Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are in a slightly different category of tree. Most other trees provide shade whereas Japanese maples require shade. Most can take some morning sun, but afternoon shade is much appreciated in our hot summers. There are numerous leaf sizes, shapes and colors as well as many tree sizes and forms (far…
There are both fruiting and non-fruiting olives. Since the fruit is known to stain, do not plant fruiting varieties over patios, driveways or any other paved area. Olives are very tolerant of heat and can take poor soil, but will do much better in deep, rich soil. They need little to moderate water, are slow growing and…
Large trees grow about thirty feet or more. Most are deciduous, but one of the notable evergreens is Quercus agrifolia or coast live oak, a very common sight in our area. Amongst the deciduous choices are Liquidamber, Morus alba (mulberry, particularly the fruitless type), Pistacia chinensis (Chinese pistache), Gingko biloba, Platanus racemosa (California sycamore) and P….
Small trees generally stay thirty feet or less. There are a very large number of trees that fit in that category, so we are presenting just a few that do well in our area. Evergreen selections are Arbutus ‘Marina’, Laurus nobilis, Feijoa sellowiana (pineapple guava) and Rhus lancea (African sumac), although it can get damaged in very…
Coniferous trees can serve many uses in the garden. They can range in size from a few feet to sixty feet in height. Some, such as Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress) and Cedrus deodara (Deodar cedar), are very drought tolerant once established while others, like Sequoia (coast redwood) will need water forever. We usually have many different types…
Teucrium ( germander) is a genus with some very different looking species. Teucrium cossonii majoricum is a low growing groundcover with grey foliage and whorls of mauvey purple flowers that smell like honey. T. x lucidrys (formerly T. chamaedrys) has dark green, toothed leaves with pink flowers. It grows to about one by two feet. T….
Myrtus communis, or myrtle, is a dense shrub that does well in full sun or partial shade. Leaves are small, bright green and aromatic. White, fragrant flowers appear in summer. It generally grows to about six feet (or more with age), but ‘Compacta’ stays about three by three feet. Good drainage is essential.
