Question from Tony: Thank you for your advice on the atlas cedar. I’ve replanted a nice specimen in a raised planter over soil that has been treated with gypsum for better drainage. I hope to get your help with a new problem.  For many years I’ve had a dwarf bay tree in a large pot, […]

Question from Margaret: I am being offered a fig tree. I live close to the coast in in Southern California, probably Zone 24, and am not sure of the variety. That being said, can you tell me what is the best month to move it from my friend’s home in the same town where I […]

Question from Barbie: We have a very large Camphor tree about 45 years old. W have had it trimmed/laced several times. We want to be sure we have this done at the right time (or season) of the year. We live in So. CA about 20 miles North of San Diego. Also are about 2 […]

Question from Randy: Can you tell me when, what and if you are supposed to feed leucadendrons. Seems that I heard somethin’ about NOT feeding them. Thanks. I have some that are doing great since I got the water situation dialed in. Answer from Pat: Among South African plants, most of which flourish in Southern […]

Question from Jane: I saw the Metrosideros villosa Tahiti yesterday in a beach garden and fell in love with it. I’m sure I would also love the M. collina Fiji, but where in the county might I be able to find it? It’s so frustrating to see plants that would be perfect, but so often […]

Question from Tanya: I originally come from Russia, so when we planned our front yard garden in Pasadena, thought it would be great to incorporate the groves of white European birches on both sides of the yard. Having read your related articles, it looks like the birches we want won’t survive in our Southern California […]

Question from Lyne: I have a 8 foot Swedish Aspen that I planted last year, June. I am up in Alberta Canada. I have noticed the last couple of days it did not look as well as it did. I have noticed that there are leaves that have black spots on them. I have other […]

Question from Sharron: I am looking for a tree that was planted along the Ca. railroads to supply them with railroads ties. It did not work but now Ca. has many of these trees. I believe they may have come from Australia where there wood was very hard; not so here, or some reason. Do […]

Question from Dee: I am considering planting a couple of Gold Medallion (Cassia Leptophylla) trees. My location is Carlsbad, CA. 92011 1) What zone is it? 2) Also is this a good time to plant this tree? August Thank you. Answer from Pat: Gold medallion tree (Cassia leptophylla) is one of our best small to […]