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Garden Club The autumnal equinox promises a change of seasons in many places but not at Four Seasons. Apollo's chariot drags the sun across the skies lower in the horizon allowing its rays to penetrate below awnings and tree leaves. This low sun can burn plants that have survived summer's overhead sun but no longer benefit from overhead shade. Cooler nighttime temperatures can be interrupted by HOT-DRY Santa Anna winds blowing fiercely off our eastern deserts. Gardeners are tempted to reduce water and fertilizer in September, but here at Four Seasons the growing season continues well into autumn. Critters are busy harvesting their winter supply of food while annual plants are disbursing seeds for next year's crops. One of the visitors to our gardens in late summer is the California Dogface Butterfly. Designated as the state insect of California 1972, its endemic range is limited to the state. California was the first state to choose a state insect and thus, to choose a butterfly though most of the other states have now followed, and many even have both a state insect and a state butterfly. California Dogface Butterfly is also known as the Flying Pansy. The male California Dogface Butterfly often feeds on lavender. The female California Dogface Butterfly often feeds on Lantana. The California Dogface Caterpillars prefer clovers and other plants in the pea family. The California Dogface Butterfly adult will feed on Sages, Lavender's and Thistles, Lantana and plants in the Manzanita family. All these plants are found throughout Four Seasons. Due to schedule conflicts and waning enthusiasm the Garden Club is now dormant. New leadership is needed by several homeowners willing to devote time and energy into preparing meetings, corralling speakers and handling administrative tasks associated with these meetings. In the meantime this column will continue to offer insights into gardening here at Four Seasons. The California state insect was featured in a 1976 commemorative postage stamp. ~ Leonard Tavernetti CLUBS & GROUPS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2013 37