Drought tolerants for patio

Question from Tracey: I would like to find out if there are some drought tolerant /native plants that will do well in pots on a patio. The patio is south facing and gets a lot of sun. I’m in the South Pasadena/ Highland Park area of Southern...

Honeysuckle Dying

Q: Purchased a ‘mint crisp’ honeysuckle in a 1 gal pot; transplanted to a larger planter (hoping to move so I’m trying not to actually plant it). Was doing just fine and growing but has started to have sections where its starting to...

Heat and Cold-Resistant Container Plants

Question from Brenda: What are some good container plants for Oklahoma that will make it through our cold winters and hot summers?  Thank you! Answer from Pat: The hallmark plants for containers in cold-winter climates are hardy evergreens. Your...

Problems Growing Squash in Containers

Question from Martha: I have 2 squash plants planted in containers, side by side. They started out beautiful. I got 2 nice squash so far. Lately, the tiny squash have been drying up before they get very big, and also the leaves are turning brown underneath...

Organic fertilizers for indoor plants

Question from Randy: I would like to know what is a good indoor plant food? I’m going to start worm composting and am now composting my yard clippings etc. but am unsure about using these things indoors (smelly). I really like your S.Ca. organic...

Potting Soil or Potting Mix?

Question from Fred: We are a bit confused about what to plant our Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes in. I have a 10 gallon container and need to know whether to use potting soil or potting mix and whether the brand is important. Also, if I use potting soil what...

Success with Potted Bougainvillea

Q.  I have a bougainvilla. It’s potted in a large clay pot on my balcony. It faces the South and I live in Marina del Rey. I watered it once a week… about 1/4 a gallon. I slowed the watering down, sped it up. Moved it to a bigger pot. Nothing...

Book on Container Gardening

Question from Julie: Hi Pat, you were the featured speaker at my Master Gardener graduation in May 2010. On display was a book about container gardening, I would like to know the name of the book and were you the author? Answer from Pat: I have not...

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...

Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’

Question from Gail: Hi Pat, I enjoy your books and website very much–what a wealth of information and inspiration! My question is about Agonis flexuosa. I’ve planted three of the ‘After Dark’ dark foliaged trees in full sun...

How to Divide a Rootbound Clivia

Question from Shushilla: My clivia is severely rootbound, basically there is no more soil in the pot. If I cut through the roots to separate, will I kill the plants? This has been planted for at least 8 years and I have 3 other pots in the same condition....

Container Grown Trees

Question from Candace: I have an open patio area (no patio cover) on the Southwest side of my house, which I would like to shade with trees in large containers. I live in Corona, CA so it’s very hot in the summer/fall months. I would prefer...