The Desert Underground
Who would guess that anyone could say, with any credible authority, “Mushrooms can help save the world?” And even more preposterous, that in the desert, fungal threads that connect to plant roots combat global warming? Even though these statements sound like science fiction, we are finding that both are proving to be absolutely true. These concepts were at the forefront of the vision to create an artistic, visually compelling book that would transport readers along a graphic “tour” of the unseen […]
Plant of the Month – September
Desert Willow, Desert Catalpa Chilopsis linearis Plant Form: Deciduous tree Water Use: Low Mature Size: 15-25 ft. tall x 18-20 ft. wide Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun Bloom Time: Spring (Apr-May), Summer (June-Aug), Fall (Sept-Oct) Native to: California, Arizona, Mexico (below 5000 feet) Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F Desert Willow is a fast-growing, multi-trunked tree or large shrub that twists and leans as it reaches skyward, creating an interesting, open crown in age. Its long, narrow, bright green leaves give a willowy appearance, […]
Plant of the Month – August
Jojoba, Goatnut Simmondsia chinensis Plant Form: Evergreen shrub Water Use: Extremely Low Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall x 8-10 ft. wide Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Time: Winter (Feb), Spring (Mar-May), Summer (June) Native to: California, Arizona, Mexico (between 0 – 4,900 feet) Hardiness: Cold hardy to 15°F Jojoba is a long-lived, slow-growing dense evergreen shrub that is one of our most drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant native plants. Thick, leathery leaves grow upward so that only their edges face the sun during the hottest part of the […]
Surrounded By Ancients
“Surrounded By Ancients” Hosted by the Redlands Horticultural Society Thursday, November 19th, 2015 | 7 pm A Presentation by Robin Kobaly | Exec. Director of The SummerTree Institute Thursday, November 19, 2015 7 pm Church of the Nazarene 1307 E. Citrus Ave., Redlands, CA – Assembly Hall off Grove Street church parking lot Free admission ~ Public Invited Many of our desert plants live much longer than us. Learn about some of our incredibly old […]
Plant of the Month – November 2014
Creosote Larrea tridentata Plant Form: Evergreen Shrub Water Use: Very Low Mature Size: 6’ tall & 8’ wide Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Time: Peak bloom Spring & Winter (Nov – May); sporadic rest of year Native to: California, Utah, Arizona, to W. Texas and Mexico below 3,500 feet Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 5°F Creosote survives on its own in the hottest, driest deserts of the southwest US, but when invited into a landscaped setting, this open-branching plant will […]
Plant of the Month – July 2014
Sugar Bush Rhus ovata Plant Form: Evergreen Shrub Water Use: Low Mature Size: 8-15’ tall & wide Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May); fruit Summer (June – August) Native to: California, Arizona, & Mexico (at elevations 3,000 – 5,000 feet) Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 0°F Sugar Bush is a very long-lived, evergreen, aromatic shrub with lush, deep green, leathery leaves that are slightly folded like a taco shell. Maroon twigs and leaf […]
