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Camellia – Colonel Firey

Spectacular, formal, dark red blooms that are very large in size brighten the garden from winter to mid-spring. Flowers make a great contrast with the glossy, dark green foliage. A prized plant for milder regions. Evergreen. Bloom TimeWinter through mid-springDeciduous/EvergreenEvergreenSpecial FeaturesNon-toxic to Cats and DogsGrowth RateSlowGrowth HabitUprightFlower AttributesFlowers for Cutting, Showy FlowersLandscape UseBorder, Container, EspalierDesign IdeasThis sharp red camellia deserves …

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Gazania

South African Gazania flowers are a vibrant addition to any garden. Their striking, daisy-like blooms come in a variety of colors, making them a favorite among gardeners. Here’s a detailed guide to help you care for and maintain these beautiful flowers. Gazania flowers are native to South Africa and thrive in sunny, warm climates. They are known for their drought …

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Cape Mallow – Strybing Beauty

When it comes to adding a touch of elegance and vibrancy to your garden, Anisodontea ‘Strybing Beauty’ is a plant that should be on your radar. Also known as the Cape mallow, this evergreen shrub is not only a visual delight but also a low-maintenance addition that can bring year-round beauty to your outdoor space. Appearance and Growth Anisodontea ‘Strybing …

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Rancho San Antonio OSP

black tail deer

Rancho San Antonio is one of the Bay Area’s most popular parks. On a nice summer day there’s a continuous stream of people on the main road to Deer Hollow Farm, and even on the challenging 8-mile PG&E Trail there’s a group of hikers or joggers every 1 or 2 minutes. It’s often said that the park is overcrowded, but …

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Western Gray Squirrel

squirrel eating sunflower

The western gray squirrel was first described by George Ord in 1818 based on notes taken by Lewis and Clark at The Dalles in Wasco County, Oregon. The bad news is that in a forty-house area around my home, I am dinner central: fruit, then tomatoes then sunflowers. I have a lawn and about 50 pots perfect for squirrels to …

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Sunnyvale Liquifaction Risks

This map shows the likelihood of liquefaction in Northern Santa Clara County during a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the northernmost segments of the San Andreas Fault. This earthquake is similar to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. At each location, the map predicts the approximate probability that shallow wet sands will liquefy and cause surface manifestations of liquefaction such as sand …

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Sunnyvale Heritage Tree – Murphy Park Valley Oak

heritage valley oak in murphy park

Quercus lobata, the valley oak, grows into the largest of North American oaks. It is only found in California, growing in the hot interior valleys and foothills. Mature specimens may attain an age of up to 600 years. This deciduous oak requires year-round access to groundwater. Sunnyvale still has several prominent and venerable valley oaks. The Spanish gave it the …

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Bewicks Wren

bewicks wren

If you come across a noisy, hyperactive little bird with bold white eyebrows, flicking its long tail as it hops from branch to branch, you may have spotted a Bewick’s Wren. These master vocalists belt out a string of short whistles, warbles, burrs, and trills to attract mates and defend their territory, or scold visitors with raspy calls. Bewick’s Wrens …

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Sunnyvale Landmark – Collins-Scott Winery

collins winery

Built in 1881 by the Collins brothers, the Collins-Scott Winery is the oldest brick building in Sunnyvale. In 1889 a private railroad spur was built on the property and more than 300 gallons of wine were shipped daily. In 1927 all of the buildings except the brick distillery were destroyed by fire. In 1965, the present owers, the Duane Heinlen …

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C. J. Olson Cherries

Spring in the Olson cherry orchard. Before it was Silicon Valley, it was the Valley of Heart’s Delight. Ten million fruit trees in 1910, most of them prunes. The Olson family and their orchards are a link to the family farms of the past century. The Olson’s were Swedish immigrants who settled in 1899 in Sunnyvale, before it was a …

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