DIY Tree Advice: Bookshelf Treasures

by Robin Y Rivet Question: I’d really like to plant a red maple, but I couldn’t find any locally. I’d also like to plant a unique fruit tree. What species would grow best in this region? Answer: Unfortunately, red maples need more cold weather (often called chill hours) than typical San Diego winters provide, but […]

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Good Bets for Hedges to Replace Dying Oleanders

Mary James A landscape icon in San Diego and throughout Southern California, the ubiquitous oleander (Nerium oleander), is falling victim to an incurable disease. Native to the Mediterranean region, these versatile shrubs with slender leaves and azalea-like flowers are often planted a carefree screen, defining property lines, and providing privacy or, as one gardener admitted, “separating […]

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