Garden Activities: July 14, 2026

Because it was predicted to be a scorcher of a day, we cancelled the “formal” work day and substituted a relaxed walk along the Nature Trail to see if there was any tree work to be addressed and to check on any noteworthy plants. Overall impressions were 1) that the non-irrigated parts of the garden are very dry, 2) that the seasonal changes in plants seem to be happening earlier than usual (e.g. the poison oak was already turning red.)  and 3) that there were still plenty of plants thriving despite the arid conditions.

Along on the hike were Krystyna Bacik, Dale Harshberger, Susanna Mac, Nancy Taylor Walker, Janet Wall, Marna Wensil and myself. Steve Davis was on site to water non-irrigated recent plantings and to meet with volunteer John Keba who will be helping with correcting some of the issues with the irrigation system.

The only tree that seemed to need attention was a coastal live oak at one of the first switchbacks coming from Entrance B which didn’t pass the “does it touch Marshall’s hat” test; so that will be added to the list.

Some of the noteworthy plants were present very close to Entrance B.  The first one was the chuparosa (Justica californica) that is on the left just after you enter Entrance B.

It is easily seen among the dormant but still living dried up bush sunflower (Encelia californica) which now populates the majority of Sage Hill along with other chaparral plants.

The yellow blossoms are more unusual in this CA native than the red color that characterizes the specimen in the native section on the up-hill side of the path running  between the two entrances to the garden. You’ll note that there are no leaves evident.  Small succulent leaves disappear when the plant begins to flower in late winter early spring. Once the flowering stops, the plant enters summer dormancy, but doesn’t die back completely.

Not far down the path is a desert willow (Chilopsis linearis).

As we have discussed before, this is one side of a cross with the southeastern catalpa tree which results in the chitalpa tree that we have blooming in the service area and at the top of the hill on the south side on either side of a bench overlooking Conejo Valley. This small desert willow tree is drought tolerant and winter dormant as is its offspring, the chitalpa.

Across from the desert willow a little farther down the path is one of the chaparral plants Beverly Brune incorporated into the planting scheme for Sage Hill that included the CA native bladderpod (Cleomella arborea). Note that this genus name has been updated from former names Isomeris and Peritoma.

Here it is with its distinctive seed pods that put one in mind of aliens duplicating earthlings in larger versions of these!

Moving to the NW side of the hill we found other environments which have developed largely naturally. There we saw two more CA native wild flowers worth mentioning.

Close up of the cliff aster (Malacothrix saxatilis) which looks like the small blossoms arise from dead stems.

Here's one growing in a more protected environment which shows the short grass-like foliage.

The second one is the slender or grassy tarweed (Madia gracilis) of which there are many on the back side of the hill. 

Like the cliff aster the tarweed is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae) whose main characteristic is flower heads that look like single flowers but are actually many tiny flowers. Unlike the cliff aster which is perennial, the tarweed is an annual - and it appears from the number currently in bloom, it has found a good home.

The group minus photographer Janet near the end of our tour.

Marna, Dale, Susanna, Nancy, yours truly and Krystyna disguising how tired and overheated we (at least I) felt!

Finally our rock artist who creates interesting structures in the Tranqility Garden isn’t the only one creatively making art out of materials at hand. Below is an object created by someone using cut and fallen branches to form a teepee structure that if you stare it long enough, begins to suggest all manner of creatures which I’ll leave to your imagination.

Enjoy the garden and the relative shade of much of the Nature Trail…KMM