Spring Gardening Update: Monkeyflower, Margarita, Monarch & Much More

07 May, 2025

I know, I know; it's been a while. I haven't done a proper gardening update since summer. Spent the winter watching for eagles. However, I did a little gardening over the winter and have been doing more now that it is spring, so this post will recap what's been happening in the Courtyard!

I'll grab a bag of peanuts. This is gonna be a long post.

Part 1: What's new this spring

Hosta

I got this hosta because looking at it made me feel like I got into a time machine and became a dinosaur in prehistoric times. It reminded me of the primeval exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden. It likes the shade, so I put it on the doorstep from my room to the Courtyard, which is North-facing.

Date planted: April 22

It has already grown several leaves in the past couple of weeks!

By the way, here's an actual photo I took last year of the primeval exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden, so you know what I'm talking about when I say it makes me feel like a dinosaur:

Green and lush

Rawr!

Fuchsia 'Bella Lisa'

The fuchsia I planted last year has grown so much and is now blooming again! So I got another one, a Bella Lisa variety to join Candy at my door.

Date planted: April 22

So many little buds starting to appear already! I may need to plant Lisa in a bigger pot soon.

And here is a current view of Candy:

The Botanic Apartments Remodel 3.5

Back in the beginning of December, I remodeled the Botanic Apartments, but never updated with a post (bad me). So let me flashback a bit before I bring you up to current events.

In December, I did yet another remodel with new residents. Lettuce (Romaine and Buttercrunch), Arugula, Little Finger Carrots, and Dill all moved in.

Date planted: December 9

I also moved the Botanic Apartments from the Courtyard to the Deck for two reasons. One, the Bunny Brigade can't attack, and two, for more sun.

IMG_1050A Plotting Courtyard domination

A few days later, I transplanted the salvias from September, to an Apartment level for deeper soil.

Date transplanted: December 11

All the residents were happy all winter.

The Carrots started a school on the first floor that gathered many students.

Date harvested: April 2

Then, as as the weather started to warm up, our residents decided it was time to bolt.

April 23

It was time for another update – version 3.5 – which brings us almost to today. Well, a couple of weeks ago.

New residents moved in: Romaine Lettuce and Kale (two varieties).

Date planted: April 23

The tower is still under construction.

Oh, but I did realize something: there is one tower tier that still has original residents! The chives, thyme, and parsley from the first construction of the tower are still going! The chives, particularly, have been cut and eaten many times and are growing strong.

Here they are today, hanging out in the VIP section (just in a spot that gets more afternoon sun than the lettuce and kale are currently getting):

Next to them is a basil I got from the market and planted in this pot:

I can't remember exactly when I planted the basil – probably a couple of months ago. I remember I was getting a pizza at the market and got the basil to put on the pizza.

Charlie Brown Basil

I picked up this sad basil from the market back in December. It reminded me of the Christmas tree in Charlie Brown's Christmas. I had to take it home. Here is how it looked when I got it:

December 8

And here it is now:

May 5, 2025

I really enjoy finding the plants that no one else will take and helping them grow strong and happy.

Dahlias

My mom brought me a bag of Dahlias back in January. I planted about half of them then and the other half in early April.

Both began emerging from the ground last month. Here are a couple on the slope:

May 7

(That purple salvia in the middle is from the tower. I transplanted all of them to the slope when I did the most recent remodel because they were outgrowing the Botanic Apartments.)

Bush Monkeyflower and Margarita BOP Penstemon

I picked these two up from the California Native Plants section at my local nursery.

Date planted: April 24

I'm excited to create a garden that benefits native wildlife. As I have learned so much about gardening in the past year, I have learned how important pollinators are to our entire ecosystem. They are beautiful creatures that deserve good food sources, and we can provide that by planting native plants.

Within a few days of planting, the Margarita started to form stunning blue/purple flowers and within two weeks, the Monkeyflower formed beautiful yellow/orange flowers!