I was just going to ask this question. Is there anyone else in zone 10 southern California growing a Lapins cherry? I realize Lapins was kind of a new variety of cherry, released in 1984, and not widely available until the late 80's to early 90's, which has now become superseded by Royal Lee/Royal Minnie, so there may not be that many with experience growing a Lapins in SoCal. But Lapins is kind of unique stand-alone variety in that it does not require another pollinator (it was a cross between Vans and Stella). I'm growing a Lapins in Laguna Niguel on a hillside. There are some big oak trees growing close to it (on the south facing side) so it does get some partial shade during the morning and evening during the Winter season. During the summer, only the base of the tree is shaded (only partially), while the top gets full sun exposure. I think having half the surrounding ground shaded helps keep some moisture in the soil, as well as the surrounding air, which ultimately is helpful to the tree in this climate, since if it was just planted out in the open things could get pretty dry. The tree seems to be pretty resilient, even going for a 3 month stretch with no water. One day I found the main trunk broke, the poor tree and its leaves laying against the ground. so I bent it back and staked it. Miraculously the tree has survived. It's only been in the ground 14 months. It doesn't get watered very often, but when I do I make sure it gets deeply watered. Of course the little tree hasn't fruited yet, but I've heard a report that Lapins is able to produce cherries here, albeit inconsistently, maybe every other year or so. I get the impression that Lapins was the best low chill option available before the arrival of Royal Lee/Royal Minnie. I know even a Bing or Rainier can set blossoms here, if they are in partial shade over the winter (actually my Rainier was PACKED with blossoms, though no cherries). And if Lapins sets blossoms, I think there's a good chance its going to set cherries since it's self-fertile (after being pollinated, less likely to abort fruit set due to low vigor). Interesting, fruitnut, I had heard just the opposite, that self-fertile cherry varieties were suspected to be more likely to set fruit from blossoms. At least that's what orchardist Matthew Søberg Shugart of UC Davis said in his blog.

Well, I have both in my yard, both do well. Cot-N-Candy Aprium is also a great choice. I also have Autumn Glo apricot, but it is brand new this year, so no fruit from it, but it is a consistent taste test winner for DWN. A lot of folks in our area also like Katy, I don't have it in my yard, sort of out of room, so if my other apricots don't measure up, I may replace one with a Katy. Patty S.

I haven't grown this leucadendron, but San Marcos Growers indicates to 'prune hard during flowering for cut flowers or just after to maintain the vigor of the plant and to control its size'. I find that their site has some good information on growing plants in SoCal. Interesting that this one seems to like a more acid soil. I have seen it offered at local nurseries; pretty plant. Here is a link that might be useful: San Marcos Growers

plllog, we have a similar "micro-climate" here in Michigan. All along the lakeshore is zone 6, but less than 25 miles inland it's a whole 'nother zone, zone 5. Not as dramatic a change as skiiing and beaches, but it's always 10 degrees cooler at The Lake in the summer and 10 degrees warmer in the winter. sarah, we visited Dana Point while we were there too, I was looking for a date shake. Never did find one... Lars, hopefully I'll be seeing you this summer! Ellen, I'm sure we'll come again, but Jeremy comes here because he grew up here, his mother and brothers are here, and all the cousins. So, other family members visit occasionally but to see everyone, they have to come here. He likes July, LOL. Anyway, back to winterization! I saw the weather report, it's supposed to be down to 2F this weekend. I'm hoping my asparagus and garlic are mulched well enough as all the snow melted and that acts as insulation when it gets very cold. No snow, no insulating effect, hopefully those things are hardy enough to survive. Especially the asparagus, it's easier to grow more garlic. Annie