Ongoing studies suggest (notice I say, suggest) that plants not only recognize their kin (their own species, not including a different cultivar) but act aggressive to “strangers”, or different species trying to grow in their root space. There are many articles to read on this subject which led me to staying in my office for far too long last night, freezing – but intrigued in the topic and debate. I scrolled through some pictures I took earlier in the day, and noticed all the botanical kin recognizing and un-recognizing  going on in my own garden. The pot of annuals, happily co mingling together. The lone Aloe – who’s roots expand frighteningly fast without another to crowd it out. And the Buddlea – that committed suicide last week from being associated with the Oxalis that reseeded in the same pot (or because it was really cold).

Stop and think about the relationships in your garden, I bet there are a plethora of plant liaisons. I can’t even count how many orgies I am hosting in my garden. For instance, the pleasure pot you see in the main image is a menagerie of Echeveria (not sure the species, it was a cutting/gift from a grower), Sedum (Sedum angelina), Arctotis (Arctotis acaulis) and the always fabulous Penstemon ‘Blue Springs’ (Penstemon heterophyllus). They grow wonderfully together and are clearly not recognizing that they are different species and should possibly be orgy-ing with only themselves (can you orgy with just yourself?). Maybe, kin recognition is limited to in ground planting, and the secret rule is when planted in a pot – all bets are off. It sure looks that way – that Sedum’s inhibitions are completely gone, it seems.

Adversely, the Gunnera is self loving (or self soothing… that’s a whole different post) in this wretched cold weather. No orgies for this prehistoric plant.

What kind of orgies do you have going on right now?

I understand it’s cold and snowing elsewhere in the world. But here, in Half Moon Bay, CA – it’s almost 70 degrees.

In tribute to this fabulous weather that is inspiring emergence in my garden, here are some lovely emergence related links.

Take a moment to indulge:

Emergence

emergence

Emergence

emergence

Emergence

All jokes aside, I love when it’s this time of year and your gorgeous sunflowers go into seed mode. Very cool. The birds are going crazy and use this ‘Titan’ sunflower like a giant buffet!Even if the birds don’t get at these sunflowers, they look really cool left out in the garden to warp and twist in the sun.

Where can you find this giant beauty? Try here.

Here are some other things going on in the garden:

Sprout, Queen of the deck garden.

I love this type of columbine. It’s planted in a medium terra cotta pot, with plenty of peat moss mixed in the planting soil. I love the fluted royal purple petals it puts out. Very simple and understated. Below is a little greenhouse I made years ago, housing some holy basil and italian basil.

Fabulous Carnivorous Flower

I cut back all the foliage on the carnivorous plants Dustin gave me, replanted them in peat and have been watering lots. This blossom blasted up quickly and have been a gorgeous little spot of yellow amongst the terra cotta on my deck. Next to it, a lovely little snail setting up shop on my kniphofia flower, next to the sweet peas.

I love this verbascum. I bought it at Annie’s Annuals and have had it in this pot for a year. It’s located right by my front door and beckons to be petted when ever I rush in and out during the day.

Lastly, the verbena and sweet pea intertwined. They are both in a fairly small terra cotta pot on the steps, but seem to be very happy. You brush by them every time you go up or down the stairs.

But today, whilst searching for that leather club chair I need so badly, I stumbled over to the farm & garden section and found this piece of work!

Ok, try to read this nonsense:

“Yes i trap,poisin help kill
gophers[thomysedies] moles also,they become earthly active soon,now as ground is soft dont send mounds,but compress earth ,and they never leave a entrance for snakes,ever,have to get [QUEEN]as males are subordinates,and juvenile females,at first sign of tunnels,is time,ive had gophers dig 30 ft.for a plant,not any more,i do this cheaply,and i get them,So no planting is protected,but plant some tomatoes and see,radishes?i do not have to get big money as i like eliminating the issue[gophers],and i take the bodys,ive caught many,even QUEENS,Males are workers,only lead male [strongest] is allowed to breed[queen]“

**Now, I don’t take issue with killing gophers. I do feel bad since they are just trying to eat, and I don’t EVER recommend, suggest or pretend it’s ok to poison them – but if you want to trap your gopher that’s decimating the garden, go for it. But can’t we try to keep some dignity for those poor little bastards? I mean – this person clearly can’t formulate a cohesive sentence… and when people use CAPS in their posts (ok, I did it once above) it’s them YELLING AT YOU, and personally, I don’t like to be yelled at.

Gardener’s: if you want more info on getting rid of your gophers (somewhat) humanly, check the links in this sentence.