Bay laurel, or laurus nobilis is a drought tolerant perennial tree native to the Mediterranean region. The fragrant, leathery leaves are dried for use as a cooking herb and in the pantry. Other names for this aromatic plant with deep green leaves are Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel or Roman Laurel. Mature Grecian Laurel trees flower Read More…
Category: plant profiles
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…
Plant Profile: Ethereal White Sage Blooms Add Grace to Southern California
California White Sage (Salvia apiana) This beautiful shrub is native to Southern California and Baja. It is usually found growing wild in the coastal sage scrub habitat on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The books say it will grows five feet tall (at least) and 5 feet across, but I have Read More…
Plant Profile: Crassula Capitella Another Color Change Plant
Here’s another succulent plant in my collection that changes color. This is Crassula capitella, sometimes called Crassula erosula. This succulent has also been called Red Flames or Campfire Plant. It has bright, lime green leaves with flaming orange red tips. It gets tiny white flowers on upright stalks in early spring. When grown in shade, Read More…