I guess this depends on where your boundaries of "botany" are. To me, genetics are naturally part of botany and I don't see how to separate the two. Botany incorporates all sorts of biological fields, and isn't limited to "traditional" "old school" botany, including nomenclature, identification, discovery, and taxonomy. Some of the greatest botanists I know are geneticists, horticulturalists, agriculturalists, microbiologists, and biochemists ;o)

Paulzie, haha those are just river rocks. I have them there because there is a drainage pipe opening there and the stones keep the soil from eroding. Our winter rains could swamp my succulents and make them rot :( Stan, thanks. You have a good eye. The majesty is one of very few here in the valley. I've seen several in protected spots throughout different neighborhoods. & Jacarandas are becoming more popular trees here. The big box stores are carrying them now. There are several large, old jacarandas in Fresno. They are a sight to see during the summer. The Cyathea Cooperi are very common here actually. There is a pair just down the street from me with trunks over 4 feet tall. Mine survived the 2007 freeze. I also have a trunking Blechnum Gibbum and a Howea Forsteriana underneath the Cyathea. That one also survived the freeze. Rachel, I will have to check Lotus Garden out. I've never been to that nursery! Thanks for the tip! Thanks everyone for the encouraging words! I've drawn so much inspiration from seeing all of your posts here!

Hi Trevisan, You might want to repost your message to the Australian Gardening forum...

Some of the easier to grow palms that will take a bit of frost and are drought tolerant, would include Butia capitata, Brahea armata and B. edulis, Washingtonia robusta and W. filifera, Phoenix canariensis. Most of these are pretty big palms with age, and you may not want anything that big. You might also consider Syagrus romanzoffianum, which requires abit more care to look good, but should suit your purposes. If the Giant Bird of Paradise is hardy in Melbourne, (ie. do you often get more than a degree or two of frost?), then Strelitzia nicholai is a tough, palm look alike. If you really aren't much into caring for plants, you might be better off with a Cordyline australis or Yucca instead.