High Desert Archives – Page 21 of 44

Backyard Uninvited Guests

By JM PerezMarch 7, 20141 min read493 views

Since the rain passed more critters are coming out from their hidings.

I am not sure how the little Cottontail Rabbit got into my backyard and I was surprised to see it. I guessed it came from the neighbors, making its way through an opening between the wooden fence panels and ended up in our backyard. It was fun watching it run around in search for a way out when it realized I wasn’t going anywhere. I saw it a few minutes later on the empty property lot behind our Home.

Seeing that Rabbit explained the damages on my Pretty Woman Daylilies as well as the Siloam David Kirchhoff Daylilies in the front garden. I wrapped some chicken wire around the plants to prevent further damages.

Bunny. — *Cottontail Rabbit in the Backyard.*

My husband set a Macabee Gopher Trap yesterday after finding a couple of freshly dug holes in the backyard. Sure enough we found a trapped Pocket Gopher the following day, making it the second in less than a month.

It is impossible to completely rid the garden of pests and animals. Placing Chicken wire at the base of plants and around them help minimize damages and give the gardener some peace of mind. Though there are pests and animals repellents out there, we must never forget that a hungry animal will risk anything to feed.

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By JM Perez

Flies Wasps Spiders Insects High Desert

Critters After the Rain

By JM PerezMarch 4, 20142 min read763 views

While walking in my backyard this morning, I found an insect resting on the leaves of my Coleonema Pulchrum. I searched online and found it to be an Ichneumon Wasp. I can’t tell if it’s a male or a female but I read somewhere however, that for most Ichneumons, the females have long ovipositors (sometimes longer than their body) and the males do not possess ovipositors.

The body of an Ichneumon Wasp consists of a thin waist with a very elongated abdomen and long antennae. They have five eyes which give them a wide range of vision. Ichneumon Wasps are considered beneficial insects as they are important parasitoids of other insects (living in or on a larger host and eventually killing it).

The pictures below are of that of a male Phidippus Johnsoni, also known as Red-backed Jumping Spider.
This particular species builds conspicuous tubular silky-like nests on the ground (under rocks, wood or debris). They remain inside their nests at night as well as during bad weather and prey during the day. They are sight hunters feeding on a wide variety of insects including spiders.

Both male and female have a bright red abdomen with the female exhibiting a black central stripe. The rest of the body is black. This species of spiders is very hairy. The Red-backed Jumping Spider bite is not fatal and only occurs when threatened, resulting in swelling and pain at the bite site lasting for several days.

It’s that time of year when Roses in the garden are being visited by Hoverflies.
Hoverflies are small to big flies with large heads, large eyes, and small antennae. They are important pollinators with some species imitating the appearance of Wasps and Bees to avoid predators (while they have two wings, Bees and the Wasps have four). They hover to attract mates and while feeding at flower blossoms or around aphid colonies. They are considered beneficial insects since their larvae feed on aphids, scales, thrips and caterpillars while adults feed on pollen and nectar.

The picture below is that of a Pied Hoverfly, with three pairs of white comma markings on the abdomen.

Click here to learn more about Jumping Spiders and here to learn more about Hoverflies.

The rain has passed and so insects and other critters come out from their hidings.

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By JM Perez

Repurposing Nature Flowers Shrubs & Trees High Desert

Finally, Some Sunshine

By JM PerezMarch 3, 20141 min read722 views

After nearly three days of rain, the High Desert is starting to see some sunshine and blue skies.

I awoke this morning to a beautiful view of the Mountains, which were covered in snow. The soil on the other hand, is still damped from the excess humidity and moisture in the air. As I walk around the property, I am pleased that there are no damages to the plants and the structures. All the plants look a lot happier and healthier.

A few of my Photinia Fraseri shrubs are already showcasing their small white flowers and red color of new growth. Fraser’s Photinia is a beautiful drought tolerant shrub that is great for hedges and privacy.

*Coleonema Pulchrum (Golden Breath of Heaven).*

My Coleonema Pulchrum “Pink Breath of Heaven” and “Golden Breath of Heaven” are covered with beautiful tiny delicate pale pink flowers and fragrant leaves. What I love most about this shrub is that it’s drought tolerance, wind tolerant, non-invasive, evergreen and has an aromatic fragrance when crushed. It blooms from late Winter through late Spring.

Thuja orientalis 'Berkmans Golden.' — *Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae (Thuja orientalis ‘Berkmans Golden’).*

This time of year, the Berkman’s Golden Arborvitae in my backyard are looking lovely with their delicate and attractive golden foliage. I have a few of these disease free, hardy and drought tolerant evergreen shrubs with the tallest being on each side of the entryway to my enclosed Patio. The shrubs are starting to produce cones.

Wishing you a wonderful time in your Garden today!

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By JM Perez

Weather Nature Flowers Shrubs & Trees High Desert

Our Gloomy Weekend

By JM PerezMarch 1, 20142 min read876 views

It rained all day yesterday as the weather forecaster said it would. It was heavy, non-stop with periods of thunder.
As of now we still have light showers, hoping it will be quick to pass. The aftermath of heavy rain on some plants such as succulents can be devastating. Some species might recover when the sun comes out and others are a total loss. Rainstorms can also create a lot of work. On the other hand, rain waters plants for free and can help dislodge pests from plants naturally (in my case, Aphids on my roses).

The whole West Coast has been in need of rain and we got some. If you ask my opinion, I will reply “enough already with the rain!” For someone who enjoys spending her weekends outdoors, gardening and working on yard projects with my little helpers, I am stuck indoors. It turned out to be a good thing since I am able to catch up on my Reading, TV shows and enjoying my favorite cup of coffee.

Here are some shots I took while I was out and about in the morning rain.

The partial single Rainbow above is of yesterday during the rainstorm. The Rainbow must have been visible for a good two to three minutes before rapidly disappearing in the clouds. It was a gloomy day.

I absolutely adore my Woodland Babies, which was a Collections ETC. purchase from a few years ago.

The Sweet Almond Tree is full of first leaves budding out.
I replaced the green set of Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair with a similar white set, this time including a matching side table. I love white furniture as they call attention, stand out against green foliage and colorful plants. They also enhance the yard, giving it a welcoming feel.

Our Navajo Globe Willow trees are leafing out. The one pictured above is one of two branches we grew from cuttings from a mature tree in Central California. Globe Willow makes a nice canopy tree, providing shade during the hot months. During Winter, their bare branches display beautiful silhouettes.

I found an unknown type of Moss growing at the base of a Heavenly Bamboo in the front yard.

If the rain ceases, I will be visiting a few nurseries this afternoon or tomorrow in search of Native plants for the Rain Garden I will be creating in my backyard.

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By JM Perez

Birds Insects Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Blooms In The Garden

By JM PerezFebruary 26, 20141 min read821 views

As I sit here typing and watching television, all I hear is Storm Watch in California on all the News Channels. It is a relief to know that California is finally set to get some much needed rain, which will help relieve the ongoing drought we’ve experienced since last Summer.

I put my gardening plans aside due to the cold and windy weather. What I did however, was walk around my property, taking pictures of plants, flowers as well as some creatures.

My Grape Hyacinth are coming up around the base of my Rose trees.

*Crimson Sparaxis (Sparaxis Pillansii).*

Orange Sparaxis. — *Orange Sparaxis (Sparaxis Tricolor).*

Crimson, Orange and Red Sparaxis, the first of the hybrids to bloom. Click here to learn to grow Sparaxis.

Hyacinths have started blooming in the backyard.

I spotted a bird perched on a Mulberry branch, which is the last tree to bud on my property.

A White-Lined Sphinx Moth resting on a leaf of the Pendula Yucca.

Yesterday we had beautiful skies and a lovely view of the mountains. Today is somewhat cloudy with thick clouds surrounding the mountains. Will it rain? Will it snow? Everything is possible though hard to predict as the weather here in the High Desert has a mind of its own. I, for one, am always hoping for the best.

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By JM Perez