Posted by admin on September 13, 2010
There are quite a number of plants, shrubs, and trees which require more water than others. There are also soils, temperatures, planting techniques, and number of plants to consider when thinking about saving water.
Here are tips on saving water in the garden:
- Grass takes a lot of water. Consider less grass, rocks, gravel, stones, succulents, etc.
- Some plants, such as ferns, don’t like to dry out for too long and get too warm. To solve this problem, keep shade plants in the shade, and sun plants in partial sun or full sun.
- Some soils retain more moisture than others. Think about how porous your soil is.
- Using mulch around plants can help keep moisture in the ground.
- Some plants, such as Gazanias, don’t need much water and work well as a ground cover.
- Water plants at times the water will stay in the ground and not dry out fast. For example, watering at the hottest, windy moment in a day may mean some water blows away and evaporates.
Posted by admin on July 9, 2009
Angel’s Trumpet is quite the rewarding plant to grow. This vigorous plant (also can be trained to grow as a shrub or tree) loves full sun, has fragrant flowers, and grows six to eight feet in height when mature. This plant can grow well in a pot or the ground. It does not like to dry out between waterings, and cannot get colder than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is a beautiful white potted variety that can be transplanted into the ground, a pink one just like the one in our garden photo below you can grow from seed, an orange one that can be grown from seed, and a beautiful potted peach variety.
Pink Angels Trumpet Plant in Our Garden
Posted by admin on July 8, 2009
The California Plants Discussion Forum is now live! Click here to either go there and learn, ask questions, or share information to help others. Indoor plants, outdoor plants, shrubs, trees, and more are discussed.
Posted by admin on April 16, 2009
Fraser’s Photinia (Photinia x fraseri) is a perfect large evergreen shrub to use as a privacy screen between your house and a neighbor. Plants can be very affordable to buy. They are beautiful, with bright red and green leaves. These can also be used as a hedge or beautiful bush in the yard. Photinia flowers in the spring are sweet smelling. Photinias generally like at least 6 hours of sun. This Photinia does not want to dry out between waterings, although after being established for about 6 months, this shrub is fairly drought tolerant. Generally these do grow to 10 or 15 feet high and wide, so it is best to give ample spacing between plants. The Fraser’s Photinia in the below photo is just under two feet in height, but will grow fast. This shrub can be shaped with pruning, and likes to be fertilized in the spring. It does not like weather to be colder than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you like Photinias, also check out this nice Waxleaf Privet Five Gallon.
Posted by admin on
Indian Hawthorne is a great plant to grow if you want an easy hedge type of flowering shrub. ‘Clara’ Indian Hawthorne (Rhaphiolepis Indica) enjoys part sun, blooms for an extended period of time, and is drought tolerant. It eventually will grow to 4 feet. The one I am growing in this photo is about 2 feet high currently. The coldest temperature these can go to is 10 degrees Farenheit. As with any other new plant to the garden, this one should be watered more for the first 6 months until roots are established. Here is an Indian Hawthorne I recommend: Dwarf Yedda Indian Hawthorn One Gallon