I don't get it. You mean there is a point where bougs DO NOT have thorns? Really, what is the difference if they are big or small? THe little ones jab just as hard as the big ones...maybe even harder IMO! Go ahead and trim the heck out of that bougie and then sit back and watch as it explodes with new growth and color! I've got one that is at least 10 years old that's growing up and over the house onto the sun deck on the second floor. You can almost hear it saying "Oh yeah? I'll show you!" when it's trimmed back off the railing. I've never seen such a prolific flowering plant. Hibiscus is nice too, I've got some huge ones in the backyard, but they are much more sensitive to bugs and genreally need more care and TLC. Boogs just love the abuse. Take a chainsaw or large trimmer to that boogie and show it who's boss. It will reward you with more flowers.

Yes, I love Acacia macradenia too. I bought mine from Mt Annan Botanic Garden when theirs was in flower. SPECTACULAR! Lovely smothers in bloom and as mentioned, wonderful fragrance. I had an acacia longifolia and agree it grows like a rocket. Mine was VERY short lived though. Full size and dead within about 5 years. Cost a fair bit to have removed. Another nice fragrant one is acacia podalyrifolia, very grey in effect, and acacia baileyana is always reliable, but I think both podalyrifolia and baileyana have been mentioned as prone to becoming a weed. Perhaps you could consider trying acacia pycnantha. Spectacular when doing well. It might suit your area, and it is the national floral emblem so that's a bonus!

Hi "Goldhills",in the beginning i was thinking like you,but as far as i know,Acacia macradenia has phyllodes,and not two thorns,at each node!! Two years ago i was at "Gimpie" sleeping there,eating(badly)there,and visiting the market near the rails! Cheers phil

Zelkova is very closely related to Elm (in fact it's technically in the same species). Zelkova is basically the Japanese version of Elm trees. (don't worry, Zelkova is not vulnerable to Elm disease, or at least it's highly resistant) Suzi: Those palms that you see popping up everywhere in Southern California are called Mexican Fan palm. It is actually considered an invasive species because its seeds are carried by the birds and often start popping up new palms in other people's yards, or along the side of creek beds. Besides the seeds often having a way of sprouting up in strange places, the actual palm tree itself does not behave "invasively" (not like ficus). In fact the shape of its fronds are fairly interesting, it is very drought tolerant, and some people in SoCal choose to plant one as an ornamental.