Words, artwork and photos by Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! November 2024.
Mexican Sage and Japanese Anemones in the Garden
Honorine Jobert Japanese Anemone, Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', blooms over a two-month period in my garden in north San Diego County. These delicate flowers always come as a glorious surprise in autumn. They are in drifts all over the garden and the flowers last a long time. As well as enjoying them in the garden, they are terrific looking in a cut flower arrangement and great to take to a dinner party as a gift.
Japanese anemone, Anemone hupehensis, originate from Asia, especially China with hupehensis deriving from the Hupeh (Hubei) Province in Central China. However, being widely grown in Japan they have come to be known as Japanese anemones and were not introduced to Europe until the nineteenth century.
Mexican sage, Salvia leucantha, is so easy to grow and I look forward to it every year with beautiful long spears of purple with a touch of white. Sages and salvias are so easy to grow and drought tolerant. They make such a great shot of color in the garden. This flower is also wonderful in flower arrangements in the house or out in the garden and also looks so good in bunches with Japanese anemones to take to a friend. Mexican Flame Vine is also blooming in the garden. Bright orange flowers high up in the treetops.
We used to get rain at this time of year but with climate change everything is different. So far, we have had no rain this season. This is the time of year to plant bulbs and also sweet pea seeds. Check out my mom’s book for all the wonderful things that there are to do in the garden in November. Pat Welsh’s SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ORGANIC GARDENING Month-by-Month Guide Completely Revised and Updated. (A Kindle version of this book and used copies are available for sale on Amazon.)
We are so lucky to live here with our beautiful weather.
Today the ocean looked smooth as glass and a particularly gorgeous color of sky-blue as I drove to meet a friend for breakfast. Later, as I wrote this article, while communing with nature and the dogs in the garden, I felt grateful for the beauty in nature.
In progress artwork being done while outside enjoying my backyard nature.
Here’s to taking the time to enjoy your garden and the great outdoors.
As I finished this column frogs were happily croaking in the garden. What a delight! Happy gardening!
~Francesca
Artist, author, photographer, fly-fisher woman, Francesca Filanc grew up in old Del Mar and these days lives, paints and gardens in historic Olivenhain with her two dogs.
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Have gardening questions or want to learn more about Francie’s art? Contact: Franfilanc@gmail.com
