Adapting to Change

by Cindy Watter

When you have lived in the same place for thirty years, you can accumulate evidence of climate change.  I wish I had written it down while it was happening, but I trust you will believe my anecdote.

Twenty-five years ago, a friend gave me some Japanese anemones she had brought from Arcata. Please note that Arcata has a cooler climate than Napa.  I placed them in the planter strip next to the driveway. I enjoyed their pink bobbing flowers in the fall, even though the season was short. However, the last few years they haven't flourished as well and have been a struggle to keep alive. The weather is hotter and the winds that accompany our fire season have scorched the green foliage several times. In other words, they no longer contribute to curb appeal.

Instead of practicing "shovel pruning," a delightful expression I learned in a UC MG workshop, I dug them up and placed them in my back yard.  It's a less prominent setting than before, so it doesn't make too much difference they have a short bloom season, and the dappled sunlight will protect the leaves from burning. I dug in plenty of compost, cut off the dried leaves, and the anemones are settling in for their winter nap.  It was difficult to remove them, because they were established, albeit in the wrong place, and had sent out runners everywhere. Some anemones have rhizomes, but this one, Anemone huphensis, has underground stems. I am also putting in some earlier flowering bulbs to be companion plants.

In their place, I plan to put scented geraniums, or, more properly, pelargoniums.  I have several I propagated, and they are thriving in large pots in the hottest place in my yard, a side porch that faces south, so they should do well in their new space.  They are green all the year round, and put out small pink blooms that are attractive to bees.  They need very little water, so are perfect for our current climate. It is a solution to my dilemma that costs nothing except for my labor.

I could have tossed the anemone in the compost pile, but they always remind me of my friend, and we've had some years together.   I know they will be happy in their new home.

 

References: sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Plant_of_the_month/Japanese_Anemone

sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Top_Plants_for_Sonoma_County

Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143.  Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.

Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.

Photo credits: Pixy.org, anemone, Pixabay free photo geranium