The Mandel Garden, Spring 2020.

by Doug MandelPosted onGardening
Monkeyflower, fescue, and scarlet bugler. D. Mandel.
Left bloomer: monkeyflower, Diplacus sp.; center bloomer: California fescue, Festuca californica; and right bloomer: scarlet bugler, Penstemon centranthifolius. Not in bloom: red buckwheat, Eriogonum grande var. rubescens, by the pot; and compact common California aster, Symphyotrichum chilense 'Point Saint George,' in the foreground. Mr. Zoom, the cat, photobombing on the porch. Photo by Doug Mandel.

The following photos are from cruising around our yard, achieving a mind cleansed of SARS-CoV-2 thoughts.  You see the scenes of the vibrant blooming native plants, but the cheerful spring bird melodies and the fresh spring bouquets wafting through the air complete the sensational experience.  We are so fortunate!   After I capture the moment, the scene shifts to a bluebird singing and darting in and out of her bird house, while I finally attend to the plants that survived years by sending roots out the bottom of their black pots and into more fertile soil.  The ground rapidly hardens beneath the chosen gardening tool, as the days grow warmer and warmer. I know, now is the wrong time to plant, but… -Doug Mandel

Enjoy the following slideshow for a virtual tour of Doug’s garden. Photographer credit for all photos: Doug Mandel.