They are planted in a well, they are deeper than it looks and yes it is steep and not very walkable. The wall has been that way since moving in 4 years ago. There used to be just 2 rows of blocks I added a third...notice the different type of blocks. That is the only spot where it could use some soil. Looking at it all the time never really noticed it much. I guess I'll have to water the flat part up beyond the fence and bring some soil down. Its really only about an inch back underneath missing if its even that much. It is a problem area in planting and even steeper in other areas. It's rock hard up there now and very dry from all the wind. The wind is the reason no mulch it just blows it around and can't keep away from the stem. I have a growing rock quarry up there also.

I agree hoovb, the drainage is probably more important. All the advice says good drainage but then I have read not to amend natives. So that is confusing especially when I tell the nursery it's rock hard clay. Plenty of rocks and sometimes it's like digging into granite. They say that's ok just throw it in there. So after digging the holes before planting, I filled with water and only took about 15 minutes to drain. I have read concha and my tessjara blue can tolerate some summer water. My carmel creeper is on a slope with nothing watered above it but gets sprinkler overspray. My concha are in their own watering zone so that is easy to control and were just put in last fall. They did flower a little this spring but of course still receiving water. A friend has yankee point which gets tons of water for 15 years now.

Thanks everyone! I'm still loving this color and think Rockport is definitely my favorite of the grays I've done thus far. rmkitchen, I guess the Rockport looks lighter on the exterior? Chardie, I would love to see your stairs! caminnc, can't wait to see your dining room! Mush, that's the color combo I am going for. Cream sofa, tan drapes. I want to add a bit more turquoise and a splash of orange with pillows and accessories. Maybe next month! catkin, I'll try to post some tomorrow. We've been out of town and I'm on the wrong computer. In the meantime, you can probably find photos by searching my name and the colors I've used. Here is a link that might be useful: Here's my foyer

Hi SK, I have mine planted about 40' from the pool edge. It's 3' up on a retaining wall and what really helps is the small ridge of the wall is enough to keep its litter (actually small amount compared to other trees) from blowing all around the yard. The bees love it when in bloom but I walk right around them and no issues. They grow big! And are susceptible to wind so may need staking since prone to blowing over and uprooting. Updating original topic, I did prune our dear Ray Hartman in July. At first I did a heavy all over thinning because of the wind issues, then hubby came out and wanted a more traditional tree form. Long story short, it is the most horrific Charlie Brown haircut you could ever imagine! But miraculously still alive and even has a few new sprouts. I'll take a before and after photo if it ever recovers but wouldn't dare post it now; it is that bad... like the kind you would see in "how not to prune" guide.