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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...
July Flowers to Plant Now in Spring For Summer Wedding
Question from Jackie: Pat, HELP! I’m having a wedding in my back yard in mid July. What flowers or beds of flowers can I plant now that will show beautifully in July? Thanks for any help you can give me Answer from Pat: First, do not worry too much....
Hot Lips
Question from Judi: I’m sending you a picture of a flower called “hot lips”. A friend of mine saw it while on vacation and loved it. It must have another name besides hot lips and who would know but you? Wishing you a happy healthy...
Bearded Iris
Question from Kathy: I have is relative to the bearded iris. I have some lovely gold ones and I just reread what to do after they bloom in your book. Do they require much water and also do you ever fertilize them? I usually put down the organic fertilizer...
Eastern Lilacs
Question from Rod: I live in an area east of Jamul Ca. I.m at 2500ft. I’ve had lilacs (lavender)since I’ve lived here (“72″) they were here before that.They always bloom but something that has never happen before. Their blooming...
Wildflowers
Question from Mary: What is the best fertilizer to use on wild flowers for a grave site ,, I would like to plant for my mother,on her grave,and what time of year is best to do this? Answer from Pat: It is a lovely idea to plant wildflowers on your mother’s...
Plant Zinnias Seeds
Plant seeds of zinnias now. “Benary’s Giants” (sold as “Parks Picks” by the Park Seeds) is immune to mildew. Choose a spot in full sun, till the ground to spade depth, work in organic soil amendment and balanced fertilizer into the top six inches....
Peace lily (Spathyphyllum.)
Question from Crissy: Hi, I have questions about growing a peace lily, which I’m keeping for the first time. Someone has delivered theirs to me, and the plant is quite big, though I’m keeping it indoors. Would it be OK to just cut off some...
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...
Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia ‘Happy Wanderer’) is not happy
Question from Lisa: I bought a Vine Lilac from Costco maybe 6 months ago (January) and it’s never been the same. I hear they flourish in winter, but I know it hasn’t been happy ever since I brought it home. How can I tell if the soil has too...
Scabiosa
Question from Charlie: Years ago I bought a grey-leafed scabiosa – has the typical pincushion flower. I want to find the technical name – I think it may be scabiosa varitoma but can’t confirm using the internet. Do you have any ideas?...
What can I do with my bloomed-out phalaenopsis orchids?
Question from Joanne: Help! People give me Phalaenopsis orchids. I love them of course and put them in the brightest spot in my dark house where I can enjoy them, but I have tried everything to get them to come back into bloom. I feed them and care for...
Princess Plants (Tibouchina heteromalla and Tibouchina urvilleana.)
Question from Shannon: I have two sickly Princess Plants (Tibouchina heteromalla) that I planted about 3 months ago. I had had one at the beach (in Playa del Rey CA) that was as big as a house, hearty, and virtually care-free. The ones in question...
