I feel your pain, because I really have struggled with germinating Salvia apiana, mellifera and clevelandii this year. A great book (sold by the CA native plant society and elsewhere) is "Seed Propogation of Native California Plants". I have to admit I'm considering trying gibarellic acid for the recalcitrant native seeds. If you have enough seeds to experiment, you might try the "baggie method" as well. Here is a link that might be useful: the baggie method

Yes, Fremontodendron is generally listed as a zone 8 or 9 plant - zone 7 may very well prove too cold for any long term survival. It is considered just borderline hardy here in my zone 8 climate. And as flora notes, it is much more closely aligned with ceanothus as far as cultural requirements are concerned as well - low fertility soil, excellent drainage and minimal watering. It also tends to be similarly short-lived. FWIW, both the elder and the flannelbush are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a soilborne fungus that attacks the vascular system of plants and can easily result in the dieback and/or death of plants such as you describe. And it is rather easily transmitted from plant to plant by mechanical means via contaminated garden tools, like shovels or pruners. Taking samples of the affected plants to your local extension office for diagnosis might be advised. They can also enlighten you on how to deal with this rather widespread pathogen.

You should check this one out! The Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society's 11th Annual Drought Tolerant Plant Festival "Water Wise Dollar Wise" Learn how landscaping with drought tolerant plants can save you money and water. � Interior Educational Displays � Exterior Demonstration Gardens � Raffle � Silent Auction � Plant and Pottery Sale � Craft sales Saturday�s Guest Speakers Include: Lili Singer, "California Natives in the Garden" sponsored by the Theodore Payne Foundation(11:15am) Mike Buckner, "The Art of Staging Succulents" (2:15pm) Chief Mark Stormes from the LAFD, "Vegetation Management in the Los Angeles City Brush Zone" (1:00pm) Nels Christianson, "Gardens of Brazil", sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Bromeliad Society (10:00am) Sunday Kids Day � Arts and Crafts � Create Father�s Day Gifts � Pot -A -Plant � Games �Educational Gardens Drought Tolerant Plant Festival Saturday June 11th 9am to 5pm (Lectures start at 10:00) Sunday June 12th 9am to 4pm (Kid�s events start at 10:30) Sepulveda Garden Center 16633 Magnolia Blvd Encino, CA 91436 For Times and More Information 818 220 8005 or www.lacss.com Our website http://www.waterwisedollarwise.com Here is a link that might be useful: The LACSS 11th Annual Drought Tolerant Plant Festival June 11th and 12th 2011

Its not a grass I'd expect to see in a nursery. Seeds are readily available online. Plants of the Southwest carries it, they are a great place to order seed packets. It is recommended in western states as a native replacement for S. tenuissima because its not as aggressive but anyone wanting to grow it should know it is an aggressive seeder in garden situations. The seedlings are deeper rooted than the stipa and a lot harder to pull out. I removed it from the back and only grow it on the Hell Strip. My sister grew it in Kansas and ended up with an invasion in her rich soil. It loves to come up in the crack between my curb and the street and they are impossible to pull out if you don't pull them when very small. All that aside, its a fast growing, very pretty grass with fine leaves and I grow it down by the street where is dry and hot. Its a great grass for the right situation --- best used in a mixed or mass planting in difficult areas with poor, dry soil. You brought up worries about your dog concerning the cactus. Actually I don't think that would be a problem but this grass is not recommended around animals because the seeds can get lodged in skin, eyes and ears causing injury or infection. The stipas are supposed to be just as bad.