Growing Anemones for Year-Round Color

The name Anemone comes from the Greek word for “windflower,” inspired by petals that flutter open in the lightest breeze. These graceful perennials have captivated gardeners for centuries with their delicate forms and vivid colors. They thrive in...

How to Grow Oleander in Pots or Plots

Oleander might be the perfect plant for Southern California’s climate. This Mediterranean native thrives in heat, tolerates drought, and blooms nearly year-round in mild winters. Whether working with a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, oleander delivers...

Your Guide to Growing SoCal’s Prettiest Petunias

Once dismissed as “worthless weeds,” petunias have gone from wild South American flowers to beloved garden staples. They’re a perfect match for Southern California — bold, sun-loving, and endlessly adaptable to our microclimates from beach to desert....

How to Grow Canna Lilies in Your SoCal Garden

Few plants can match the canna lily’s bold beauty and long history. This tropical showstopper is a lily only in name — in fact, it’s more closely related to bananas and ginger. Once grown as food in ancient Peru, cannas, with their towering banana-like...

Growing Kiwi Fruit in Southern California

Nothing is quite as satisfying in salad as a kiwi, that tart-sweet, fuzzy-skinned fruit from the faraway land of… wait for it… California. That’s right. More often than not, the exotic kiwifruit at your local SoCal market is grown in the San Joaquin...