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Fragrant Plant in Southern California
Question from Eileen: I am trying to identify the plant which perfumed the air when I made a recent trip to St. Louis Obispo, Ca. The fragrance was everywhere I went. It was delightful and was so persistent that it must grow wild. I would like to...
Message From Pat
Dear Reader: This site contains more than one thousand answers to garden questions on a wide range of subjects common to Mediterranean climates. Among them, we hope you find the answer to your question. Please take this opportunity to share your experiences,...
Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus)
Question from Bob: I have another question for you: can you identify the striking bush in the attached photo? Answer from Pat: The plant in the photograph is weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis), a shrub or tree native to Australia. Bottlebrushes...
Growing Lilac (Syringea vulgaris) in Southern California
Question from Rachel: First things first: Pat, I asked you a question about fruit trees a while ago, and you sent the most thoughtful, detailed message with a host of helpful suggestions, including a recommendation for Bearss lime trees. I managed to...
Dahlia Imperialis
Question from Cynthia: Hi Pat – I didn’t know till now that you are in Del Mar. I grew up in Cardiff in the 1950s and ’60s, and I honestly believe there is no more perfect place on earth (and I’ve been around!). I’m...
Hydrangeas
Question from Yvonne: Is it possible to grow hydrangeas in southern ca, I live in Pico Rivera..not sure my zone #, 3 have died in containers. Not sure what I ma doing wrong. Answer from Pat: Hydrangeas grow wonderfully well here. They love facing east,...
Poinsettias
Question from Jeff: I recently bought your So Cal Organic Gardening book and like it very much. Helped me right away on winter time sweet peas, and made me feel better about poinsettias. That is, I have been trying to grow poinsettias for the past...
Plant Poisonious
Question from Tricia: Could really use your help! I have searched all over the web for any pictures of this native plant I found on my property (I live in Alpine, CA.). It looks kind of like mint, has long veins on the leaves,with rigged edges. I pinched...
Hand Pollination
Question from Brian: Could you recommend ,or does one of your books explain hand pollination. I would like to try this method , our summer in UK 2012 was wettest on record. Answer from Pat: I am so sorry to hear about you disastrous summer last year....
Brunfelsia
Question from Randy: Yet another question. On page 403 in your book you say to feed a double dose of fish on a brunsfelsia. I have pretty good luck with this plant but I only feed it when the weather warms up. What is your reasoning for feeding this tropical...
How to Prune Perennials
Question from Carla: I have several perennials in my very small garden and I am not sure when or if I should cut them back. I live in Southern California. Some of my plants are Mexican heather, calibrachoa, and Marguerite daisy. Answer from Pat: People...
Dahlias
Question from Randy: Randy in SB here again. I know that you are supposed to leave dahlias in the ground until the foliage dies down but was wondering if I get sick of looking at them and want to make room for my winter plants—what would happen if I...
Dahlias
Question from Randy: Thanks as always for answering my many questions. Seems like I never run out of them. I looked up in your book about storing dahlias and I waited until they browned out and carefully dug them up. I shook the soil from them and put...
