Chasmanthe

The first Chasmanthe bloom of 2008. Right here, smack dab in the middle of Sunset zone 14. Sunset says it grows in "Zones 13, 15-24". Why not 14? (Too lazy to look it up right now) Chasmanthe aethiopica. Though it is pretty, and certainly a cheery sight for winter weary eyes

it rather makes me gasp at the thought of having to mow it all down before it becomes a ginormous fire hazard in the summer months.

There is a LOT of it. In fact, if it were all gathered together, there is at least an acre of it on this 2.5 acre plot of land.