Dracaena draco, DRAGON TREE. Joe

I'd suggest that Coast Live Oaks/Quercus agrifolia is among the best evergreen trees for fire zones in California, as they resist fire better than almost any other native tree besides Coast Redwoods/Sequoia sempervirens, which does not do well in southern California with the smog, heat and low humidity during Santa Ana wind conditions. Another relatively fire resistant tree to consider would be Cork Oak/Quercus suber, and Marina Madrone/Arubutus 'Marina'. Palms such as Brahea armata, Brahea edulis, Butia capitata would also be relatively fire resistant, if the old dry fronds are regularly pruned off. Tree Aloes such as Aloe bainsii, or Cordyline australis, or Dracena draco/Dragon tree would also be good fire resistant trees. Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' is not really a fire resistant species, nor does it do well in hot, southern California conditions, as it prefers more cool, humid coastal conditions. Any type of tree that is resinous is prone to spreading fires, and this would include all Cypress, Pine, Juniper species, including Italian Cypress and Hollywood Junipers. Fire safe plantings also presume keeping a certain distance between structures and large trees. I'd advise that you don't ignore the safety recommendations of your local fire district, even if it does conflict with blocking unsightly views of neighbors. I'd also strongly suggest that you consider using a swimming pool as a source of water for roof top fire sprinklers, and a generator to pump and power such a system in case of fires. Also avoid wood decks, exposed wood rafters, and utilize masonry walls and concrete or masonry paving to create a clear zone nearer the house, which can't burn.

Thanks for all your complements! Theresa, It's really good to be back in the swing of summer. I haven't had enough time to enjoy the yard. The little guy flew away today. I left him out on a crepe myrtle tree where the adult birds come to sleep at night near a container of bird feed and our doggies' water bowl. I left him there this morning and he flew away some time afterward. pkponder, I really like the erythrina. I grew it from seed about 2 or 3 years ago. The thing grows soooo fast. It should grow to about 25 or 30 feet tall. Rosepedal, Thanks. That is Penny there in the picture. I got her from the shelter last summer. I really love those bougies too, but I hate pruning them. Their spines are hooked and extremeley vicious. Almost like the spines on the Mexican Fan Palm (the tall skinny ones planted all over CA). Siam, the cannas are plain c. indica. They grow about 8 feet or higher and the flower spike contains lots of small yellow flowers. Hummingbirds love them, but they are in a bad spot because we have to reach over to turn on the water hose. I've actually ripped out the whole patch twice before and they somehow manage to show up again. it must be a piece of the rhizome i leave behind. Daniellaell, Don't worry, I didn't throw the hammock away! haha. I actually took it down because we used it at a lake last weekend. I'll put it back up soon. I also just bought another hammock last month while I was in Guatemala. It's a cloth one, but I'm hesitant to put it outside because the cloth will probably become bleached and eventually it will tear due to the elements.

Check with a succulent wholesaler/dealer, local cactus/succulent club, maybe ask the succulent/cactus curator at the Huntington if he knows of any dealers, or ask California Cactus Center in Rosemead if they know of anyone, palm tree wholesalers might be another angle, as they will dig and remove valuable specimen palms for resale--dragon trees are not that far from palms. Dracena dracos are pretty fashionable right now. Thing must weight tons, though. I wonder how they transplant. Must be magnificent, would love to see a photo.