Amaryllis belladonna are fascinating flowers. They bloom straight out of the bare ground on tall stalks. Their flowers are large and dramatic, shaped like trumpets about four inches long. They smell wonderful and can perfume a room on a hot summer day. They bloom in late summer or early fall. The leaves are on a Read More…
Author: Laura Z
Gardener in sunny SoCal
Amazing Aechmea; Unique Urn Plant Pink Prickly Posies
Can you identify this photo? No, these are not the tendrils of a sci-fi monster, or the top of a giant pink bug. Anticipation has been crackling in the air over here since this aechmea flower was discovered emerging from one of the urns in my silver urn plant. It was a few years ago Read More…
Delicate Flowering Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia for Hot Weather Gardens
Here in Los Angeles, the Crape Myrtle Trees begin blooming around April and are still in bloom now in July, despite the 100 degree heat wave. These perennials are known for their beautiful clusters of flowers that look like crinkles of crepe paper. Colors come in bright white, dusty pinks, neon reds onto pink and Read More…
Three Quick, Easy Shade Ideas to Keep Plants From Burning in Hot Summer Gardens
During the heat of summer even plants who like full sun may need a little break. If it has been in the 100’s for a few days, like it has here in Southern California, the plants will be starting to show the stress. Your first impulse may be to water them more. Sometimes that helps Read More…
Growing Kalanchoe for Drought Tolerant Gardens or as House Plants
You may not think of kalanchoes as succulent plants, but they are. Kalanchoes are another member of the Crassulaceae or Stonecrop family. They are reliable dry garden bloomers known for their bright flowers. Most varieties are perennial and evergreen, making them perfect candidates for my hot, dry landscape. Their flowers bloom in small bouquets of Read More…
You Say Aeonium I Say Echeveria Succulent Plant; It Is Blooming For #FloralFriday
Here is an update on the flowing succulents in my garden. My Complete Book of Cactus and Succulents volume is telling me this is an aeonium haworthii and even includes a photo. Most of the aeonium succulents I see have flat leaves and tend to look like a plate on the end of a stick. Read More…
Flowering Lavender Herb Plants in My Sunny, Dry Southern California Garden
Here is one of my favorite plants; lavender. I have two French lavender plants growing in my garden. Both have been flowering for months now and both have proven to be extremely drought tolerant and beautiful. Even lavender leaves are sticky with essential oils and perfume the air. I use the flowers and leaves for Read More…
Hopseed Bush Or Dodonaea Viscosa, Fast Growing Drought Tolerant Screen Plants for So. California
I have been profiling a number of drought tolerant, fast growing screen plants lately and Dodonaea belongs on the list too. These lacy shrubs are also called Hop Bush or Hopseed Bush after their seed pods that resemble hops. Hop Seed bushes come with leaves in either bright, lime green or dark purple. Both versions Read More…
Santolina Or Lavender Cotton Tough Drought Tolerant Shrubs With Yellow Flowers
Of all the flowering drought tolerant shrubs I have planted in my garden I count santolina, or Lavender cotton, as one of the best. This is a real tough customer when it comes to being completely drought tolerant in my hot, baking southern California garden. They tolerate full sun and summers that can reach over Read More…
Aeonium And Crassula Tetragona Succulent Plant Flowers
A few of my succulent plants are flowering out in the succulent patch. First is my Aeonium. It is one of the many plants called Hens and Chicks. I’ve written about aeonium before and I even have one that changes colors with the seasons. These succulent plants slowly form clumps a foot or more around Read More…