Brush Cherry, or Carolina Laurel is a pretty, dependable garden shrub that grows quickly into screens or hedges. These shrubs can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 – 12 feet wide. I have seen mature stands of Carolina Laurel grow even taller. Carolina Laurel is versatile too, growing in full sun to part Read More…
Category: gardening
The Gall On Some Plants, My Orange Tree Specifically
I have a nice sized gall growing on my orange tree. It forms where the rootstock was grafted to the top of the tree. Every year it sends out growth. It has to be removed but there’s a trick to doing it. Here’s my orange tree with a bunch of branches starting on the base Read More…
Yellow Flowering Cactus Pear Blooming
My cactus pear is flowering! I can’t wait for the pears. Here’s a little piece I wrote for my main garden website: Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) are useful in the landscape for dramatic impact, adding a southwestern feel to any landscape. Opuntia cactus also have edible pads and provide the red cactus pears of Read More…
Acacia tree is blooming
Here are a few photos of my acacia. Acacia trees can grow up to 20 feet tall. I planted mine because it is drought tolerant, will cover the back fence (and my neighbor) and they bloom! Beautiful giant yellow flowers. I have heavy clay, alkaline soil and no water. So I was looking for something Read More…
Texas Ranger; Brave Bloomer in Hot Dry Gardens for #FloralFriday
This brave plant currently blooming in 100 degree heat is called Texas Ranger or Leucophyllum frutescens. It is also one of the oddest plants I have grown, but more about that later. After a few years of getting established it is really blooming this year. Most Leucophyllums have purple flowers with more of an open 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…
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…
Free Trees and Discount Garden or Landscape Equipment for Los Angeles Gardeners
There are a few great deals and information out there for southern California gardeners if you know where to look. I’ve dug up a few cool deals for your garden right now. L.A. city and county both have great information about planting native or other drought tolerant plants, composting, and other ways to save water Read More…
Plant Profile: Italian Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens) For Tall Screens In Dry California Gardens
Italian cypress is a familiar staple in the city, the deep, bluish green trees growing along border lines as tall screens. They grow up to 60 feet high on single trunks with a thin, round shape. Plants are generally 1-2 feet wide but mature plants can be much wider. All cypresses prefer full sun, but Read More…
Make Your Own Organic Insecticidal Soap and Keep Your Garden Chemical Free
Make Your Own Organic Insecticidal Soap and Keep Your Garden Chemical Free