Tiny flowers: Claytonia perfoliata and Arctostaphylos patula
Claytonia perfoliata
Bulbs may be the most obvious plants in bloom right now, but if you look closely there are a few other surprises too. Two of my favorites are Claytonia perfoliata – Miner’s lettuce and Arctostaphylos patula – Green leaf manzanita
Claytonia perfoliata
The Miner’s lettuce is an annual from the western coastal regions of North America. It is scattered throughout the south end of the Dryland Mesa Garden and is a tiny succulent with pink flowers in the center of a round leaf. It was apparently used a s a source of vitamin C by miners during the California gold rush.
Arctostaphylos patula
The Arctostaphylos patula is on the eastern side of Dryland Mesa. With its shiny red bark & evergreen leaves it is spectacular year round. Most people miss its flowers as it blooms so early but the tiny pink clusters are worth a closer look . It is in the heather family and the flowers are strikingly similar to those of heather.
March 24, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Thank you Dominique. I need someone to tell me about these treasures because I am not as observant as I could be.
I will check them out tomorrow. Hope I am not too late.
March 25, 2010 at 8:49 am
I love that manzanita! Is that typically hardy in our zone? Will it grow easily in my garden?
March 25, 2010 at 11:47 am
The manzanita is hardy, however it is not very available & is notoriously hard to propagate. The nearest thing is the Plant Select hybrid which is available but does not get so big & the leaves are smaller.