Places We Go : Spring Flora around the Bay Area

Friday was the first day of spring and don't we know it. For the first time ever in San Francisco, it was 90 degrees in March. At home, Oakland was in the high 80's all week. Our plants seemed to love the heat. Until I moved to the Bay Area I didn't know jade blooms and thrives as an outdoor plant but look at it by my front steps. And those orange blooms? Melanie's neighbor identified those plants as aloe. Who knew? Let's take a look around more of the blooming Bay Area.

Last Sunday, Jeanette and I had lunch at Palo Alto's Stanford Shopping Center. I love to look at their seasonal plantings including this spring display of foxglove, violas, tulips and other spring delights.

Stanford's beautiful geraniums - I caught an earthy whiff as I walked by. I would love to have pink geraniums in French pots all over the inside of the house.

Maybe not French, but the Palermo Pot from Pottery Barn, in natural, 10" tall, $69.50. Not exactly budget friendly but gorgeous.

Back at another flower bed at Stanford. To take a self-guided walk of their plantings, Stanford provides an online guide. And if you have time, the Stanford University campus is adjacent to the shopping center. Mission Revival and Richarsonian Romanesque architecture and spectacular trees including California Plane Trees, Deodar Cendars and Italian Stone Pines shouldn't be missed. https://stanfordgardenwalk.splashthat.com

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You might remember seeing photos of Melanie's new front yard here in January. She lives is nearby Pleasant Hill - zone 9b - a mild Mediterranean climate suitable for various plants, citrus, and a wide variety of vegetables during the warmer summers. But last week, it was unseasonably warm for spring. Melanie's Asian pear blossoms were blooming their hearts out. Let's take a look at other spring blooms in Melanie's garden.

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Marguerite daises in their pastel glory.

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The fushias will bloom until late fall.

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I didn't realize Wisteria blooms so early.

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Baby figs - my mouth is watering.

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Melanie's garden contains many varieties including new, fuzzy and immature almonds are called "green almonds." They'll eventually split to reveal what you and I call an edible almond.

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Melanie's husband bought this showy azalea in 2015. What a perfect foil to the green in a garden.

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Baby Blenheim apricots have dropped their lacy blossoms. Melanie will soon net a number of her edibles.

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An idyllic spot in Melanie's large backyard.

ruthann

And in Ruthann's Portland neighborhood, a magificent tree is blooming its heart out. Portland is in the 9A plant zone so their showy spring comes a bit later.

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Ruthann introduced me to wax bulbs at Christmas. Last week, I saw them at Trader Joes's right next to pots of shamrocks. All the water and nutrients an Amaryllis bulb needs is packed in and all is covered in colored wax. Aren't you tempted to get a few? I know I am but I'm also hoping to go on a walk today to see how our street is blooming. No matter what you do, enjoy your Sunday!