Welcome to Mamabotanica Blooms! I’m Joan Stevens, aka Mamabotanica. This is our home and the site of my flower farm, started in 2018. Before I started growing flowers, I was a botanist, Master Gardener, permaculture teacher, and a humble student of the plant world. Growing flowers opened my heart to the healing power of beauty. My business is my effort to explore thrivelihoods –local businesses that help create the conditions for a beautiful future.
2. The Driveway might not seem like a place to garden but I’ve found ways to make it work! Being tight on space has forced me to find creative solutions. Container growing is possible for many cut flower plants. The roses would be happier in the ground, but they will survive and flower in 5-gallon pots. Part of what makes this possible is the thick mulch that creates soil beneath and between the pots. Some of the potted plants here (many for sale!) include roses, Pineapple Lily (Eucomis), Sedum (Hylotelephium), Amaryllis, Peruvian Daffodil/Spider flower (Hymenocallis), and Chrysanthemums. This is also where I’ve experimented with container vegetable gardening. The grow tower isn’t my favorite but the raised beds have been great! **Continue up the driveway and next to the garage.**
3. Walking along the garage you can see that what I’ve tried to grow without irrigation. On the right of the path, there are several Kaffir Lilies (Civia miniate). One of the few plants that bloom in deep shade. On the left under the Kumquat tree, a Ribes sanguineum ‘Claremont’ makes hanging pink flowers in early spring. The succulents on the right started as tiny 2” pots. The Hens and Chicks (Aeonium) seem most happy. Where The irrigation manifolds and hose bibs provide more moisture for mint, astilbe and a few other experiments. You will see along the left of the path some Little John Azalea with the deep brown purple leaves. In the understory are hellebores, some coleus, and lilies. **Continue up the bath to the backyard to see where most of the cut flowers are grown.**
4. The Northernmost part of the yard is the location for beds for annuals. On the right (East) on the kids play structure, Cup and Saucer vine (Cobaea scandens), Flame grape, and Hops compete for sun and space. The back fence was intended as stone fruit espalier but kids and life kept that from happening (espalier requires a lot of attention). Instead, we now have a squirrel gymnasium rather than fruit. Live and learn! The flower beds grow a variety of annual plants that I flip from cool season (currently growing) to warm season after Mother’s Day and again in October. Plastic crates were for narcissus and tulips. Narcissus grows in full sun, but Tulips require the dappled light on the North side of the garage. If you’d like to know more, I offer a class on my website “Growing tulips and narcissus in warm climates”. **Head West and move toward the house.**
5. The black circular fabric beds are growing Mums and the green square bed had ranunculus. Roses are growing along the West wall to get full morning sun with an understory of hellebore, iris, gladiolus, and other flowering plants. As you walk on the grass lawn you may see hellebores, peonies, lilies, and a variety of other plants growing in the beds on either side. The fountain is surrounded by a Japanese Maple, several Camellia’s (thanks Nuccio’s!), and leather leaf fern. Head to the patio and grab a delicious treat from Yvonne! You might see the flowering wands of Heuchera’s planted in the shade of the patio or Coleus and ferns growing in pots under beloved old Oak Tree. **Shop for baked goods and plants before you head back to the front yard (and the back side of the brochure)**
6. You made it out of my backyard plant jungle! If you would like to see my Proteas (extremely drought tolerant Australian natives) and our Ice Cream banana grove, they are on the West side of the house. My neighbor said it’s fine to walk up the front of their driveway for a better view. The median has varieties that are drought tolerant and good for cut flowers. They include:Dutch and Bearded Iris, Rice Flower, Wax flower, CA Currant (Ribes), Lisianthus, Pitcher sage, Perennial Basil, Giant Squill, Monkeyflower, Roses, Hellebores, Tree Anemones, and many more! ** Please stay in touch!** *Sign up for my newsletter and get free planting guides for cool and warm season flowers!*