Napa Master Gardener Column

A Master Gardener recently visited the Oak Knoll District vineyard of a fellow Master Gardener and saw a rose bush at the head of each row of Cabernet Sauvignon. You may have noticed the same practice in other vineyards in the valley.

The wonderful monarch butterfly has suffered a huge decline all over the United States. Here in California the situation is even worse. Although I have a big stand of milkweed, the monarch's favorite plant, I have not even seen a monarch this summer or fall.

One of my daughter's friends from college co-authored a book, Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, by Noah Siegel and Christian Schwartz (Ten Speed Press).

A few years ago I found a new plant growing in the back of my butterfly garden. It was about three feet tall and had red blooms. Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators seemed to love the plant so I left it alone. The next year it came up again and a visitor identified it as Jupiter's Beard.

I enjoy Amy Stewart's writing style. She informs and entertains at the same time. She has written a number of books about plants, worms and insects but also written historical fiction.