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Landscape Design
Italian Cypress Trees For Narrow Land Strip
Question from Nolanda: 1. I reside in Pasadena, CA. I have read alot of problems, mostly dust mites, killing italian cypresses after 3 yrs despite professional care & spraying. 2. Is the italian cypress too difficult to thrive in the CA valley...
How to Determine the Correct Spacing of All Garden Plants
Controlling Algerian Ivy & Plants that Attract Birds All nurseries will provide you with information when you purchase plants as to correct spacing of the plants you buy. Most plant labels have size and spacing listed on the label. Always ask the...
Pat Welsh’s Garden
Question from Cat: I was wondering if you ever open your garden up for viewing. I would love to see it. I live in Trabuco Canyon, California and am an avid So Calif gardener. I travel to Great Dixter every year to take their gardenning symposiums...
How to Space Plants when Planting a Bank
From Kathy: Oh for goodness sake I never thought of Ellwood’s as I hardly go there. I got turned off by coldness in attitude there and never went back. I’ll check it out. Okay will cut off the thatch too. Thanks again. Now I have...
Planting on a Bank & Best Substitutes for Lawns
Question from Howard: We are a Homeowners association with a steep bank, 45 degrees or steeper, three blocks long and about 30 feet high. What drought tolerant plant(s) would you recommend? Also, what ground cover, if any, would you recommend to replace...
Plant to Prevent Erosion on a Steep Hillside
Question from Kathy: I love your book and use it as my garden bible. I have a new problem and do not know what to do. I live on top of a steep hillside and have been here for 34 yrs. I have never had a mudslide. However, the hillside is in three levels...
Pruning a Camphor tree
Question from John: I have a Camphor tree that was planed in August of 2010. It has since grown about 4 ft and has filled out. filled out so much that tow main branches almost snapped from the weight of rain. We have since tied them to large stakes. When...
Drought-resistant Lawn Substitute for People and Dogs
Question from Candace and Cyrus: We recently got rid of our entire fescue lawn and replaced it ( or tried to ) with UC Verde, a new form of buffalo grass specially engineered for the climate of the southwest. Unfortunately, because we are within a...
Edible Landscape Planning
Question from Dave: I have a friend at work who is planning on re-landscaping her yard. Can you recommend a book on edible landscaping? Also, do you have some advice on peaches, nectarines, plums and cherries? I have trees that are two years old –...
Native Plants for Erosion Control on Steep Banks
Question from Alin: I’m looking for native plants species for erosion ; many of the plants you mentioned are from Australian/S. Africa. Answer from Pat: You are correct. I have indeed recommended many plants as bank covers that are native to Australia,...
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...
Beach Front Plants for English Seacoast Gardens
Question from Katie: Hi Pat, just found your www site and saw it said, “Send a Q to Pat”, so, here goes… location: seaside, south-facing (in England: the sunny side), sheltered terrace. Required: architectural, evergreen, “WOW!”...
Evergreen Trees for Median
Question from Lena: We live in Harbor City, CA. The majority of the trees planted on the median are I think some form of a pepper tree. The roots are invasive to plumbing not to mention the sidewalks. Where occasionally LA city comes around as slaps...
