I’d passed by the San Luis Obispo County Botanical Garden in El Chorro Regional Park several times a week for the past 4 and 1/2 years. The hillsides this time of year are dry and golden, the oak trees giving plenty of shade. It was past time to take a walk in the garden, to try to identify those pesky volunteer plants that survive my gardener’s neglect. It was a quick 6 mile drive inland from the coast. Off came the sweatshirt, on went the sun hat.
Entering through a cheerful purple bridge over a dry creek bed, the buzz of the bees and the stone steps pulled me into the garden. Even in this late season, after the driest year I remember, there were flowers that lingered.
Someone had thoughtfully labeled the plants, so I began my study, searching out species I’d seen but couldn’t name and verifying names I thought I knew. These botanical gardens are so helpful – I love their handy identification tags and descriptions. I walked around clucking with surprise at names I would never have guessed (propeller plant?) and humming with agreement at the more familiar (so many types of aloe.)
All the species are adapted to the dry California climate. Like these:
And some blossoming plants served a higher purpose, helping aĀ special little creature steal the show…
…and keep stealing the show…
again and again.
One of my favorites, an aloe plant, surprised me. This one was huge and stood upĀ from the ground, showing me a new variation on my old favorite.
On the way out from the garden, I came across the peskiest plant in my yard, one that keeps finding new places to sprout. Now, instead of inventing bad names, I know what to call it.
One Small Walk... 
Bear’s breeches made me laugh! I bet your own names for it where even funnier. Beautiful photographs, especially that little hummingbird.
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I even recently saw those bear’s breeches making an appearance in Spain, and how I loved knowing what to call them (in English at least) My own names for them became less loving every time I had to pull one out of the flower beds. They’ll be back this spring.
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It is amazing how the plants adapt to the climate. They were all beautiful, but I didn’t mind the little hummer stealing the show š
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I knew you’d like the humming bird. I’m always amazed when they pose š
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Breathtaking! Thanks for the tour.
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You are so welcome, Hugh. I am just catching up after being away from the internet for a month – can’t wait to see what you’ve written about our sad, sad election season. Susan
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This is just the kind of place we need to visit: a garden that puts names to plants we often see and have no idea what their names are. Yes, we’ve definitely seen “bear’s breeches” before!
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Beth – I think I spend more time with the nameplates than with the plants! Funny how long it took me to visit this garden. I’ll be going back soon, no doubt.
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I love botanical gardens and the one in San Luis Obispo looks beautiful. I didn’t have a hard time at all imagining myself strolling about, admiring the plants and listening to the bees buzzing in the peaceful sunshine. Lovely! Anita
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We are lucky with the weather here, Anita. And wherever there’s mild weather, the gardens can be glorious. We just had some rain, so the hillsides might even turn green this winter (I hope, I hope)
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Put this on the list for our next visit.
Cuz-O
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You’d both love it!
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