The other night, late at night, when I was reading a creepy book in bed I kept hearing this strange tapping noise. What the heck? It seemed to be coming from outside… all over outside. It took me a while to realize it was rain. Oh yeah, I remember that sound. That’s when we got Read More…
Category: Southern California
Plant Profile: Desert Willows, Chilopsis Make Good Choices for Fall Planting in Dry Southern California Gardens
Yes, it’s going to be 90 today, but my Favorite Time of the Year is just around the corner! It’s almost time for Fall Planting Season. This is your chance to decide what your personal landscape will look like next year – and how much money you are willing to give to the DWP each Read More…
Wisteria Pods Popping Over My Patio, It Must Be Fall
Here’s a beautiful photo of my wisteria in bloom. I need it to remind me why I love that vine on my patio. After the flowers set seed they turn into giant seed pods. Right about now is when the seed pods dry out and start popping. They explode, sending out four or five seed Read More…
One of My Favorite Parts of Fall in Southern California: the California Native Plant Sale Oct 11 & 12 2008
I just got the postcard today! Admission is free and this comes perfectly timed for Fall Planting Season. This is a great place to find beautiful native plants for your area, even if you have dry shade, full blazing sun or live in a boggy canyon bottom. Plus they always have great food, so I’m Read More…
Liquid Amber Tree Brings Autumn to Los Angeles
I went in search of some leaves changing color for my LA blog just to prove we have Fall in Los Angeles. I knew I could rely on our Liquid Amber trees for a little fall color on this first day of Autumn. In LA Liquidambar styraciflua are used as street trees and a whole Read More…
Plant Profile: Rosemary Herb Plant Growth And Care
Did you know rosemary is drought tolerant? I’ve just added a new rosemary page to my So Cal gardening site where I try to focus on low water plants. Here are a few excerpts for my gardening blog pals: Fragrant rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen shrub. Not only are they wonderful cooking herbs, Read More…
Latest Plant Rescue: Herbs and Succulents
Here’s the newest addition to the family. Plant rescues from the dollar store. None had tags, so I was going by the ‘bruise and smell the leaf’ method (on the herbs). Clockwise from the left are: mint, French tarragon, peppermint, rosemary and in the front a little succulent plant. I think it’s either a beat-up Read More…
Acacia Tree Changes Attire From Yellow Flowers To Golden Seed Pods
Here’s a follow up on the Blooming Acacia Tree posts. Our little flowering tree has now developed seed pods which dried fairly quickly. We’ve been having a heat wave so summer is off to a crackling start here in So Cal. The seed pods are about 2 or 3 inches long and have bumps over Read More…
Blooming Purple And Blue Jacaranda Trees Bloom In Los Angeles
Here’s a pretty picture from Los Angeles for you. I originally posted on my LA blog, but they are such pretty trees I thought you might like to see them too. The jacaranda trees are blooming now, the skyline is turning blue and purple. The streets and yards under these Jacaranda trees are also turning 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…