cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/1775366

Our analysis suggests planned adaptation—stewardship that facilitates changes in forest structure and composition to improve alignment with projected climates—is needed alongside the expanded use of beneficial fire, even in some forests where fire was historically infrequent.

Here’s a gray-area plant that I recently received as a gift. Hastily handed to me, bareroot, after sitting in a hot car for a few hours, they were barely hanging on. I plopped them in pots, watered them well, and set them in a mostly shady area (~4 hrs of afternoon sun). The gifter had no idea what they were.

After about 2 weeks of life support they’ve now bloomed and revealed themselves to be Sweet Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis longiflora) native to the Southwest of the US and northern Mexico. A preliminary “is this invasive” search led me to find that they are not, but they’re closely related to Wild Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis nyctaginea) which are on the WA state noxious weed list.

They grow 4-5’ tall and wide and prefer loose and loamy soil (ha) and fairly consistent moisture. They supposedly bloom in the afternoon through morning and are always bright and cheery first thing in the morning when I rush out to water my pots before scrambling to work.

For the next few weeks they’ll be staying in pots and once our new patio cover is done I’ll probably plant them along the posts. That way I can keep on eye on them for bloom times, pollinator activity, and seeding/spreading aggression. We’ll see how they hold up to our northern climate. With their trumpet-shaped flowers, I suspect the hummingbirds will be thrilled if they thrive.

It’s a niche geographic location but contains millions of people. Come over to see some photos, ask some questions, or learn about our temperate rain forest, what little remains of it, and what you can do to preserve it and help it adapt.

I spent a fair amount of time learning under a well-known native conservationist in the area, as well as working with a few university reps and some organizers of local organizations, and the general consensus I got of the area is:

native is relative to conditions. Plants move around to find ideal conditions and that has changed since when we started keeping track. Global warming is also a factor of plant movement. Species ranging from Northern California to north-western Mexico are really adapted to the conditions we have here now and shouldn’t be ruled out as plantings in the interest of keeping a local healthy flora.

Upvote to Agee to this consensus of the PNWNatives page or Downvote to Disagree.

Supporting role: sword fern

At least for a few minutes. Then he jumps up and does the “fire drill”, frantically rolling around in the shaded grass to get the heat off him. Truly the orange cat of dogs.

If anyone has an ID on these little orange butterflies, I’d be eternally grateful.

I created this community for everyone that has a passion for their PNW native flora, wants to learn more, or just wants to share their experiences.