I just discovered this listing and wish more LA people would use it. I'd like to hear about what's blooming where. The blue asters in my area (E. Fel) are not yet in bloom. Last year was fantastic. We had about 5 acres that were gorgeous. Cardinal flower is finishing here. Ironweed too. Boneset (or some white-flowered Eupatorium) is in full bloom. MIstflower just now at max bloom. Goldenrods and their companions (Baccharis) are about to explode with color. The Folsom NPS sent a newsletter last month with a nice bloom list. We had a good crop of bees this year. They give my hummers a hard time at the nectar feeders.

I haven't seen Spring Beauties yet, but the henbit is blooming some as are dandelions. The early daffs are up 4-5 inches too. And in the front flower bed, the hellebores have been blooming for a couple months. Haven't seen many bees or butterflies or moths, but we've had a plague of flies this year. About a month ago, we cut and burned brush on a warm day--almost 60--and there were flies everywhere.

looks like an allium of some kind. Does it smell of onion when you cut the leaf?

It's probably Stachytarpeta. I have two varieties of Veronica and this plant looks very different. My Veronica is starting to go to seed and this plant is just starting to bloom. Individual stems, multiple from each plant center, grow up to 2.5 feet tall with a single 'plume' that starts to blooms one tiny flower at a time along the stalk similar to liatris blooms. The leaves are round and scalloped. No, not a vine. Very stately. Thank you for your help.