BOTANICALS: White alder

BOTANICALS: Bailey's acacia

Although relatively short-lived, Bailey's acacia can be a positive change to your landscape.

General: A. baileyana, commonly known as Bailey's acacia or fern leaf acacia, is a round-headed tree with a wide canopy composed of pendulous branches. It does not tolerate blustery winds or sustained below-freezing temperatures. In its habitat, the plants grow under the canopies in eucalyptus forests, where they are protected from damaging overhead and lateral winds. Because they grow in temperate climates, they need adequate soil moisture to withstand extended periods of drought or heat. Most acacias are short-lived, about 15 to 20 years.

Size: The tree grows about 30 feet tall and spreads to 40 feet wide.

BOTANICALS: Heavenly bamboo

What makes this plant special is the color it provides in the garden during all four seasons of the year.

General: Associated with the genus Nandina, it's not a true bamboo but a member of the Berberidaceae, or barberry family. Its origins are China and Japan. The plants are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Both are needed for cross-pollination for the development of berries. They tolerate drought, cold and heat, but they prefer protection from the wind.

Size: The plant grows to about 6 feet tall.

Find your way in Mineral King

Every national park contains two kinds of hiking trails: Those that appear on the map, and those that don't.

More often that not, the ones that don't are infinitely more interesting.

Those were the thoughts that sprang to mind earlier this month while trying to follow an old miner's route up Mosquito Creek during a three-day backpacking trip to the Mineral King region of Sequoia National Park. Since most of the century-old trail has long since vanished, we picked our way up the heavily forested drainage by following old tree blazes and small rock piles called cairns that were placed by fellow hikers.

Fishing Report: Week of June 24

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

BEST BETS

Reedley small farmer thinks big

REEDLEY -- Rob Mizuno is a small-scale farmer growing fruit in a big way.

On six acres, Mizuno has densely planted about 2,000 fruit trees that produce more than 160 different varieties.

From May to November, Mizuno supplies his Bay Area farmers market customers with a steady supply of everything from old-time favorites such as the yellow flesh O'Henry peach to hybrid varieties including the pecotum, part peach, plum and apricot.