As a group comparatively short-lived, fast-growing chaparral shrubs not growing and persisting well were trees and taller shrubs overtake them. The most seen locally native (Seattle area etc.) species has a tendency to appear near parking lots and roadways, where there is a permanent source of hot air and freedom from being overtaken by trees. One I saw at an overlook above a developed flatland some years ago was basking gloriously in the hot air wafting up from the rooftops and parking lots below. Last year when I went to look at it again I found a nearly dead pathetic stick in its place, a thick of Douglas fir seedlings having popped up on the embankment and shaded it.

i would go far beyond lack of water being a 'likely problem' .. seeing the bone dry mounds of soil ... the grass left isnt going to help this summer either ... the future is all in the growth tips... all other leaves can be sacrificed ... not the best thing to do.. so we still potential life .... but i agree... put the hose on a trickle.. and leave it there for a few hours ... and shade will definitely help.... get on old bed sheet.. tie it on the fence.. and get some rocks to hold it out in the lawn .... artificial shade ... in case you were to do such again ... and with the soil being that dry ... if you had trickled it at the original site.. a few days ahead.. you could have ensured the plant sucked up enough reserve water ... to help with the move .. and.. if you left it out of the ground for any amount of time.. that didnt help either.. which is why.. next time... dig the new hole first ... which also would tell you.. how dry the soil is ... and if bone dry.. fill the hole a couple times and let it drain away ... saturating the surrounding soil .... and then saturate the root mass .... ahhh.. live and learn.. good luck ... ken

I don't know the answer to either question. I suspect you could prune as you suggest. I have heard that Ceonothus are "difficult" so I'd be much more cautious about disturbing their roots. Hopefully someone can be more helpful.

Yes Kerry, I LOVE Moosa Creek! Bought most of my yard ordering online at their website (and replacements for my steep learning curve failures) and choosing a nursery right across the street from my husband's office. It appears the farthest north they deliver their plants is in Riverside. Las Pilitas has Skylark available online for shipping. I ordered from them the first time this past January, only choosing very rare or locally unavailable plants due to the higher cost of plant + shipping. Very pleasantly surprised. Plants shipped out on a Monday and arrived quickly. Selected 14 plants (which all fit in one box) and the shipping to me was about $50. The software estimates a little higher but Penny only charges the exact amount. The directions want you to plant ASAP so I was very very busy digging. And most are still surviving :) Both websites have very handy valuable information which I cross reference. I haven't tried ordering online from Annies yet but she's on my list to try. After this hotter-than-usual summer, my new native plants are dying left and right so there will be plenty of brown spots to fill in. Valley Violet looks pretty in pics... (salivating wishing I lived either more coastal or more northern)