It is a slow process trying to identify the plants around here, especially in the front garden. Over time, I have added to the diversity of plant species growing in the garden area and have identified many of the species already present, but several species have eluded my attempts at identification. Well, I was finally able to generate a tentative identification of one of the hardier species that grows in the front garden. A wildlife (deer) resistant species that likes full sun, little water, it is a perennial that produces volunteer seedlings easily. Producing stems small yellow flowers along a spike like raceme, it attracts bees and butterflies before producing elongated seed pods. The
velvet leafed senna,
Senna lindheimeriana, is particularly rugged and well adapted growing about 6' in height and should make a nice addition to the other areas of the estate.
Since it meets the
standards established for planting on the estate I have planted seed and transplanted a number of volunteer seedlings into buckets in hopes of growing specimens along the curve in the driveway where topsoil barriers have been in place for several years. This area was originally all hard pan clay subsoil but is slowly regaining soil, pants, and biomass. It is not irrigated and requires plant species that are well adapted to the high desert and little rain. In addition, I have planted seed for the
Desert bird of Paradise,
Caesalpinia gilliesii, as well as
Sacred Datura,
Datura wrightii, for the owners wife. Commonly known as Jimson weed, sacred datura is hardy perennial species, grows low and produces a fair amount of biomass which should assist in the areas restoration. While the bird of paradise also requires little water, it should also do well in this restoration area.
The goal is to fill in this area with grass and perennials for guests staying at the
Painted Pony Resort.
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| Aerial view of the corner with topsoil restoration barriers at the corner of the drive |
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| Ground view of topsoil restoration barriers with new grass and plant growth |
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| Velvet leaf senna (Lindheimers senna). |
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| Desert bird of paradise |
I will have to try the Velvet leafed senna. I do have Bird of Paradise and many fish hook barrel cactus [hard to find until they bloom]
ReplyDeletesome flower a friend asked for seed, I have to get ID of that; Desert Verbena that comes up where IT wants!
I have several plant ID apps for the iPhone and used them to ID the plant. Trying to identify plants on the desktop computer from a general Google search I find much more difficult. The key based apps do a pretty good job.
ReplyDeleteI did note that after planting seed along the driveway the rabbits came and dug many of them up. So I may have to go with transplants. I'm also collecting more seed from the senna and you are welcome to some for your yard if you wish.
The quail took dirt baths by the transplanted Verbena killing some. Maybe a rabbit or two helped.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer of senna seeds. I may take you up on the offer!
The wildlife can be hard on the plants, especially species they find appetizing. I've nursed the crepe myrtle back after the deer stripped most of the leaves and one small pine is still struggling after their buffet meal. A couple of years ago I had to build barbwire teepees around several red yucca plants just to keep the Javelina at bay.
ReplyDeleteand with all this rain, there is plenty of food for the wildlife, they just prefer the plants we want. Grrrrr
ReplyDeleteYep your right, we tend to plant tasty stuff which they like, hence my list of standards for plants that I will plant. I'm tired of everything I plant not surviving the wildlife. I've noticed the rabbits keep eating the new blooms on the Penstemons I planted last year. They leave the stems and leaves but nip off the flower buds. I planted a large spiny prickly pear pad the owner collected and it put out a new pad, but before the spines could develop the rabbits found it and had a snack. I'm also rooting some roses from the guesthouse hoping that the thorns will keep the rabbits away.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see rabbits [both Jacks and Cottontails here] munching on grass, I cheer them on.
ReplyDeleteI think we need goats!
There is a place for cattle, sheep, and goats on the landscape but I have observed that the timing, number, and duration of large grazers can make a big difference in quality of land. Unfortunately, these parameters often get pushed to the limits in an effort to maximize profitability. This is most apparent on some unfenced private land and some state and federal leases. Around the estate I use the river bottom as a seed reservoir but anticipate eventually having large grazers at some point to crop back the grasses.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I was half joking about the goats. The Painted Pony was overgrazed once upon a time and a rancher wanted to buy it and leave it untouched for YEARS to help it come back. The rancher who overgrazed your place had few ranchers at his funeral because they disapproved of his methods.
ReplyDeleteI had heard that story but there are areas that are in even worse shape around here. The ranch land to the southeast is all low mesquite with very little grass. When I did the ant colony survey across the estate I found significantly less primary consumers (ant colonies) on this ranch land consistent with the lack observable lack of grasses. But I think resting the land is only part of the solution nowadays. Active intervention to restore grasses, remove mesquite and Ephedra, and generate new topsoil are all components to getting a productive landscape. For example, at the corner of the entrance drive, an area of about 0.4 acres, where I test restoration ideas had 1 or 2 ant colonies when I started, but now has 7 colonies. So active intervention does have a positive effect.
ReplyDeleteYou are a font of ideas AND energy! Admired by many!
ReplyDeleteOn the hike Thursday [I am overdue for doing the report but I'm waiting for a list of all the plants we saw] there are probably three plant experts hiking who might give you a name or two of plants that fit your requirements [ease of use: come back every year and animals don't eat them]
Thank you for the compliment. I see the land and ideas on how to make it better pop into my head. But being trained as a Biologist I have found the scientific method is a useful tool when approaching a problem I know nothing about. It seems I'm always on the learning curve working out here.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of plant experts out here and I'm always asking visitors if they know plants. I'm still looking for a vertebrate paleontologist to ID the fossilized skull and bone fragments I found washing out of an arroyo.
I bet some of the Portalites could ID the skull for you.
ReplyDeleteThat is a possibility, but unfortunately there are only fragments of jaw with teeth. My best guess is a Pleistocene horse. https://bloggingfromthebootheel.blogspot.com/2013/10/paleontology-at-painted-pony-resort.html
ReplyDeletemy older larger bird of paradise is about to be dead; I need to ask Barbara, from whence it came years ago about this; maybe some blight, maybe it was supposed to last forever.
ReplyDeleteIf you need more seeds, I've been collecting them from the seedling I grew last year and your welcome to some. I also got the seedling from Barbara. I had 5 sprout so far from the seeds I collected, and 4 have survived so far. I'm pruning lower limbs on the one growing in the garden hopping for a tall specimen.
ReplyDelete