Very few plants will grow beneath redwood trees. I guess it’s because of the acid they add to the soil. As it happens, we have seven redwoods in our backyard. We had nine, but due to overcrowding we were forced to cut down two of the trees. It was pretty heartbreaking, but at least we got a good deal from the tree guy because we let him sell the lumber.
Our redwoods are maybe fifty feet? As tall as a four-story building? These first two photos were taken from our second story balcony, the third from our basketball court.
Looking up at our redwoods.
More redwoods.
From the basketball court.
When we were hiking in Mendocino, we discovered a plant that grows beneath redwoods, a plant that loves redwoods - Redwood Sorrel - Oxalis Oregana.
Redwood Sorrel.
The only place that had Redwood Sorrel was the Botanical Garden at UC Berkeley and it just so happened this past Saturday was their annual open-to-the-public plant sale. Off we went! We purchased six plants. Redwood Sorrel is considered an invasive plant so we’re hoping six will be enough. We are patient people. We can wait if it takes a few years to fill in.
My husband also bought a Venus Fly Trap because he thought it was cute. It is kinda cute. Now it gets to sit in my kitchen near my kitchen sink and eat fruit flies. Yay!
Our very own Venus Fly Trap.
On the way home we stopped for sunch or maybe it could be called lupper or sinner or maybe linner. You know, something to eat between lunch and supper that fills you up.
I had a chili relleno burrito without rice and a Mexican coke. Hubs had a chicken asado burrito with rice and a Dos Equis Amber. Yum! Plus fresh chips and salsa.
If you’re ever in Napa, be sure to stop at Villa Corona for some of the best Mexican food around. Their Huevos Rancheros are outstanding, but I’m required to issue a warning- if you order the Camarones Diablos - OMG! They ain’t kiddin’ when they say Diablos! Hotter than hell!
Villa Corona burritos.
Other Napa Native favorites?
Red Rock Backdoor Barbecue and Burger Joint on Lincoln. Tanya’s Taquiera on Jefferson. Quinto Patio Taquieria on Kilburn.
Hope your weekend was excellent.
Oh, by the way… when we let Jake off leash on the backside of the park this weekend? He took himself off on a Lord of the Ring’s-type quest to find the mountain lion. Boy was it hard to coax him down from the ridge he managed to climb!
Great post, love the Redwoods and YAH, you now have something that will grow in their shade, well found. Lunch sounds wonderful, We have a Portuguese chicken restaurant chain in the UK, Nandos who use piri piri seasoning , the hot is very hot, I like it……. but Ishbel always chooses the non marinaded type, bless
Hope Jake doesn’t find the Mountain Lion though, it would be messy I guess
xxxxxx
Tell Jake no mountain lions!
We could use a Venus Fly Trap in our house.
A straight glass with apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a touch of wine attracts and drowns the flies too. I can usually hide it behind something too - that way it is not a grotesque on my counter.
Mmm, burritos…
Your posts inspire me to attempt doing something with my front yard again. No sun, pine trees and deer who love the taste of flowers. I am just not enough of a gardener/landscape to think of easy solutions. But I’m going to try one more time this year. Wish me luck.
Tell hubs, if the Venus flytrap starts saying, “Feed me, Seymour,” run!
Those burritos are making me hungry! And yes, I need that Venus Fly Trap as well.
Now, what’re you gonna do if Jake brings back a magic ring?!
AD xx
Well, AD, I’ll take that ring to Mount Doom, of course! And definitely toss it into the fires! Our Venus Fly Trap has already caught 2 flies!
Good luck, Jaye! Yes, if you visit a redwood forest there’s not much on the ground. Just big trees! I’ll tell him, but the flytrap is still a teeny little baby… awwww, so cute!
I’ve done that, Stephanie, and yes, it does work! Beer works as well. Yesterday he caught a regular fly. Cool!
I’ve told him, Amber. He’s determined to see him up close and personal.
Oooh, Tom I love piri piri seasoning! But I can understand Ishbel’s reluctance. I hope the mountain lion has the sense to climb a tree. I suspect he or she will. What is that saying? Retreat is the better part of valor?
I didn’t know that about Redwoods. We have two Junipers, a big one and a small one. The small one is dying. When I asked, I was told Junipers kill everything that grows in its root system, so the small one is doomed, as is the cottonwood about forty feet away. I love the Venus Fly Trap.
Oh Stephanie, poor baby juniper! Redwoods love each other but they keep most stuff away from the roots.
You have redwoods. That is too cool.
Oh yes, Sandra, there are redwoods all over Napa.