Plants for Beachfront and Seaside Gardens in Southern California

Question from Zachary: What plants will grow in gardens close to the coast and right on the beach front in Southern California? Answer from Pat: Trees that will survive on the oceanfront in Southern California include the following: Monterey cypress (Cupressus...

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...

Erosion Control for Steep Hillside: Last Minute Installation to Hold the Soil

Question from Melissa: Hi Pat, My elderly parents live in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and have a very steep hillside leading down from their backyard. About 1 year ago a “live” sprinkler pipe ruptured and sent a...

Small Patio Trees

Question from Margo: I am having two trees removed and need replacements. One, will be in an elevated triangular planter about 6″ at the widest point. It is directly over a spa. So I need a tree that will not drop leaves and will not have invasive...

Thanks for your inspiration

From Jim and Karen: I just wanted to thank you guys for your inspirational walls in Del Mar and Solana Beach that we used to make our own mosaic wall in our front yard. The wall is 45′ long and 5′ high at the starting point. We used a combination...

Planting a Bank

Question from Christy: I have just removed ice plant from my bank and would like to go with native/drought tolerant/succulent/and maybe even some edible plants.  I live in San Diego and the bank gets full sun. I have a good idea (from your web-site)...

Suggestions re Flowering vine or hedge as divider

Question from Diane: I live in middle of Los Angeles (Hancock Park red clay soil) and have cyclone fence between new neighbors and my yard. Old divider was eugenia hedge now removed. East/south facing so sun most of the day. Think Jasmine, potato vine,...

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...