Under the Solano Sun

Over the years we have had a changing relationship with the neighborhood squirrels. Early on there were not many interactions. The housing development was new and there were not any mature trees nearby.

At last Saturday's plant sale at the UC Davis Arboretum, I bought a Tagetes lucida.

You've probably had a similar experience. You see an interesting plant in a mail-order catalog or nursery website you suddenly desire for your garden. You order it.

This question actually came up last year at the Vallejo Farmers' Market: Nice couple: We went to Hawaii a couple of weeks ago and bought this plant called an Aloha Lily and brought it home; can you tell us how to care for it? Me: It's a what?

Maybe it's just me an ordinary gardener who's growing a little skeptical while getting a bit older.