Gardening in San Jose, California (USDA Zone 9b, Sunset Zone 16).

I try to accommodate plants which:

1) I identify as being native to my area,
2) Produce something edible, or
3) Offer services to beneficial insects.

In category 1, my garden serves up Epilobium ciliatum every year.
It's a small, unobtrusive, native annual.

In category 2, I have purslane (Portulaca oleracea). It covers every
open spot in my vegetable garden area, as it enjoys high heat and
moisture. I enjoy making stews and salads from purslane!

In category 3, I have sweet alyssum (species uncertain, but I think
it's Lobularia maritima). Syrphid flies love this plant, and syrphid
flies control many pest insects. Alyssum is an escaped ornamental
plant. If I lived close to wild land, I might have to pull it out.
But I'm pretty deep in the suburbs, so I let it stay.


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