Check out the TESTIMONY in these forums of the power of organic materials to tame/ammend clay soils. I don't recall what water source that the Olivenhein German/Swiss settlers had when they planted olive trees ... but do recall that dry-farming [beans] was used for years. You didn't mention what water source you have [well?] and that will make a difference in what kinds of trees/shrubs will thrive. So, may I suggest that you start with truck loads of [FREE]tree trimmings to create compost piles and to mulch? Ditto for FREE horse manure [lots of horse owners in RSF will be happy to contribute.] Check out the drainage patterns on your lot ... including whatever elevation/terrain changes you plan on. Also the prevailing wind patterns will help in tree placement. Also, check for fire safety in placing your trees. My insurance carrier canceled me because I wouldn't trim my Deodar 30 ft up from the ground. With a history of wild fires, insurance companies are getting antsy. As for what trees to select .... why not check out QUAIL GARDENS .. they will have both exotics and natives to see how large they grow and under what conditions they thrive. My mother has a huge 50 year old Torrey Pine tree in her yard. [Encinitas] It is drought tolerant .. to a point. Certainly striking. I had 50 ft. Cherimoya trees in my Vista yard and have one of equal size in my Escondido yard. Very attractive trees and I think will fit into your zone. Though not that large, I hope you will find space for Ceanothis Here is a link that might be useful: San Diego Native Plant Society

I had a good laugh cuz I coveted someones plants once myself many years ago in my old neighborhorhood. In answer to #10, I don't know Polish, so can't help there. But I was wondering if this lady is out in her front yard every evening when you run by. If so, I would cultivate her by start waving, smiling, and saying something like "Hi", "Good evening!" or "I love your gardens", "Nice weather today", etc. And keep it up every time you see her. After you've done that enough stop for a rest in front of her house when she's outside and start talking to her. Even pointing at a brug and telling her how beautiful it (or all) is. She may understand nothing you say or understand more than you or others realize. If she's a really elderly lady, could she be living with one of her childen? Maybe you could stop by there on a weekend afternoon, knock on the door, and see. All you have to say when someone opens the door is that you stopped to tell them that they have lovely garden. I have yet to meet a gardener who didn't love talking about their gardens, and only two who didn't want to share even their weeds. If someone who speaks English is also living in the home, somewhere during the conversation ask if when they prune their brugs if they would be willing to part with some of the cuttings instead of putting them into the trash can. Offer a plant/plants/cuttings in trade. There was one older gentlemen (many moons ago) who never talked to anyone in the neighborhood, but had one of the loveliest front gardens I've ever seen. After many years of watching this absolutely beautiful front yard develope, change, and grow, I couldn't stand it any more. I took some home made cookies over and met him and his wife (didn't even know he had a wife all those years) and thanked him for 'sharing' his garden with me, even if he didn't know it and I only did it from the sidewalk. I could never describe their back gardens in a million words. There are very few things that have ever taken my breath away, and that was one of them. I can't tell you how many wonderful hours I spent in their back yard after that and how many times he would walk to my house and spend hours giving me tips and helping me with garden related stuff. As far as the brugs by your hot tub, how close would they be? Brugs can be incredibly messy plants. They can also become quite large so will the plant itself be in full sun all day? They would do best with morning sun and afternoon shade or dapple shade down there. I'm guessing at that as I live in a Zone 9 climate (up by Sacramento) and I have some brugs that get full sun and seem to do ok (Charles Grimadli and Frosty Pink). However, I do water 'em heavily twice each day during the hottest part of the summer. I got several brugs to add to my gardens from the link below. Due to the summer heat, I don't know if she ships right now. But the brugs and hibiscus that I've gotten from here (Seed Sprout) have all been in excellent health and huge sizes and the prices are very good. Hopefully someone from your area can give you a better idea about planting them down there. Jenna Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Sprout

Elizabeth, I live in San Diego also and have planted several giant timber (bambusas). My biggest/oldest is an Oldhamii that is probably about 5-6 years old and is about 30 feet tall (BEAUTIFUL but BIG!!!). I also have textillis and Vitatta bamboo in addition to others. I think the prettiest is the Vitatta since the yellow culms are an beautiful contrast to the big green leaves, however, this is the one that arches the most from my giants. The most upright (straight) grower I have is the Textillis (weaver's) bamboo. The other variety of giants I own have not been in the ground for even one year so I can't comment on those yet. I really think for your criteria Textillis would be a good option. In my experience, although a lot of people are intimidated but the eventual growth-rate of giant bamboos, just remember you can always control it. When clump diameter reaches it's desired size, you can simply cut down any new shoots that will pop up. Bamboos are a lot of fun and almost addictive. I say go for it. If you need a contact to a really good independent bamboo nursery let me know. I know a guy in Vista that I've gotten almost ALL my bamboos from and he's MUCH cheaper than big nurseries.

Okay, here are photos of what I bought:Aechmea Orlandiana PinkAechmea Friederike variegatedAechmea Zebrina PinkOrthophytum lemei AS721I think this is the same plant at the show.Orthophytum Sucrey X GrukeniiClose-up of top, which has fallen over.Vriesea Fosteriana Red Chestnut. I've not yet potted the vriesea or the Orlandia, but will do that this afternoon. I have misted them with water, however, and they look fine. I'm not sure about the Orthphytum. I'd never bought these before, and they looked different and were less expensive, and so I decided to go ahead and buy them. The Sucrey looks like it will give me plenty of new plants, but I'm not sure about the Lemei. It is supposed to make pups on the side but did not have any. Also, the Friederike did not have a pup, but I hope it will make one eventually. I have similar Aechmea, but not that exact one. There were Neoregelia that I wanted to buy, but they cost from $150 to $300, and so I skipped them. I also bought four orchids (three epidendrums, which do very well here outdoors) at a wholesale orchid nursery in Vista on the way back. The owner is a friend of the friend I went to San Diego with.