Supervisor Foley promises transparency on $500 million Dana Point Harbor reno

• April 29, 2023

Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley said she wants the surrounding community, those who rent boat slips, business operators and visitors to the Dana Point Harbor to feel confident the remodel inked in a lease agreement by the county in 2018 is moving forward in a transparent way and that the massive overhaul will be completed by 2026.

To help, she hosted a town hall this week with the three developers who make up the Dana Point Harbor Partners that was attended by at least 250 people – most of whom are boaters. Matt Miller, the county’s chief real estate officer, was also there.

During the event, Foley discussed renovation phases, obstacles and the increased slip rates. She also talked about an oversight committee that is being formed.

“I’ve gotten emails and calls from people who are feeling like they’re not heard and want to know what’s going on in the harbor,” Foley said, adding that she is intent on making the process transparent to the public, including posting documents, approvals and other information related to the harbor’s progress on her website. “It will take a bit of time because people feel like the county and Dana Point Harbor Partners have not been transparent and haven’t been open about financing and phasing.”

Joe Ueberroth, of Bellwether Financial Group, is handling the marina part of the project; Bryon Ward, president of Burnham Ward Properties, is heading up the development of the harbor’s commercial core; and Bob Olson, of R.D. Olson, is expected to build two hotels once entitlements from the California Coastal Commission come through. At a July meeting, the commission is expected to look at the proposed affordable surf lodge and boutique-style hotel.

Under the public-private partnership, the developers are expected to design, fund and build the improvements, then operate those portions of the harbor through the life of the 60-year lease before returning the property to the county. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Harbor Patrol building and docks are not part of the partners’ lease.

Boaters moved into the first new docks recently completed and the demolition on the next phase of docks is expected to start in May.

Foley said Ward assured her the planned three-level parking structure that is needed for the much more retail space that will be created as well as boater and visitor parking will break ground in January. The structure was first expected to break ground in January 2022, then in June 2022, then in January 2023.

The delay has been in getting the correct permits from the water district, not an issue of financing as some have speculated, Foley said.

“They have to show proof of financing before each phase of development,” she said. “We’ve got to keep the project moving forward. We’ve been on the phone with the water district and we’ve been outreaching to Dana Point and the Coastal Commission to make sure the project stays on track; otherwise, the cost will keep growing.”

When the renovation was first discussed in 2018, the projected cost was estimated at $350 million; recently, Ueberroth said the number has grown to closer to $500 million, in part due to the change in the economy and higher interest rates.

During the town hall, many boaters repeated their frustrations over slip increases announced in 2021 before renovations in the marina began.

A group has filed a lawsuit in court, arguing the higher costs are not in compliance with the Tidelands Act because they allege they would limit public access. Uebberroth has called the argument baseless and said there is no violation, adding that the rate continues to be below the market for the region.

Foley called the slip increase “too high”  and said she’s requested details from the Tidelands fund to better understand the flow of revenue.

“If I had been supervisor then, I’d have advocated for a stepped-up process,” she said.  “You can’t catch up overnight. We should have had a phasing so people would be comfortable with the pricing.”

She said the new oversight committee that will be assembled with probably seven people by mid-May will address the slip rates and look at options for grants as well as ask U.S. Representative Mike Levin for funding.

“If we can get offset funding to reduce the overall cost of the project, we can get some fees reduced,” Foley said, adding that keeping the harbor accessible is important.

“When (Foley) came to the first meeting, people peppered her with questions about the boat slips and progress; then, at this meeting, you could see she did her homework,” Bob Mardian, who operates Wind & Sea Restaurant and Harpoon Henry’s in the harbor. “I have confidence in her drive for transparency.”

Related links

Here’s what the $450 million renovation of Dana Point Harbor will look like
Dana Point wants public input for what the coastal town should be like in the future
Street, plaza in Dana Point Harbor to be renamed after Don Hansen, who inspired its whale watching industry
Marina construction will begin in West Basin for first phase of $330 million Dana Point Harbor renovation
Dana Point Harbor marina redevelopment gets green light from Coastal Commission

Mardian said he remains a bit leery of promises the developers have made, while also recognizing some of the real challenges they face with the project. For example he said a rising water table is likely complicating planning for the parking structure.

In the meantime, Mardian said both his restaurants have been doing well during this limbo time. Like other harbor tenants, he’s now on month-to-month leases for both spots. He’s been told with the renovation, he said, the entire Mariners Village will come down, and Harpoon Henry won’t be rebuilt, but Wind & Sea will continue in the new harbor.

Anne Eubanks, who is president of the Dana Point Boaters Association, said she is skeptical the harbor overhaul can finish in the timeframe being discussed – by 2026 – given the time it has taken so far and the need to fund such a large project.

“I will believe it when I see it,” she said.

Foley said she remains committed to the new harbor and moving it forward.

“The phasing has been amended and the completion deadline in 2026,” she said. “If they don’t complete it, then there will be fines.”

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

CIF-SS softball playoffs: Pairings and schedule for all divisions

• April 29, 2023

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

DIVISION 1

Wild-card round

Tuesday, May 2, 3:15 p.m.

A: Gahr at La Serna

B: South Torrance at Riverside Poly

C: Corona Centennial at South Hills

D: Westlake at Huntington Beach

E: Roosevelt at Beaumont

F: Villa Park at Chino Hills

G: Bonita at Pacifica

H: Camarillo at Mission Viejo

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Winner A at Norco

Winner B at Esperanza

Winner C at Murrieta Mesa

Winner D at Torrance

Winner E at Orange Lutheran

Winner F at Oaks Christian

Winner G at La Mirada

Winner H at Los Alamitos

DIVISION 2

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

El Segundo at Moorpark

Saugus at Redondo

Agoura at Anaheim Canyon

Warren at JSerra

Marina at Segerstrom

California at Notre Dame/SO

Great Oak at Arcadia

St. Anthony at Ayala

Hart at North Torrance

Vista Murrieta at Don Lugo

Tesoro at Valencia/V

Glendora at Millikan

Valley View at Temple City

Yucaipa at Grand Terrace

West Torrance at Whittier Christian

Royal at Rio Mesa

DIVISION 3

Wild-card round

Tuesday, May 2, 3:15 p.m.

A: Hemet at Diamond Bar

B: Crescenta Valley at Kennedy

C: Fountain Valley at Sonora

D: Sierra Canyon at Santa Margarita

E: Rancho Cucamonga at Culver City

F: Beckman at La Canada

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Winner A at Cypress

Charter Oak at Aquinas

Etiwanda at La Quinta/LQ

Louisville at Capistrano Valley

Sultana at Ramona

Winner B at Quartz Hill

Los Altos at Cerritos

Winner C at St. Paul

Winner D at Sunny Hills

Arlington at Diamond Ranch

Corona Santiago at Oak Hills

Orange Vista at Cajon

Lakewood at El Toro

Winner E at Norwalk

Bishop Amat at Western Christian

Winner F at Aliso Niguel

DIVISION 4

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Buena at Burroughs/B

Paloma Valley at Chino

Alhambra at El Dorado

Canyon/CC at Woodbridge

ML King at Coachella Valley

Long Beach Poly at Mira Costa

Palm Desert at Summit

Fullerton at San Jacinto

Oak Park at Dos Pueblos

Santa Fe at Elsinore

Burbank at Fillmore

Hillcrest at Indio

Rio Hondo Prep at Highland

Arroyo at Foothill

Oxnard at Flintridge Sacred Heart

Long Beach Wilson at Schurr

DIVISION 5

Wild-card round

Tuesday, May 2, 3:15 p.m.

A: Lancaster at Paramount

B: Apple Valley at Mark Keppel

C: Grace Brethren at Alverno Heights

D: Westminster at La Quinta/W

E: Twentynine Palms at San Jacinto Valley

F: Ontario Christian at Shadow Hills

G: Southlands Christian at St. Bonaventure

H: Banning at Colton

I: Covina at Barstow

J: Kaiser at Lindfield Christian

K: Knight at Bellflower

L: Northwood at Capistrano Valley Christian

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Irvine at Calvary Chapel/SA

Winner A at Hawthorne

Ocean View at South El Monte

Winner B at Santa Clara

Winner C at Santa Paula

Winner D at Providence/B

St. Monica Prep at Vasquez

Winner E at Silveradeo

Winner F at Liberty

Faith Baptist at Viewpoint

Winner G at Duarte

Winner H at Paracelte

Winner I at University Prep

Winner J at Santa Rosa Academy

Winner K at Anaheim

Winner L at Garden Grove Santiago

DIVISION 6

Wild-card round

Tuesday, May 2, 3:15 p.m.

A: Downey Calvary Chapel at Western

B: Nordhoff at Sierra Vista

C: Academy Academic Excellence at Granite Hills

D: Harvard-Westlake at Artesia

E: Mayfield at Riverside Prep

F: Monrovia at Savanna

G: Garey at San Bernardino

H: Loara at St. Joseph/Lakewood

I: Beverly Hills at El Monte

J: Canyon Springs at San Gorgonio

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Winner A at JW North

Winner B at Coastal Christian

Winner C at Acad. Careers & Exploration

Nuview Bridge at Bloomington

Winner D at Lennox Academy

Leuzinger at Ramona Convent

Winner E at Notre Dame/R

Valley Christian/C at Edgewood

Winner F at Costa Mesa

Winner G at Bethel Christian/R

Winner H at Hamilton

Moreno Valley at Glenn

Winner I at Cantwell Sacred Heart

AB Miller at Azusa

Winner J at Sacred Heart L.A.

Immaculate Heart at Village Christian

DIVISION 7

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Desert Christian Academy at Ontario

Valley Christian/SM at Animo Leadership

Rubidoux, bye

Santa Ana Valley at Cal Lutheran

Hueneme at Flintridge Prep

Los Amigos at Mesa Grande

Estancia at San Gabriel Mission

Baldwin Park at Oakwood

Crean Lutheran at United Christian Academy

Hawthorne MSA at Bishop Conaty Loretto

Pacific at Hesperia Christian

Public Safety Academy at Tahquitz

Maranatha at Desert Christian/L

Mountain View at Loma Linda Academy

Citrus Hill at Arroyo Valley

Ganesha, bye

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

NFL draft: Chargers select TCU WR Derius Davis to start Day 3

• April 29, 2023

The Chargers started Day 3 of the NFL draft by giving quarterback Justin Hebert another weapon from Texas Christian.

Two days after taking wide receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round, the Chargers used the 23rd pick of the fourth round to select fellow Horned Frog receiver Derius Davis on Saturday.

“I went to Quentin’s party … I saw him get drafted,” Davis said on a media call. “We’ve been friends for quite a while, since we got to TCU. To have that relationship with him and being able to keep on playing with him, it is truly a blessing. I’m speechless right now.”

While he was second on the team to Johnston with a career-best 42 receptions for 531 yards this past season, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Davis showed his value on special teams.

Davis won the Jet Award as the nation’s top return specialist, averaging 20.43 yards per kick returns and 14.89 yards per punt return, and was one of just five players with two punt returns for touchdowns.

“My game, as a returner, I always tell people that I’m explosive. Me personally, I feel like I get the party started,” Davis said. “At TCU, there were times where we didn’t have any points on the board and I was the first one to score during my return, so I feel like I’m a party starter. Hopefully, I can do that for the Chargers. I know I will do it for the Chargers. I’m just blessed to be a Charger. It’s just a blessing.”

The speedster, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine, came up with five receptions for a season-best 101 yards in the 65-7 CFP national championship game loss to Georgia on Jan. 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium.

Davis finished the season with eight touchdowns – five receiving, two on punt returns and one rushing.

In other Day 3 picks:

The Chargers took Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden in the fifth round. The 6-foot-2, 303-pounder was a three-year starter and team captain for the Tigers. Though the two-time All-ACC player lined up at both tackle spots, McFadden could see more time as a guard for the Chargers.

More to come on this story.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

CIF-SS boys and girls lacrosse playoffs: Pairings, schedule for all divisions

• April 29, 2023

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS LACROSSE PLAYOFFS

DIVISION 1

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Agoura at Loyola

JSerra at Trabuco Hills

Crespi at Palos Verdes

Los Alamitos at Santa Margarita

St. Margaret’s at Foothill

Sierra Canyon at Mater Dei

Mira Costa at Westlake

Servite at Corona del Mar

DIVISION 2

Wild-card round

Tuesday, May 2, 3:15 p.m.

A: Peninsula at Harvard-Westlake

B: St. John Bosco at Redondo

First round

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Huntington Beach at Corona Santiago

West Ranch at Crescenta Valley

San Juan Hills at Temecula Valley

Winner A at Beckman

Winner B at Oak Park

Great Oak at Saugus

San Clemente at Vista Murrieta

Yorba Linda at Aliso Niguel

DIVISION 3

Thursday, May 4, 3:15 p.m.

Santa Monica, bye

Corona at Long Beach Wilson

Paloma Valley at Dos Pueblos

Village Christian, bye

Viewpoint at ML King

Long Beach Poly at Linfield Christian

Northwood at Valencia/V

Chaminade at Royal

Woodbridge at Canyon/A

Damien at Oaks Christian

Millikan at El Segundo

Cate, bye

Roosevelt at University

El Dorado at Downey

San Marcos at Brentwood

Crean Luthern at Riverside Poly

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS LACROSSE PLAYOFFS

DIVISION 1

First round

Monday, May 1, 3:15 p.m.

Mira Costa at Foothill

St. Margaret’s at San Clemente

Edison at Redondo

Santa Margarita at Marlborough

DIVISION 2

First round

Wednesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.

Murrieta Mesa, bye

Yorba Linda at Valencia/V

Corona Santiago, bye

Los Alamitos at Mater Dei

Peninsula at San Juan Hills

Village Christian, bye

Woodbridge at Canyon/A

Crescenta Valley, bye

Oak Park at Dos Pueblos

Chaminade at Royal

Newbury Park, bye

University at Corona del Mar

Newport Harbor at Beckman

West Ranch, bye

JSerra at Vista Murrieta

Palos Verdes at Culver City

DIVISION 3

Wild-card round

Monday, May 1, 3:15 p.m.

A: Millikan at Roosevelt

B: Northwood at Paloma Valley

C: Huntington Beach at San Marco

D: Orange Lutheran at El Toro

First round

Wednesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.

Winner A at Portola

Heritage at Tesoro

Long Beach Wilson at Santa Monica

Winner B at Cate

Winner C at Riverside Poly

Simi Valley at ML King

Winner D at Downey

Chaparral at Dana Hills

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Orange County softball standings: Final 2023

• April 29, 2023

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Final Orange County high school softball standings for 2023

TRINITY LEAGUE
League
Overall

Orange Lutheran
12-0
21-5

JSerra
7-5
17-10

Santa Margarita
4-8
15-11-1

Mater Dei
4-8
13-14-1

Rosary
3-9
11-15

SUNSET LEAGUE
League
Overall

Los Alamitos
11-1
24-3

Huntington Beach
10-2
22-5

Marina
8-4
20-7

Fountain Valley
6-6
16-11

Edison
5-7
15-13

Newport Harbor
2-10
7-18

Corona del Mar
0-12
2-19

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE
League
Overall

Aliso Niguel
7-1
22-4

Tesoro
5-3
14-7-1

Mission Viejo
5-3
14-13-1

San Juan Hills
2-6
5-15

Dana Hills
1-7
7-11

SEA VIEW LEAGUE
League
Overall

El Toro
8-1
12-8-1

Capistrano Valley
6-3
20-6

Trabuco Hills
3-6
14-11

San Clemente
1-8
3-18

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE
League
Overall

Woodbridge
11-1
15-7-1

Irvine
10-2
16-10

Beckman
7-4
13-10

Northwood
7-5
10-7

Laguna Hills
4-8
8-10

Portola
0-9
1-11

University
0-10
0-11

CRESTVIEW LEAGUE
League
Overall

Esperanza
7-2
19-6

Canyon
5-4
17-10

Villa Park
3-6
17-11

El Modena
3-6
14-13

NORTH HILLS LEAGUE
League
Overall

El Dorado
6-3
14-13

Foothill
6-3
18-10

Yorba Olinda
4-5
8-18

Brea Linda
2-7
9-16

GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE
League
Overall

Segerstrom
9-1
12-14

Ocean View
8-2
17-6

Garden Grove
4-6
13-9

Westminster
4-6
13-12

Katella
3-7
10-12

Godinez
2-8
11-16

FREEWAY LEAGUE
League
Overall

Sunny Hills
9-1
14-6-1

Sonora
6-4
11-11

Fullerton
5-5
19-6

La Habra
5-5
12-15

Troy
4-6
11-12

Buena Park
1-9
8-12-1

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE
League
Overall

Santiago
9-1
12-6

La Quinta
8-2
11-6

Loara
7-3
8-9

Los Amigos
4-6
8-8-1

Bolsa Grande
2-8
4-14

Rancho Alamitos
0-10
2-15

EMPIRE LEAGUE
League
Overall

Cypress
9-1
19-3-1

Pacifica
8-2
19-8

Kennedy
7-3
15-9

Crean Lutheran
3-7
12-10-1

Valencia
2-8
7-16-1

Tustin
1-9
1-12

ORANGE LEAGUE
League
Overall

Anaheim
10-0
14-7-1

Savanna
8-2
10-12

Western
5-5
6-10-1

Santa Ana Valley
4-6
9-6

Magnolia
3-7
3-13

Century
0-10
3-25

ORANGE COAST LEAGUE
League
Overall

Calvary Chapel
10-0
11-10

Costa Mesa
8-2
14-3

Estancia
6-5
10-8

Santa Ana
5-6
11-14

Orange
2-8
3-11

Saddleback
0-10
4-17

​ Orange County Register 

Stagecoach 2023: Guy Fieri, Jon Pardi toss barbecued turkey legs to hungry fans

• April 29, 2023

Guy Fieri kicked off his shows at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival on Friday, April 28 by throwing swag into crowds including items like baseball caps and water bottles.

Then things got interesting.

The Food Network star took it to another another level this year at the Indio event with the help of Friday Mane Stage performer Jon Pardi. They tossed a couple of turkey legs slathered in barbecue sauce to their hungry fans.

“What a hot mess,” Pardi observed after he tossed the first one.

Fieri has become a fixture at the festival in the last five years with his freewheeling cooking demonstrations that pull in headliners from the festival’s Mane Stage. There is only a waist-high wooden railing between them and their fans. The demos give firstcomers the opportunity to get close to their idols and a little bit of free food.

Crowds have been packing in at least 12 deep for the shows, although most are too far back for any personal interaction.

When Fieri came on board in 2018, his main role was to curate a food tent featuring barbecue from throughout the United States. He also made appearances with pitmasters in an area within the tent set up to look like a backyard barbecue.

Fieri added headliners to the mix in 2019, making Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse a place to be seen. Pardi sought out the experience, telling the Southern California News Group last fall, “Man, Guy is awesome. I would definitely do some barbecue with him.”

This year, Fieri looks more like a star attraction in his own right with a larger tent for barbecue concessions and a larger performance space on one end. It is flanked by two giant screens and even his own DJ spinning classic rock during and between shows. The same space is used to house the Indio Central Market during Stagecoach’s big sister fest, Coachella.

The setup included a barbecue pits tended by members of Operation BBQ, a relief organization that feeds victims of natural disasters. They can be seen hanging pork ribs from hooks above burning charcoal. The aroma is picked up by misters turned on the audience, infusing the damp air with smoke.

Fieri is working from a wooden deck in front of a commercial kitchen trailer painted like camouflage and emblazoned with his logos. On the first day, he made his appearance carrying a bag of Kingsford charcoal into his work area.

Fieri is doing three shows a day, and he set the tone at the start of the first one on Friday, an exceptionally hot day with temperatures going well above 100 degrees.

“This is not going to calm down, is it,” he observed. “It’s just going to get hotter and drunker.”

The shows typically last about 15 minutes, but they have been running long. Fieri kicks them off by honoring military, veterans and first responders. During the latest show on Friday with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Fieri handed band members cups of tequila and raised a toast.

The early shows are devoted to pitmasters, who share their tips for dry rubs and roasting meat. For the other two shows, Fieri drafts musicians into helping him build outrageous foods. Pardi, who claimed he prepped for the experience with tequila shots, was tasked with rolling an oversized burrito made with smoked turkey.

“I’m from Northern California,” Pardi said. “I know how to roll.”

Fieri sliced up the burrito and Pardi and his band handed out samples to some of the people leaning on the rail. After taking quick selfies, they looked around in bewilderment because the pieces didn’t come with forks.

Most of the free samples are easier to handle. When the shows end, a crew comes out with trays of sliders and crispy chicken wings accompanied by most towelettes.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

How to keep these drought-tolerant flowers fertilized

• April 29, 2023

Q. I have yellow Gazanias in my backyard. They are doing well, but I would like to know of the proper fertilization schedule for them. I left them alone for the last three years, then I fertilized them with Miracle Grow in March, they look great — do I repeat that process during the summer or leave them alone? I have been told not to fertilize Lantana very often, but at least the New Gold variety has responded well with fertilizer about every three months. Is that correct or overdoing it?

Gazanias are probably the least demanding flowers for our climate. They tolerate drought and heat (once established), sandy soil, and spread readily. They don’t take cold very well and will turn black if exposed to frost. They flower profusely throughout the summer if exposed to enough sunlight. If you find that they look better after a light application of all-purpose fertilizer, I see no harm. I wouldn’t apply more than once per summer since nitrogen-rich fertilizer encourages leaf growth over flowering.

Lantana, likewise, is drought and heat tolerant and requires little care once established. It rarely needs fertilization – only lots of sun and good drainage.

For any established California-friendly perennials, a yearly application of compost in the spring, infrequent but deep watering, and good drainage are all that’s required. I also recommend organic mulch to protect any surface roots, retain soil moisture, and keep weeds at bay. Occasional pruning may be required to keep the size manageable.

Q. When should I thin the fruit from my peach trees? They just finished flowering.

Soon. Wait until the petals fall and you can easily see the little fruits. Ideally, start thinning when the fruit is about the size of a pea. Remove all doubles first, then leave 6-8 inches between individual fruits. Remove more fruit from the branch ends to reduce stress on the tree structure. Do this in several passes because you will inevitably miss a branch or two.

If you miss the boat and don’t get to this task until the fruits are an inch across (or bigger), it still is beneficial to thin immature fruit. An overloaded tree can break in half, which is a bummer for both you and the tree.

One year, we missed thinning a couple of major branches of one of our peach trees. Once the fruit started sizing up, the whole branch bent down to the ground but didn’t break. We removed about 90% of the fruit and hoped for the best. Even after harvesting the rest of the peaches, that branch stayed bent down to the ground. We didn’t want to remove it, so we looped a bungee cord around the main trunk and the wayward branch. This exerted just enough constant pressure to coax the branch back to an upright position. By the end of summer, it was good as new!

Los Angeles County

[email protected]; 626-586-1988; http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/

Orange County

[email protected]; 949-809-9760; http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/

Riverside County

[email protected]; 951-683-6491 ext. 231; https://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/

San Bernardino County

[email protected]; 909-387-2182; http://mgsb.ucanr.edu

​ Orange County Register 

Why this wildflower plant guide is what every gardener needs

• April 29, 2023

The National Audubon Society’s “Wildflowers of North America” (Knopf, 2023) is a tour de force in the realm of plant guides. Full-page profiles of more than 850 species are included, each of which features up to six or more opulent photographic close-ups. This is a book to be savored, plant by plant, page by page. Remarkably, the $39.99 book is available through online vendors for $31, an incredible bargain if you ask me.

I was fascinated to learn that there is a California native spurge known as wild poinsettia or fire-on-the-mountain (Poinsettia cyathophora). The bracts that surround its tiny flowers are not solid red like those seen on the holiday poinsettia but red at the base and otherwise green. Snow-on-the-mountain (Poinsettia marginata) is another notable spuirge. Its tiny bracts are green in the center but surrounded by wide white margins. I once saw a manicured hedge of this species in front of a house in Atwater Village; it left an indelible impression on me.

There is a map of North America beside each plant where you learn whether it is native, introduced, or rare, depending on its location in North America. The highly recognizable fragrant water lily, for example, is native to the eastern US and Canada, rare in central Canada, and has been introduced to California and the West. “Introduced” means that, while non-native, it can be found growing in the wild and, in some cases, has been classified as invasive. For water garden enthusiasts, it is worth noting that the yellow Rocky Mountain pond lily (Nuphar polysepala) is a California native.

Speaking of water lilies, I learned from this volume that they are among the oldest plants on Earth. The Audubon Society chose to organize species according to their appearance on the evolutionary timeline and water lilies are in the first group of plants (Nymphales) presented in the book. They are followed by other moisture-loving species, proving that plant life, like that of animals, originated in an aqueous environment.

Paintbrushes (Castilleja spp) are fascinating species. They are hemiparasitic which means that although they make their own food through photosynthesis like any other plant, their roots seek out the roots of other plants; they penetrate these foreign roots, absorbing water and minerals that they find there. The roots of nearly any plant will support paintbrush growth, although plants that share their habitat, such as Artemisia species, will be the most suitable hosts. You can even grow paintbrushes in containers as long as you plant potential hosts for parasitic roots along with them.  

The ubiquitous white or Dutch clover (Tifolium repens) is a Eurasian species that has been introduced throughout the US and often pops up in lawns. Trifolium repens means “three-leafed creeper,” a moniker that aptly describes its look and growth habit. We read that “the leaves and flowers of this plant, high in protein, have been used by some people as a food source.” Be take care: Upon further investigation, I found that while consuming white clover in small quantities is fine, exaggerated clover consumption can be toxic to your system. 

Longing for a green carpet to cover an unplanted expanse in my backyard that was once a lawn, I scattered white clover seed last fall. I neglected the advice regarding pre-treatment of an area destined for seeding, whether you are planting grass, clover, or wildflower seed. That advice is to thoroughly soak the area and wait for weeds to emerge. After several weeks, you remove sprouted weeds and then plant your seed. 

However, I did not follow this advice and scattered the clover seed without previously soaking the area, not thinking that too many weeds would appear. I was wrong and after a few weeks of watering the clover seed, the area was covered in weeds with barely any signs of clover visible.  There were dandelions, sow thistle, and lesser swine weed, but predominantly chickweed. I knew, however, that clover was aggressive once it started to grow and I thought that if it ever did take off, maybe it would squelch the weeds. Well, I must report that by mid-March the clover was growing like gangbusters and was slowly engulfing the weeds, which have virtually vanished by now. I had planted the clover at the high end of the recommended rate (two pounds per thousand square feet) and, by April, it had reached six inches in height.

I really love my clover. It is lush green and will never need fertilizer because, as a legume, it makes its own nitrogen with the assistance of Rhizobium bacteria that live in its root nodules. It owes its strength to roots that grow two feet deep and stolons or runners which trail along the ground, rooting as they go. Stolons, by the way, are the structures by which Bermuda grass and strawberries propagate themselves asexually or clonally. Clover lawns have thrived in Los Angeles during the past few years of water rationing and have no problem staying lush with two weekly irrigations or less in hot weather. 

The drawbacks to clover are its sensitivity to heavy foot traffic and its flowers which attract bees. However, when flowers appear, you can mow clover down to a height of three inches, which will eliminate the flowers. Keep in mind, however, that bees and other insects that visit clover can be useful in pollinating your fruit and vegetable crops. And you never need to mow clover at all if you are content with its six-inch height and gum drop-shaped white flowers. Clover stands out in being more shade tolerant than any lawn grass and not being affected by dog urine.

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California native of the week: If you like yellow, scatter seeds from a packet of Hooker’s evening primrose (Oenothera elata), one of the selections on display in “Wildflowers of North America.” No plant grows more readily from seed than this biennial. I promise that if you are diligent in keeping the soil moist – from germination until seedlings grow into robust young plants – you will be richly rewarded with scads of butter-yellow blooms, growing on stems that may reach six feet in height. Although needing consistent moisture to establish itself, evening primrose is highly drought tolerant once it matures. This evening primrose, so-called since its flowers open up after midday and whither the next morning, blooms heavily all summer long and drops its seeds prolifically so that some consider it weedy, although its seedlings are easily pulled from areas where you do not want it to grow. California evening primrose (Oenothera californica) is a deciduous perennial that is not at all weedy and has the aspect of a ground cover, growing two to three feet wide but reaching a height of less than six inches.

If there are any wildflowers of note in your garden, please send your wildflower story to me at [email protected] where your questions, comments, and plant photos are always welcome.

​ Orange County Register