gardengal48... So Friday Was my very first visit to the Plant Depot... Let me just say... I am IN LOVE!!! They had ordered both the "super" 1 gallons and 5 gallons waiting for me. To my surprise the "super" 1 gallon size looked much bigger than I had imagined they would. I walked out of there with 4 "super" 1 gallon Limelights and 2 bags of Acid Soil Ammendment. I really had to use a serious amount of self control and restraint to keep myself from buying more. I think I may have a plant addiction... HELP!!!... ;-) I can't wait to get these hydrangeas in the ground and growing for me. Based on the information on the tag, it says that they're the hardiest of all the Hydrangeas... needing less water and being able to take more sun, than many of the other Hydrangea varieties out there, once they're established. So I'm hopeful that I will have much more success with these Hydrangeas than the other ones I've planted in the past. I CAN'T wait to go back to The Plant Depot and do some more garden dreaming... such a cool place. Thanks again for leading me towards The Plant Depot. I would not have known to check them out if it had not been for you... :-) I'll have to snap some photos sometime and share. Thanks again for all your help!

The bulk of coastal SoCal is USDA zone 10......zone 11 is reserved for more tropical areas like Hawaii and parts of Mexico. This rating system is based on average minimum winter temperatures, so at some point, temps below 40F in your area have been recorded. Japanese maples can be grown in SoCal, especially the coastal regions. My sister in Dana Point (across the street from the beach) has several lovely specimens. There is a valid concern about soil conditions and irrigation water which tends also to be alkaline. If these factors can be accommodated and the tree is properly sited (early morning sun only - the rest of the time in shade) it should do perfectly well. In fact, if you can grow camellias successfully, you should also be able to grow Japanese maples, as they share similar growing requirements -- well-draining acidic soils, even moisture and afternoon shade. It's a matter of personal taste, but the plum is a very dull, ordinary plant and outside of a limited bloom season, has little to say for itself. If the maple will not work in that spot but you like that dark purple coloring, consider one of the Chinese fringe flowers, Loropetalum chinenis, that has that foliar attribute. They are evergreen and offer interesting hot pink flowers as well.

Carla in Sac posts here fairly often. She has terrific tomato growing success in Sacramento. Here's her list of heat tolerant varieties: Large varieties for hot weather (above 100 degrees): Mexico, Giant Belgium, Stump of the World, Marianna's Peace, Big Beef, Brandy Boy, Boondocks Medium/paste varieties: Stupice, Jetsetter, Arkansas Traveler, Burgundy Traveler, Manalucie, Moskvich, Orange Russian 117 (altough these can grow to beefsteak size), Peron, Jubilee, Heidi, Italian Gold Most cherry/grape varieties. To that I can add Cold Set (yep, setting tomatoes in my back yard right now, 100+ degrees). Also Gary'O Sena and Dora are reported to have good heat tolerance. In Redlands you probably could grow anything and at worst have a two-month shutdown in summer.

plants & peeps continued Blooms of alien, Ceropegia (Hoovb also showed a pic of this) Cool! Last of this batch/installment of plant pix (more when I'm able) Jeff & Mark Bill Bella & Joe Jordi, Bob, Regina, Chris Now, we got pix of Hoovb with hands in front of her face, plant box in front of face, with hubby, laughing, with & without glasses...but she will remain a mystery! LOL :D Was great to MEET everyone & see old friends as well!