Alyssum and lobelia

This combination of white alyssum and blue lobelia is growing very prettily in a dappled-shade area under a decorative bench at the edge of a path.

Fullerton Beautiful Garden Tour, 2011

Two photos from this year's garden tour sponsored by Fullerton Beautiful.

Wildflower garden

A very charming front garden in the Preservation District of Fullerton. Included are California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and mountain garland (Clarkia unguiculata), both California natives.  Mountain garland -- the tall pink ones here -- are also known as elegant clarkia.

April showers

April sky

After a storm

Pink jasmine

Pink jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum, is an evergreen vine with dense clusters of star-shaped flowers, white on the inside and rose-pink on the outside, from beautiful rose-pink buds held upright, from February to July in Sunset zones 22-24 (a little later in colder areas).  The scent is heavenly, rather perfumy and exotic.

The vine can grow up to 20 ft. (6 m), in sun or partial shade.  This particular vine is growing in a rather unforgiving western exposure, with no regular water.  Sunset notes that J. polyanthum can be grown as a climber, a ground cover, or in containers -- here in Southern California it is usually to be seen climbing on fences or trellises, but would make an interesting ground cover, although in Australia and New Zealand at least, it is regarded as invasive, as it roots easily from stem material.