Subtle Autumn

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Hi All.

In southern California we had a week of rain in October, much earlier than usual for us: December is typically the first month with any substantial rain.

The early rains have already begun to green the hills and usher in the quiet charm of a mediterranean autumn.  Our 'Roger's Red' grape vines are beginning to color nicely, the Toyon berries are reddening, and I'm still surprised by fall-flowering bulbs I myself planted: white narcissi, rose nerines, and lavender crocus are popping up here and there in the garden.

I've taken advantage of the mild weather and moist soil to do a lot of planting, mostly of California native shrubs replacing lavender and cistus that have begun to decline.  

Our garden is decidedly Old World Mediterranean in its style: strongly architectural lines of paths, patios, and pergola framed by rather controlled shrubbery. Now I'm interested in adding native plants, both for their wildlife value and for the sense of connection to this place.

It's an interesting experiment: can I create/sustain an Old World Mediterranean garden using New World California native plants?  We shall see!

On another subject, paths: I'm interested in creating a naturalistic path through a wooded section of garden.  the problem is, I'd like the path to be smooth enough for a wheelchair.  I like the look of broken concrete or uncut flagstone (I have some broken concrete on hand), but set in dirt or gravel, they're just not smooth enough for wheels.  Can anyone recommend a path surface smooth enough for wheels, yet informal-looking enough to feel like a woodland path?

Thanks for any help!

Enjoy the Fall!

-Ben Armentrout-Wiswall

Simi Valley, inland Ventura County

southern California