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6AM City In-house

Our natural beauties 🌿

Native plants in San Jose, CA
A bush of silver lupine flowers.
The silver lupine has four different varieties around California. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
We live in an area that was popularly known as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” in the 1920s — and our land was abundant with orchards, flowering trees, and plants. Despite many of them being transported into Santa Clara Valley to be planted, our land has had its fair share of native crops.

California’s native plants are deeply rooted in the history of the Golden State — and it’s no different in San Jose, where we have over 150 plants native to our valley.

With that, here are three no-fuss, native plants that thrive in the great 408 — and would look great in your yard. 🪴

(Psst: The following plants can be found at Capitol Wholesale Nursery, Inc. and Linda Vista Native Plants.)

🌱 Silver lupine

Water needs: Can thrive with low moisture
Sun needs: Keep fully in the sun

These purple beauties bloom in spring to early summer, and are very low maintenance. Be aware, they are toxic to dogs and cats — so keep them where your furry friends aren’t.

A close-up picture of the common yarrow flower.

The common yarrow is a frequent component in butterfly gardens.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

🌱 Common yarrow

Water needs: Water ~1 time a week, keep at low moisture
Sun needs: Can grow in full sun, full shade, or partial shade

This fast-growing flower was once used by Native Americans for pain relief, fever reduction, and blood issues. It is most active during the spring and attracts a fair amount of bees + butterflies.

A close-up picture of bush monkey flowers.

Bush monkey flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and bees.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

🌱 Bush Monkey Flower

Water needs: Water a maximum of once monthly
Sun needs: Place in partial to full sun

The name of this award-winning plant comes from its shape + colors that mimic a monkey’s face. It’s great for growing in rock gardens or on stone walls.

Want to know more about these native plants around San Jose? Check out CalScape, a resource from the California Native Plant Society.
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Monday, Feb. 20
  • San Jose Sharks vs. Seattle Kraken | Monday, Feb. 20 | Times vary | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $25+ | Watch our Sharks bare teeth at The Tank.
  • Trivia Night | Monday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave., San Jose | Free | Grab a team of up to six at this weekly multimedia trivia event hosted by local comedians.
  • Off Nite | Monday, Feb. 20 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., Ste. 200, San Jose | Free | Guests join hosts Mighty Mike McGee and Ato Walker to share deets about events + shows in San Jose.
  • SJ Jazz Winter Fest Official Hang & Jam Session | Monday, Feb. 20 | 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. | Mama Kin, 374 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Jump into jazz with the SF-based performer and teacher who has his own jazz group, the Strong Move Quartet.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
  • Pow Wow Song & Dance Classes | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose | Free | The Indian Health Center hosts lessons to inspire cultural pride and connection.
  • My Fair Lady | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Times vary | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose | $38+ | Follow Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.”
Wednesday, Feb. 22
  • Jeff Leeson | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $25 | With over 50 million views of his stand-up clips online, this comic is quickly becoming one of the most requested acts in North America.
  • Kassa Overall | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 9 p.m. | SJZ Break Room, 310 S. First St., San Jose | $30+ | This musician melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and hip-hop.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
NEW WEEK, NEW EVENTS

Weather
  • 68Âş | Partly cloudy | 2% chance of rain
Closing
  • Plant shop Astraea Foliage announced that it will close its location at Winchester Boulevard indefinitely. Due to increasing costs, the shop has decided to take a break and plan for future business endeavors. However, it is offering 50-70% off storewide until its closure at the end of the week — so show them some love. 🪴
Featured
  • Pre-Hispanic Mexican Cuisine food truck was recently featured by KQED for its specialty in Indigenous Mexican cooking. Chef Jesus Varguez started the truck in 2021, bringing pre-colonial ingredients and flavors to the South Bay. See where you can try his al pastor Yucateco, at the official Instagram page. 🌮 (KQED)
Sports
  • The San Jose Giants have announced their 2023 season promotional calendar, starting with their opening night match on Thursday, April 6, against the Fresno Grizzlies. Enjoy Friday night fireworks, pregame clinics, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and more. Get details on the official website. âšľ
Community
  • Get ready for this year’s 5th Annual San Jose Day, being held on Saturday, April 8, 12-6 p.m., at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. The cultural event is looking for musicians, dancers, poets, food trucks, and craft vendors to be a part of the celebration — get in contact to be included; applications close Wednesday, March 1. 🎪
Today Is
  • Presidents Day. City of San Jose offices are closed today, but city-wide waste collection will continue as normal. Today, we celebrate George Washington’s birthday and honor those who have served as President of the US. 🇺🇸
The Word
  • Baño. That’s Spanish for “bathroom” — something you’ll definitely need to know if you’re traveling to Central or South America this year, like 12% of our readers. Babbel’s easy, bite-sized lesson plans will ensure you know what to say when you have to go. (Read: Be talking like a local in as little as three weeks.) 🌏 *
Shop
  • Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. đź‘š *

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City

Who is Blanca Alvarado?
Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, Omar Torres, and Peter Ortiz pose with former Santa Clara County Supervisor Blanca Alvarado.
Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, Omar Torres, and Peter Ortiz pay Blanca Alvarado a visit. | Photo via @pmopronto + @peterortizd5
Last week, Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, Omar Torres, and Peter Ortiz paid a visit to one very important San Josean.

Blanca Alvarado, also known as “La Madrina” to East Side residents, is a longtime community activist, former city council member + city commissioner — and San Jose’s first Latina vice mayor.

After being elected to city council in 1980, Alvarado represented the East Side for 14 years, while also serving as vice mayor for two terms. She then went on to fill the seat left vacant by Zoe Lofgren on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 1996, becoming the first Latina chairperson. 🏛️

Outside of the boardroom, she championed the founding of the Mexican Heritage Plaza. She also worked to change the name of San Jose’s Plaza Park to Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez; she previously partnered with the civil rights activist to create the Community Services Organization. 🤝

As well as advocating for communities of color, she chaired for the Valley Transportation Authority, was active in preserving + securing funding for green spaces, and most recently, launched the environmental justice campaign to close Reid-Hillview Airport in 2018.

At 90 years old, Alvarado continues to be a prominent voice for the San Jose community, and of course, shares her wisdom with the council newcomers.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: Craving King Cake in time for Mardi Gras? Word on the street is that Ashy Aromas is celebrating Fat Tuesday tomorrow, Feb. 21, with free King Cake beignets + Mardi Gras beads from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This opportunity is only available to the first 50 guests who RSVP, so be sure to save your spot.

Missed the last newsletter? We shared ways you can spread kindness in the community.
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Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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