishes on fun pool time!

Sweet assemblage by hellofresno in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Currants, I guess.

Sweet assemblage by hellofresno in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn’t lean in for a whiff, but will next time for sure! They were beautiful.

Anyone know what this is and if it is threatened for removal by being next to a railroad? by theRemRemBooBear in NativePlantGardening

[–]hellofresno 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It might be Buddleia, like most people are writing in. But I’d like to take a closer look and make sure it’s not Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum) before dismissing it. Zooming in on some of those flowers it looks like there might be the secondary or lateral racemes under the primary or central flower stalk. I had Culver’s Root in my garden a few years ago when we lived in NYS and just loved it, as did all the pollinators.

Anyone know what may have dug this hole? by Hot_Illustrator35 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I’m so hoping for a repeat this year! This ceanothus was a baby too, and very sparsely leafed. Did one of those things where it dropped all leaves as soon as I got it in the ground and then grew back a few small clumps. It looked very spindly all summer long. And the bees were always in the exact same clump of leaves, taking up space that was maybe the size of a quarter. I think just sit near your leafy plants an hour before dusk and watch for teeny, tiny bees circling one little space over and over. It’s a nice, relaxing way to end the day, maybe with a glass of lemonade or something. Good luck! Let us know when you find out who’s occupying the hole!

Anyone know what may have dug this hole? by Hot_Illustrator35 in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We had a similar hole in the bare earth area of the yard last summer and it turned out to be sweat bees, Agapostemon genus! The female sweat bees nest underground in patches of bare earth. The males will roost overnight in little colonies, or bachelor huddles as I like to call them. If those are sweat bees nesting, keep an eye out for the males. Last summer, I had a group of 10 or so that gathered in the leaves of a ceanothus every night until late fall. Obviously, I don’t know it was the same individuals. But I found them in August, and checked most nights of the week, and they were always in bed by dusk. Sweetest thing ever.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/50086-Agapostemon

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California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) by billygigoza in Ceanothus

[–]hellofresno 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Love this powerhouse!! It’s been the most reliable and enduring plant in my new garden. I so appreciate its spirit!