Living in the Santa Monica Mountains, I am able to see these flowers every day on walks with my dog, or hikes on the many trails of the California State Parks, even in my own backyard.
Topanga Canyon, situated in the Santa Monica Mountains just outside Los Angeles, is so magical: you can forget you are outside a large urban sprawl. I invite my friends up a lot this time of year to hike. They are always amazed at the flowers they see here that they don't get to see "in town." While annuals like petunias and begonias and such are cheery and colorful, they are no match for the wildflowers, so alive and free!
Matilija Poppies Romneya coulteri with Purple Showy Penstemon Penstemon spectabilis (above), California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum (right), Monkey Flowers Mimulus Diplacus aurantiacus (below), Daisies (below), Mustard, Sage, Milkweed, Lupines, CA Poppies .. all cover the hillsides with color in the Spring, delighting us with meadows full of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and of course blooms!
What a lovely voice you have, Native Gardener. It really makes me long to be in the Santa Monica Mountains, hiking through the chapparel (sp?), sun beaming down, critters in the wild. What a talented sister I have :)
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