California fuchsia shot by the amazing Eric Hunt

Looking for some ideas for natives? Here are four of our favorites–two shrubs and two smaller perennials.

For shrubs, how about a Flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum) or Wild lilac (Ceanothus)? Both put out a generous bouquet of beautiful flowers and make a nice screen if you’re desperate for privacy.

Flannelbush flowers calling to you

Looking for something smaller?   Try the California fuchsias (Epilobium).  These are hearty little beasts that attract hummingbirds and many other pollinators.

Another spirited beauty that does particularly well in the fogbelt is the coastal aster (Aster chilensis).  This delightful  daisy can flower all year long and butterflies find it oh-so irresistible.

We’ve got a plant sale on Saturday, October 9, 10 am-1pm.  Come and get your natives!  There will be lots of knowledgeable volunteers to help you make the right choice for your garden.

Maybe it was too much nitrogen?

NUMBER THREE
The Hortiphile’s third favorite film about plants…..Little Shop of Horrors, the 1960 Roger Corman version which scared the bejesus out of us as youngsters, but is a hoot now.

It includes a character, Mrs. Hortense Feuchtwanger of the Society of Silent Flower Observers of Southern California. What’s not to love?  In fact, why wait for the rain, you can watch it right now.

http://www.steve-calvert.co.uk/pub-dom/the-little-shop-of-horrors.htm

Number Two

Day of the Triffids

Day of the Triffids,  the 1981 BBC version. (Another one so good they made it twice.) And you think your weeds are out of control?  Wait until you see what these evil plants are up to.

And finally, the Hortiphile’s NUMERO UNO favorite plant movie…..

Set in San Francisco, alien plants take over the world!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (The 1978 version.  All these plant movies are so good they make them twice). Plants from outer space take over San Francisco and eventually the world. Plants dominate! Which we always knew, but this movie proves it. Directed by San Franciscan Phil Kaufman, written by the late Jack Finney of Mill Valley.

Scary, fun, lots of great local shots. We love it.

Bring on the rain! We’ve got movies to watch. 

What’s your favorite plant movie?

Nothing smells better than this.

Where’s our scratch ‘n sniff monitors?!  The Luculias are in bloom throughout the garden.  This gorgeous Asian shrub produces some of the best smelling flowers around.  Don’t miss them.  They’re intoxicating.  We’ve got Luculias in the Rhododendron Garden, Asian Discovery Garden and Moon Viewing Garden.  Come by for a sniff.

Great story on killing weeds and lawns in the NY Times

Nice story on weed-free gardening in the Times today.   Lazy gardeners unite!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/garden/09garden.html?hpw

Instructor Saxon Holt shows how the master does it.

His photos have been seen everywhere from Smithsonian Magazine to Architectural Digest.  He’s published scores of books and won a pile of awards.  And now, Saxon Holt will be teaching a series of classes at the SFBG.

“We’ll be exploring how the photographer can develop the eye to see the design of the garden.  Understand the subtle design cues that make the garden beautiful.  If you first understand the garden, you’ll understand what will make a great photograph,” said Holt. “Let’s analyze what makes this pleasant, what makes it beautiful.”

Who should take these classes?  Holt hopes to see folks like himself who feel that gardens are important, that the aesthetics of the garden are important.

“Gardens feed our soul.  I passionately believe in gardens and hope to create a community of like-minded people.”

For more info go to our website: http://www.sfbotanicalgardensociety.org/sfbgs_course_template.cfm?s=5074

Or check out Saxon’s site: http://www.saxonholt.com

Classes schedule:

Picture the Enduring Garden, Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:30-9pm
Day Long Master Photography Workshop: September 25, 8am-7pm
Master Photography Photo Shoot: October 4, 11, 18 and 24 8am-12pm

The platonic compost screen. Perfect in every way.

This is a tray that commercial growers use to get their plants to nurseries.  Lots of local nurseries will give one to you for free.  It is absolutely the niftiest compost sifter ever.

Bernal Heights Sungold Harvest

Our favorite use for cherry tomatoes is to cut them in half, add minced fresh garlic and lots of chopped basil and parsley. Smother the whole mess in olive oil and allow that delightful concoction to sit for several hours.

When it’s chow time, cook your pasta, drain and toss with the uncooked cherry tomato surprise.  Add grated cheese if you’re a cheese adding person.  Then EAT!

The Hortiphile wants to know.  How do you  use your cherry tomatoes?

For new ideas, check out this recent NY Times story for more fun with fresh tomatoes.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/great-tomato-dishes-with-a-grater/

The Hortiphile is happiest with a Plant of the Moment.  This moment?  It’s the South African Lion’s Tail.

One of the wildest flowers in the garden

A gorgeous beast of a shrub, the lion’s tail grow to about 5 feet tall and explodes with an outrageous flower show every August.  Not only fabulous in the garden, they make great cut flowers, too.  Bees and hummingbirds love them.  And so will you.  Drought tolerant, this star from the mint family takes all kinds of neglect yet simply doesn’t care.  She gets it together, rises to the occasion and shows us what star power is.

A fabulous garden growing 10 feet off the sidewalk

Check out this stunning wall garden over the Candy Store Collective on 16th Street in the Mission.  It’s a hortiphile’s delight to bump into gorgeous gardens where we least expect them, like perched on the side of a building.

we worked ourselves into a frenzy discussing the changing role of the backyard gardener. Sure it’s always been a great hobby, now it’s an important hobby.

More than ever, Gardeners are now playing an important environmental role.  We can directly contribute to keeping endangered plant species alive.  Some of the plant species we sell at our sales are kept alive only by people taking the time and energy to cultivate them.  Saving and planting heirloom seeds keeps the species alive for future generations.

Bee with Pollen. Photo from pdphoto.org.

We can provide needed habitat and food for pollinators that are having a tough time these days.  By gardening organically, we provide a healthy, safe habitat for bees, birds, butterflies and other creatures that pollinate our food and flowers.

We are protectors of the soil, protectors of the Bay.  What we pour into our soil makes its way into our food and eventually makes its way to the Bay.  We gardeners are playing an active role keeping our Bay alive.

Gardeners, take a bow.  You’re making an impact.  A positive impact.

Want to learn to grow vegetables in the urban world?  Check out our Growing Edibles Workshop led by Master Gardeners.

Also…

Find out what’s happening to the bees and how you can help at our Honey Bees in Crisis class.

And finally,  don’t miss the amazing Ernesto Sandoval’s class,  How and Why Plants Live, Die and Thrive in Our Gardens.