Campsis radicans
Trumpet vines are numerous, and a few thrive here on the West Coast of the United States. Because of their exotic trumpet-shaped flowers...
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4 min read
Punica granatum
We moved to Palo Alto when I was child, so I was amazed to learn that we had our own pomegranate tree in the front yard, already well...
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3 min read
Abelia x grandiflora
Another popular plant for ornamental landscapes, its hardiness and prolific blooms add an informal charm to the landscape. When used...
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5 min read
Lagerstroemia indica
What's not to love about Lagerstroemia indica, or crape myrtles? Right about now, mid to late summer, their ubiquity is obvious along...
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2 min read
Euryops pectinatus
Euryops pectinatus is another favorite among homeowners, landscapers, and by extension, every local big box hardware store looking for a...
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3 min read
Brachychiton populneus
California landscape designers, give this tree more attention. We have a specimen at West Valley College (shown below), which is just...
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2 min read
Lophostemon confertus
An attractive, desirable tree offering an opportunity to replace some Eucalyptus species; an online search will easily find images of...
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3 min read
Tulbaghia violacea
Pssssst......landscape designers......over here...make sure your client or the users of your landscape LOVE garlic before planting this...
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2 min read
Acanthus mollis
Students learning the history of landscape architecture and architecture will at some point learn about the three Classical Orders. From...
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3 min read
Callistemon citrinus
I have been driving around our 1950s to 1970s neighborhoods for the past month looking to no avail for a quality specimen of this large...
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4 min read
Euphorbia x martini
We started strategically planting Euphorbias in the garden when we heard that gophers do not like them, and we have plenty of gophers. ...
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4 min read
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavare. Just writing this Latin derivative meaning 'to wash' evokes spas filled with lavender bathing soaps and oils. Relaxing. If...
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4 min read
Washingtonia robusta
Few trees in the California landscape, such as oaks and redwoods, have reached icon status, and the infamous palm is one of them. Its...
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4 min read
Dietes iridioides
Fortnight lilies are another workhorse in commercial landscapes, tolerating a ho-lotta maintenance and design travesties yet still they...
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3 min read
Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth'
This cheerful cultivar of a native species is on my wish list to personally grow, but so far my success has been limited. My first...
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5 min read
Quercus agrifolia
The coast live oak is among other tree species noted for their size, often achieving heritage status within communities... witness trees...
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4 min read
Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
There are three Arbutus species that every California landscape architect should know: A. menziesii, A. 'Marina,' and this one, A. unedo...
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3 min read
Juncus patens
Juncus patens is a workhorse in a relatively new landscape industry, green stormwater infrastructure, or GSI for short. Sure, it is a...
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4 min read
Bougainvillea
Bring out your favorite tropical drink to sip while we chat about this Type-A personality vine! It seems no tropical garden is complete...
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3 min read
Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'
Smokin'! This is the first word that comes to mind when I see this unusual plant in bloom. What could be an ordinary large shrub or...
22 views0 comments
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