Looking at the 10-day weather forecast (sun, sun, sun and more sun) this seems like a good week to explore Xeriscaping in Southern Oregon.
What is xeriscaping? Hint – it’s also known as low water use landscaping, water-conserving landscaping, drought-tolerant landscaping and smart scaping.
Urtica dioica – Stinging Nettle; Dead Nettle – Lamium purpureum
What is in a common name? Last week I talked about Hedge Nettles that have square stems and two lipped flowers. This week we will look at two other Nettles.
Albinism, or rare off-coloring, among wildflowers isn’t too common but does occur occasionally in most wildplant species. In many species color varies normally from purple or blue to pure white, as in the low-growing alpine phlox, a thoroughly established resident of Rough and Ready Park, which is usually purple to blue but sometimes white; or the delicately beautiful Lee’s lewisia, which is mostly a solid purple but occasionally turns up the purest white.
This week we continue our virtual meet and greet with the Black Bear (Ursus americanus). If you missed Part I, you can catch up before you continue with Part II.
This week’s Rogue is a very Oregon Tale we’ll title, “Not all sheros wear capes; some wear ribbon skirts.”
With all this heat and smoke becoming a regular summer event, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my best summer ever and that was the summer of 1970. I was living with my mother in Sacramento, and my father was in Los Angeles – La Puente to be exact.
Let’s face it, we’re all weary of talking about wildfires, but with East Evans Creek Fire still burning – ‘tis the season and really nothing says “Fire in the Area” more than that heart-stopping alarm klaxon coming from your phone with each Watch Duty notification.
Hedge Nettle – Stachys cooleyae – Cooley’s Hedge Nettle; Stachys mexicana – Mexican Hedge Nettle
There are a number of pretty flowering wildflowers that tend to be overlooked. They tend to blend into the background. Stachys is one of these flowers. Unless there is a large group growing together in an open area there, they can make quite a show.
One day last week I made a decision that, before the day was ended, set me to wondering if sometimes it isn’t best to look before you pounce. The methodical, businesslike way of going about our daily experiences is by way of careful planning and logical preparation, I suppose; but such a staid and meticulous way of living is sure to eliminate the many little thrills and surprises we find waiting around the various corners when we indulge in a more haphazard and impetuous method of progression.