Spectacular spectabilis

This native CA Penstemon spectabilis or Showy Penstemon growing in my front yard embodies how I THRIVE in Ventura County with its exhibition of beauty, creative connection, and resilience. After transforming my home landscape to mostly native CA plants in June 2025, I felt very drawn to photographing them (a new hobby for me),  especially from a close-up point of view.   I like to imagine what a hummingbird or butterfly might see. Photographing this flower made me feel a sense of invitation, calm, wonder,  and joy!  Alongside fellow community members from kids to retired adults, while volunteering at the Santa Monica Mountains Satwiwa/Rancho Sierra Vista Native Plant Nursery,  I learned a great deal about the importance of CA native plant propagation and how restoring their landscapes and planting them at home supports all of us from the plants themselves, to  their companion plants and to the multitude of creatures they support. Penstemons support hummingbirds, bats, birds, bees, caterpillars and at least 13 species of butterflies. Like most native plants, this Penstemon spectabilis is very resilient,  and once established requires very little water. The plants in my yard help me with my own resilience because going outside to observe them and to notice their seasonal changes is part of my daily mindfulness practice helping me THRIVE!