The hot summer days are starting to stress hydrangeas that get near full sun but they are still a wonderful eye full. If you desire fewer, but larger, blooms the secret is to remove all but one or two buds from each stem in the springtime. The available energy for blooms will be concentrated on these fewer outgrowths.
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GrevilleaGrevillea
An Australian genus of 300+ species well suited to dry conditions and poor soils like here in San Diego. Local nurseries are selling more and more varieties so try one out. They come in many sizes and flower colors to fit any space in your garden. In Australia they are a favorite of honeyeater birds so I presume that our hummingbirds will go crazy for these. Photo credit; C. Bell (Geelong, Australia)
My Spring BarometerMy Spring Barometer
Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are classics of spring but not so common outdoors in San Diego gardens because of our warmer climate. Many years ago, I planted the bulb from a (supermarket) potted gift bouquet into my garden. Each year if it flowers (like this year) I know it has been cooler and wetter than normal. Most years only the leaves emerge without a flower.
Herb LawnHerb Lawn
A home in my 92131 neighborhood has this beautiful herb lawn. If you know the species please email us. It does attract a lot of bees and so I am not sure you would want to walk across barefoot.