Saturday, June 1, 2013

Daffodils



Daffodils or Narcissus are bulbs that look like onions with flowers that have pronounced necks. The leafless stems, appearing from early to late spring bear from 1 to 20 blooms. Each flower has a central bell that looks like a bowl bowl or disc-shaped corona surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves.



Flower color varies from white through yellow to deep orange. The most common color is the bright yellow. Breeders have developed some daffodils with double, triple, or ambiguously multiple rows and layers of segments, and several wild species also have known double variants.




Daffodils don’t thrive very well in Southern California. The ones that I have planted come back the following year but most don’t come grow back by the third year. One exception is the smaller variety. The leaves and flowers are small but they grow back every spring unlike the larger variety. This one measures approximately 4 to 5 inches in height. Each bulb has 4 to 5 flowers per bulb. The flower color is as bright yellow as the bigger variety.

This variety may not be as stunning as the ones grown in colder climates but it is beautiful nonetheless. 

Daffodils makes you feel spring.



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Camellia



One of Southern California’s winter blooming plants in the garden is the camellia.

Camellias include about 80 species most of which are used as ornamental plants. The leaves are leathery and evergreen. They are native to southern and eastern Asia, and have been cultivated in China, Japan and Korea for centuries.

They are easy to grow in Southern California with a little extra care, some shade and plenty of organic mulch.

I planted several shrubs a few years ago and they are now in full bloom. I planted the Japonica variety which is characterized by huge, double blooms.
Pink Japonica Camellia
 
Once they are established, they require little maintenance and you can enjoy their blooms every year. In Southern California where summer can be dry and hot, plant them where there is some shade to protect the plant from the scorching sun. Weekly watering is also recommended to prevent the plant from drying out.
Red Japonica Camellia
 
Late winter to early spring is the best time to buy and plant camellias. Buy the plant that is already in bloom so you know how the bloom looks like.
Bud of a Red Japonica Ready to Open


Sunday, January 20, 2013

New Rose Varieties for 2013


Winter is the time of the year to prune the rose bushes and also the time plant bare root roses. There are several new varieties worth looking at.

There are thousands of rose varieties available out there every year, but we still get excited to hear about the new roses that are come out each year.

Here are some of my favorite new varieties that are available this year:

 England’s Rose


  • It is hardy and reliable medium-sized English tea rose
  • Flowers are bright pink
  • Blooms from June to November
  • Fragrance is strong, warm and spicy 
This rose is available at David Austin Roses, www.davidaustinroses.com





Diamond Eyes



















  • Miniature rose variety, grows about 14-18 inches tall
  • The flower is a gorgeous dark, velvety purple with white eye double bloom rose
  • The color will be darken in cooler conditions
  • Flower has a petal count of about 18-22 petals
  • Flower scent is strong clove and spice
This rose is available at SW Greenhouse, www.sw-greenhouse.com



Dark Knight



















  • Hybrid tea variety
  • Flower is dark velvety red and creamy yellow
  • Flower size is large with about of 25 petal count
  • Foliage is glossy and dark green
  • Slightly fragrant

This rose is available at SW Greenhouse, www.sw-greenhouse.com




Meitroni




















  • Hybrid tea variety
  • Plant size is about 6 feet
  • Flower is shell pink which turns white as it ages
  • Flower size is large, high centered, and cuplike
  • Petal count is about 60 – 65 petals
  • Fragrance is strong, fruity and citrusy
This rose is available at Meilland International, www.meilland.com

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Fall Color in Southern California


Places like New England and most of the northern East Coast are famous for fall color. Fall color is not restricted to these places; there will be fall color where there are deciduous trees including Southern California. 

Japanese Maple Leaves Turning Red


Fall color in Southern California though is not as spectacular as in the Northeast. There are not enough deciduous trees in the region to give the spectacular fall color. Most of the trees in So Cal are evergreens including pine trees and oaks. Lower elevation in the region also does not have the cold of frost. The cold of frost during fall makes the colors brighter and more intense.

Ornamental Wild Cherry With Yellow Leaves


When I bought my house about 10 years ago, there are no deciduous trees in the property. To have some fall color I planted a Japanese maple, ornamental wild cherry in the backyard and crepe myrtle in the front yard. Now every fall to early winter I have some fall color.

Grape Vines With Brownish to Yellow Leaves