Growing Money Trees Can Make You Rich
Money Tree = Jade Plant You might think the idea of a money tree started in ancient times yet all evidence points to it being a rather recent concept. Some say that the money tree is a jade plant (C...
California Natives
If you are passionate about growing California natives, you might want to consider moving to Canyon Country, located in the Santa Clarita Valley. “I moved up to Canyon Country in 1987,” wrote Jim Van...
Northfolk Island Pines & Flame Vines
They are the most distinctive and unforgettable trees in Southern California gardens and landscapes. Unlike palm trees, which also have an exotic look, there are not so many of them as to become bor...
‘Ballerina’ Rose & Hollyhock
I’m in love with a ballerina — a ‘Ballerina’ rose, that is. ‘Ballerina’ is a hybrid musk rose and hybrid musks, for reasons beyond comprehension, are seldom seen in the nursery trade. Hybrid musks ar...
California’s Worst Weeds
If there is one daily activity that unites the human race above all others, it’s weeding. Most people on Earth still grow at least some of the food they eat and, in order for their seeds to grow into...
Gardenias in Southern California
If you see yellow foliage on your gardenia bush and, after trying everything to ameliorate the situation, still see yellow and, even worse, fear that your plant may soon be ready for the compost heap...
Monocarpic Plants
For those of you who are into botanical trivia, see if you can answer the following existential (having to do with life and death) question: What do carrots, radishes, lettuce, agaves, fishtail palms...
Garden Design Basics: The Hardscape Makes The Landscape
Turning an untamed jungle into a habitable outdoor space may take years, especially when you do the work yourself. But if you have a vision of orderliness and a simple color scheme, you can slowly f...
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...
Biological Pest Control Made Simple
Biological control of undesirable garden pests is the desirable way to go Biological control is a garden management tool that encourages natural processes by bringing one living organism into the ga...