Fiery Skipper Butterfly (Hylephila phyleus)

Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus - male) on Guadalupe Island rock daisyThe warm temperatures of spring throughfall bring many butterflies to Southern California gardens.  From the large and dramatic Western TigerSwallowtail to the miniscule Pygmy Blue, their bright colors and interestingbehavior add much to our warm season gardens. Butterfly-watching is enjoyed by...

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California Gourmet: Preserving Summer Berries (Strawberries; Bramble-berries; Currants; Huckleberries; Rosehips and more)

Golden currant (Ribes aureum): one of our tastier native berries Anumber of native berry fruits come ripe in summer.  Many have singular flavors that trulyrepresent the ‘taste of California’; their flavors work well in many types ofrecipes.   Included are the native strawberries(Fragaria species), currants andgooseberries (Ribes species), roses (rosehips...

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