Tag Archives: Andrew’s Clintonia

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May is such a beautiful time of year on the Mendonoma coast. On a drive down Highway One a few days ago, Rick and I saw many Pacific Rhododendrons blooming along Salt Point State Park.

Pacific Azaleas are blooming now too. Martin Steinpress photographed these along the Salal Trail, a public access trail on The Sea Ranch.

And the big, splashy Andrew's Clintonia is blooming in shady forests. Andy Moore recently photographed this one. You can see a yellow Redwood Violet in Andy's photo too.

Another of my favorite native wildflowers is blooming now too, Coast Lily.

Today, Sunday, we are having spectacular weather. The wind has died down and temps are up. Yes, it is a beautiful time of year here on the coast.

Thanks to Martin and Andy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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One of our most dramatic wildflowers, Andrew's Clintonia, has begun blooming in all its glory. They are members of the Lily family and can be found in shaded forests. Rozann Grunig recently photographed one.

Andrew's Clintonia by Rozann Grunig

Rick and I have one blooming in our forest that is over two feet tall. Its red blooms are quite dramatic against the Redwood tree behind it.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see Rozann's photography, here is her website: www.Highway1Designs.com

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Andrew's Clintonia, Clintonia andrewsiana, is a lovely member of the Lily family. They grow in shaded forests. We have a few on our land in Anchor Bay and we cherish them. This Clintonia is about a foot and a half tall.

 In the summer, if a Deer doesn't eat the flower head, the flowers turn into blue berries. Rozann Grunig photographed this Clintonia last year. It's other common name is Blue Bead Lily. Now you can see why!

This is another wildflower that should never be picked. The flowers need to develop into these seeds. They will fall to the ground and, if they find a nurturing spot, will take root. They are very slow to develop. We have several "babies" and, even after ten years, they aren't big enough to flower.

Thanks to Rozann for allowing me to share her photo of the blue berries.

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Warm weather has followed the rains and wildflowers are already putting on quite a show. A walk on a coastal bluff could bring visions of exquisite beauty.

And forests have their share of wildflowers too. False Solomon Seal just began blooming. It's a member of the Lily family.

And here is an emerging Andrew's Clintonia, Clintonia andrewsiana, also called a Red Clintonia, It too is a member of the Lily family and, if the flower isn't eaten by a Deer, the beautiful blossoms will bloom the first of May.

It is absolutely lovely here today on the Mendonoma Coast.