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…
theGardenPages Gardening Blog
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…
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…
FloralFriday Rosary Plant Flowers Open in So Cal
The flowers have finally opened on my Rosary Plant (crassula rupestris). Woo hooo! I’m excited because not all of my plants bloom every year. This little guy is in a 3 inch pot and it is his second year. I am completely enchanted by these cute little succulent plants. I’ve got them filling in pots Read More…
Acacia Tree Flowering Update
Here are a few photos of the Acacia after the flowers had fully opened up. They are so beautiful! Big, bright yellow flowers, and they smell heavenly! Bees like the blooms too, I’m glad to have them around. We like bees – they pollinate our crops. Read more about the disturbing loss of bees here… Read More…
Color Changing Succulent Plant Aeonium
I love my succulent plants. They change color with the seasons too! Here’s my aeonium. Normally it’s green with a little bit of red on the tips. In winter the centers get creamy white. I have cuttings of this plant sprinkled around the garden – but I can’t remember which ones they are until they Read More…
Daffodil Flowers in Sparkling Waterford Crystal: Friday Floral
Yes, it is January, but I already have daffodils flowering in my garden. I planted these bulbs years ago. We’ve had a little rain here in southern California so they’ve taken that as their big chance to flower. I know we’re still in the dead of winter, but they seem to have their own schedule. Read More…
Blue Flowering Sage with Fiery Skipper Butterfly
This week I have photos of my sage herbs in flower. Not only does it taste great in my sauces and stews, it really looks beautiful in the garden.This Mediterranean native plant has been established for a few years and now lives on rainfall alone.It has tall spikes of blue flowers loved by bees, butterflies Read More…
Brush Cherry; Drought Tolerant Screen Plant Profile
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…
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…