Calliandra x 'Lianca'
An uncommon cross variety of two Southern California native plants.
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TELCS
3 min read
Symphoricarpos albus
When living in West Sonoma County, I first came across this unusual fruiting native not far from our home. Situated within a flood plain...
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3 min read
Westringia fruiticosa
The first time I came across Westringia fruiticosa, or coast rosemary, was when I used to work for a wholesale nursery in Sonoma County. ...
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3 min read
Senecio candicans 'Senaw' (PP28,830)
For those of us familiar with the feathery, strikingly silver foliage of dusty millers, or Jacobaea maritima, this is not it! Please...
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Syringa x perscia
Every spring for the past eight years, I have been searching for this shrub. And every year, I am both disappointed and bewildered why...
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5 min read
Phyllostachys bambusoides
To designers, bamboos offer unique opportunities in the landscape, especially as outdoor space becomes more restricted. Some ideas are...
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2 min read
Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn'
Go seriously local! This species of manzanita was originally introduced by our own Saratoga Horticulture Foundation way back in 1955,...
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4 min read
Pittosporum tenuifolium
It is easy to dismiss some of the more Plane Jane plants of the ornamental landscape, but for landscape architects, they can play key...
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Pinus edulis
Memories can pop up when least expected. My family and I would sit on the back deck of our South Lake Tahoe cabin and pick out and devour...
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4 min read
Koelreuteria paniculata
Truth be known, I have not specified Koelreuteria paniculata in any of my designs, and I am not sure why. Perhaps one reason is that it...
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Melaleuca linariifolia
Easily unnoticeable but offers so much more when looking at the details, we should be seeing more of Melaleuca linariifolia in public...
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3 min read
Ceiba speciosa
Ages ago...I am referring to my own ancient history...I was an outsider yet still involved with activities on Stanford's campus. My...
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Lantana montevidensis
Need a colorful ground cover that is also drought tolerant? Consider Lantana montevidensis. Unlike its sibling, Lantana camara that...
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5 min read
Lantana camara
Lantanas continue to grow in availability offering a wide variety of colors and sizes among hybridized cultivars. For this post, we will...
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Ginkgo biloba
Like me, Ginkgo biloba is a living fossil, or as Sunset summarizes, an "ancient survivor from prehistoric times..." (p. 339). The...
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3 min read
Teucrium x lucidrys
This little germander always finds its way into my gardens, in part for its versatility. I have primarily specified T. x lucidrys as...
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4 min read
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
Welcome to floral sunshine in the native garden! Solidago velutina ssp. californica, or California goldenrod, is not well known among...
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Epilobium canum
Ushering in the autumn season is California fuchsia, or Epilobium canum. When so many other native perennials are already withering or...
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3 min read
Rosa californica
California has everything, even its own rose. No, it is not a fancy multi-petaled cut flower coveted by lovers, but it certainly has...
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4 min read
Myoporum laetum
There are two trees I can think of that leave me unenthusiastic about giving them my time here. The first is Ailanthus altissima, which...
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