A Living Fence of Pyracantha
I’m looking for some kind of bush or shrub or vine that will help to create a security barrier over a 3 foot high chain link fence, that will grow to around 5 or 6 feet or so, will look decent maybe ...
Category Archives: Shrubs
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 ...
Botanical Expeditions with Dan Hinkley
Imagine that you are the director of Heronswood, a fifteen acre botanical garden and, when you come home at the end of the day, you are surrounded by a six and a half acre garden of your own. Both ...
Misting, Elephant Food, Angel Pelargoniums
A heat wave is like a brushfire. If it gets too intense, there is really not much you can do to blunt its force. Once a brushfire turns into a wildfire or major conflagration, all the prudent firesc...
Myrtle is The Perfect Shrub
When it comes to shrubs, the common myrtle is about as close to perfection as it gets. It was not by chance that, for the ancients, its diamond shaped leaves represented the all-seeing eyes of wisdo...
Oleander Leaf Scorch & Oleander Alternatives
The oleanders on our hill are turning brown. I have noticed many in our neighborhood in the same condition. Is there something we can do to save them? Flo Tyler, Woodland Hills Your oleanders (Nerium...
Low Maintenance, Drought Resistant Shrubs
Summer is the season to appreciate the distinctive floral gifts provided by Cassia and Caesalpinia (sez-al-PIN-ee-uh) shrubs. These heat-loving genera are drought-tolerant members of the legume famil...
Hibiscus — All-Time Favorite
This week’s column focuses on two e-mails received during the past month. Q: I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the hibiscus. I own one but don’t know much about it. I wo...
Rose of Sharon is Summer Blooming Treasure
One of the most glorious hot-weather plants is the rose of Sharon. It is only because of our deep-seated prejudice toward deciduous plants that we do not see more of it. When making decisions about w...
Privet is for Privacy
Privet. The word is virtually synonymous with hedges and, although it has no definitive etymology, some linguists maintain that privet is a variation of private. Indeed, privets are typically utilize...
