UC Gardening Blogs

Marilyn's Miracles: Anise Swallowtail Butterflies

If you've ever reared a butterfly--from an egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis to an adult--you...

Pupal cases: a stark reminder that two anise swallowtail butterflies eclosed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pupal cases: a stark reminder that two anise swallowtail butterflies eclosed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A newly eclosed anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, reared by Marilyn Sexton of Fairfield. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A newly eclosed anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, reared by Marilyn Sexton of Fairfield. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ready to fly: a newly eclosed anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ready to fly: a newly eclosed anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Some flight fuel on Agapanthus and off it goes, an anise swallowtail. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Some flight fuel on Agapanthus and off it goes, an anise swallowtail. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 6:20 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

August Miku

First Day of School Begins

Parent and student Apprehension

School Bells are Ringing

ethan first grade 8-7-19

Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 9:19 AM

Author: Mike Gunther

Franklin's Bumble Bee May Be Protected: A Legacy of Robbin Thorp

The late Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at the University of...

Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, with his screensaver, an image he took of Franklin's bumble bee. He passed June 7. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, with his screensaver, an image he took of Franklin's bumble bee. He passed June 7. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 2:51 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

Caladium: easy-grow summer-bloom tuber

Looking to add summer color to a flower pot, window box, hanging basket or along a shaded walkway? Consider planting Palladium tubers in the spring. These plants are grown for their colorful unique foliage — fancy or lance-leafed shapes in “no two are the same” combinations of green and white to red and pink.

What's interesting is that instead of having stems, Caladium leaves sprout directly from the tuber on long petioles. The fancy-leafed varieties are heart-shaped with growth that can reach up to 12 to 30 inches. The lance-leafed types are narrow and elongated, growing less than 12 inches in height.

Caladiums like warm well-drained soil with adequate water when dry. If the soil remains saturated, the tubers can rot. However, once the plants wilt from lack of water or drought, growth is either stunted or ceases. I've discovered that potting soil works best for the dry heat of Vacaville. Also, these plants act more like annuals in my area, despite being listed as hardy to USDA zones 9 and 10. So, instead of lifting and storing the small tubers in the winter, I simply purchase more the next year when they become available.

In their native habitat of Central and South America, Caladiums grow in forested areas near river banks; and when the dry season comes, they enter dormancy. Wherever you decide to plant Caladiums, make sure they receive partial to full shade. During hot summer days, when little else is blooming, you'll be rewarded with beautiful leafed plants strutting a stunning array of “take me away to the tropics” color.

photos by Launa Herrmann

Caladium 2

Flower pot with crysanthemum

Window box

Walkway
Walkway

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 11:23 AM

Author: Launa Herrmann

Assassins in The Garden

A pollinator garden is a study in diversity--and of inclusion and exclusion. The residents, the...

Lying in Wait--An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, lies in wait on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lying in Wait--An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, lies in wait on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gotcha! An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, sucking the juices from prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gotcha! An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, sucking the juices from prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Caught in the act! An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, stabbing a lady beetle, aka lady bug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Caught in the act! An assassin bug, Zelus renardii, stabbing a lady beetle, aka lady bug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Who's next? The assassin bug, Zelus renardii, appears to be looking at the camera after killing a lady beetle, aka ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Who's next? The assassin bug, Zelus renardii, appears to be looking at the camera after killing a lady beetle, aka ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 6:25 PM

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey