Category Archives: California Native Garden

Catalina Perfume and other Fragrant Natives

December 8, 2013 2 comments
Anyone who does not take a walk after a rain is missing something. Plants not only have a uniquely clean and radiant look, but many exude sweet fragrances that, on a typical day, are difficult if not...

TreePeople

December 1, 2013 no comments
You might think of TreePeople as an organization whose sole mission is to plant more trees in Los Angeles. While that may have been true when the organization was founded four decades ago, and TreePe...

Oleanders and Their Replacements

November 26, 2013 no comments
Q. I have oleanders that are dead or dying. I am told this is due to the sharpshooter insect and that there is nothing that can be done to get rid of this pest. The plants are about 6-feet-high and a...

Rain Puts Smiles on Gardeners’ Faces

November 26, 2013 no comments
For the nongardening resident of Los Angeles, rain is nothing but a burden. Rain lengthens the daily commute. If you forgot to rake the leaves off your roof, your rain gutters will overflow and creat...

Peruvian Lilies Are Always in Bloom

November 26, 2013 no comments
Q. My Alstroemeria plants in the ground have thrived so far over the winter. They are lush and green but no flower buds. What should I do now to assure blossoms in the spring? Lauralee Oster Chatswor...
Island Oak- Quercus Tometella

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

November 12, 2013 no comments
On a gloomy December day, I found my way to the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks, without expectations or reservations. The garden is large, nearly always open, and admission is always f...

Don’t Forget to Notice the Natives

November 12, 2013 no comments
“Don’t forget to smell the roses” is a piece of advice meant for those who have lost their ability to savor the moment. In a world of rationed water, whose expense increases almost ...

Don’t Forget to Notice the Natives

November 12, 2013 no comments
    “Don’t forget to smell the roses” is a piece of advice meant for those who have lost their ability to savor the moment. In a world of rationed water, whose expense inc...

Millennial Gardens

November 4, 2013 no comments
By now, almost every subject on earth has been discussed in millennial terms, so why not consider the millennial garden? Actually, if you were looking for a location to plant a garden that would last...