Wild Roses: A Gift of Nature
Growing up in the fifties through the seventies, my experience with roses was of the cultivated variety. Famously large delicate blooms...
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The Sutro Stewards' Blog
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Lauren Jones
Jan 8, 2018
Plant Profile: Franciscan Wallflower
Franciscan wallflower or San Francisco wallflower (Erysimum franciscanum), a rare and endemic plant to California, can be seen growing in...
Janis Gomes
Nov 30, 2017
Soaproot: A Multi-use Marvel
Soaproot: A Multi-use Marvel (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) It’s a cold and rainy November afternoon and winter is tugging at my too-thin...
Janis Gomes
Aug 27, 2017
Yerba Buena: A Refreshing Native Steeped in History
As far back as 1775 and likely much earlier, yerba buena, a California native herb was thriving on the San Francisco peninsula. It was...
Janis Gomes
Jul 25, 2017
Columbine: A Flower of Meanings
Columbine (Aquilegia Formosa): A Flower of Meanings Plant lore associates the columbine with at least as many meanings as the petals on...
Janis Gomes
Apr 24, 2017
Native Trees: San Francisco’s Long time Residents
California is widely known as the home to some of the largest trees in the world. Among them is the native California redwood (Sequoia...
Janis Gomes
Mar 2, 2017
Pollinators: All They Need is a Little Love
For the last two seasons, I’ve noticed a pretty green hummingbird; I’ll call him Al (the Allen hummingbird is a common species in...
Janis Gomes
Jan 30, 2017
Plant Profile: Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
During recent walks atop Mt. Sutro, I found a fair amount of native Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum, syn. H. lanatum). With its large...
Janis Gomes
Dec 2, 2016
Plant Profile: Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Lately, it’s hard not to notice shrubs with bright red berries blooming just about everywhere in the City. But look more closely as only...
Janis Gomes
Aug 31, 2016
Gardening in the Dunes
San Francisco is a city of sand. When I arrived here over 35 years ago my first garden was in a flat in the Sunset District. I recall...
Janis Gomes
Aug 1, 2016
Plant Profile: Grindelia (Gum Plant)
Summer in San Francisco is in full swing. While the sun shines and the fog rolls in, there’s no better time to take a walk up on Mt....
Janis Gomes
Jun 2, 2016
Plant Profile: Farewell To Spring (Clarkia)
All seasons must reach their zenith, and spring is no exception. To prove it, I was sitting chewing on a pencil in the Sutro Stewards’...
Janis Gomes
May 2, 2016
Plant Profile: Manroot (Marah)
Since early January, I had been watching this cute little vine weave its tendrils around plants on Mt. Sutro, sometimes overwhelming...
Janis Gomes
Mar 7, 2016
Plant Profile: Blue-Eyed Grass
While our welcome winter rains are forecast into March and April, my internal body clock is asking, "Is it spring yet?" From the look of...
Janis Gomes
Jan 30, 2016
Plant Profile: Silk Tassel
While most flowering natives are bedding down for the winter, a little drama can be found in the landscape on Mt. Sutro, some of it on...
Janis Gomes
Nov 29, 2015
Plant Profile: Pink Flowering Currant
Winter is here in the Bay Area, but some natives are already looking forward to the clear yet milder weather that spring will bring. One...
Christina Russo
Sep 1, 2015
Plant Profile: Sticky Monkey Flower
Sticky monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus) is a beautiful drought tolerant plant. The name “monkey flower” was given to this plant...
Christina Russo
Aug 11, 2015
Plant Profile: Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora)
Tellima grandiflora, commonly known as fringecup or big flower tellima, is a fragrant flowering plant native to California but can be...
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