California Native Ground Covers

This spring’s flowers – there are just so many of them — cannot be compared to those of any spring in recent memory. Perennial plants native to dry climates – and most of the woody and herbaceo...

Red Monkey Flower

Red monkey flower (Diplacus puniceus) is an evergreen perennial that you ignore all year long for the sake of its arresting spring bloom, although it may flower on and off throughout the year.  Water...

White Rockrose Shrub

This white rockrose (Cistus x hybridus) has a symmetrical, spherical growth habit.  Once shrubs of this rockrose grow together, they make a nice 2-3 foot tall hedge.  The only maintenance concern is ...

The Glorious Orchid Rockrose

Here’s a magnificent plant.  Orchid rockrose (Cistus x purpureus).  A Mediterranean plant.  Water thrifty.  Foliage fragrant when crushed.  Needs no water other than winter rain.  Ideally suite...

Bells of Ireland and other Delights

For years, I had seen bells of Ireland in seed and plant catalogues – at least before plant catalogues, much like daily newspapers, became an endangered species. Every time I saw its picture, I imagi...

Tequila Farmers

“Is the life of an Agave lengthened if its flower stalk is cut off early?  I noticed that the blue tequila agave farmers in Mexico keep them trimmed off.” Tom Gearhart, Valley Village That’s an excel...

California’s Perpetual Drought

Note:  the following was written in February, 2018.  Last April, California’s governor declared, “The drought emergency is over,” but already, less than a year later, in the middle of a warm, dry win...

Autumn Beauties & Chewing Gum Plant

The bristling heat of this past summer may have finally given way to cooler autumn days, yet two plants continue to make a determined display of blazing orange flowers, reminiscent of the sun. In fac...