The serviceberry tree (genus Amelanchier) bears spectacular white flowers in early spring, followed by sweet, blueberry-like fruit in the summer. Its fall foliage turns brilliant shades of orange and red. Varieties of this North American plant range from small shrubs...
Imagine going 20 years without a haircut or grooming session. Now imagine you’re a Palo Verde tree. Same thing, different species. Unpruned Palo Verde is a tangled mess of brambles and branches, sometimes with no discernible tree form. But trimmed into shape,...
The record low temperature in downtown Los Angeles is 28°F (-2°C), set on three occasions. Outlying areas like the San Fernando Valley have seen even colder temperatures — dropping to 18°F (-7.8°C) in 1989. While this may not raise eyebrows in Duluth, Minnesota,...
Plumeria? Check. Jacaranda? Check check. These tropical trees thrive in Southern California’s Mediterranean climate. That said, some trees fare much better than others and reward the attentive LA gardener with spectacular spring and early summer flowers....
Fuyu! We don’t mean to sound rude, but we’re talking about the persimmon tree. If you’re lucky enough to have one, you know what a delight the fruit can be in salads, sauces, and table displays. Sadly, persimmon trees have a notoriously short...
You can grow almost anything in Southern California. The magnolia tree, which evokes images of the humid American South, flourishes in California’s much dryer climate, although with more TLC. A Brief History of the Magnolia Tree Fossil evidence traces the...
