Lamenting the need to get rid of a good looking plant doesn't equal a suggestion to keep it. The Ficus could be hard-trimmed ruthlessly, but a human would resent that a plant had turned them into a slave ... when it's supposed to be the other way around. I agree with catkim that a different tree would be a better choice, all things considered. "I assume that a walkway the visually greets guests from the sidewalk would appear more welcoming than one that leads from the driveway... Do you think that I'm incorrect in this assumption?" edit: Oops ... I meant, in a word YES! (to the question about the assumption.) You should create a walk that looks like it makes the best sense for the overall property ... and a walk directly to the city sidewalk is not necessarily more welcoming. You might not want to duplicate what exists a mere few feet away. Much of it depends on the geometry of how a walk would be laid out, it's width, materials and/or finishes. I'm not saying a separate walk directly to the city walk would look bad, but that it might not be an improvement over one that ties to the drive. It depends on all the factors involved. You might explore similar houses in the neighborhood to see if others have come up with successful variations. This post was edited by Yardvaark on Sun, Oct 27, 13 at 12:25

Hi, don't think your question is being ignored, but your post may be in the wrong forum. This is Winter Sowing of seeds, outdoors but in containers for later planting seedlings out in Spring...used more by people who have real winter and sometimes frozen ground compared to your own garden. You might try the California Gardening forum, it's pretty active and I expect there are growers there like yourself who are anxious to really work outdoors in their gardens...unlike here, north of you, where it's snowing and 34F this afternoon:) - It's not typically so cold here most years.

Hi and welcome! I live in Orange County and can tell you that you might be able to find Milkweed at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar (call first). The Fullerton Arboretum's Potting Shed (open on the weekends only) also sometimes has Milkweed. If you wait for the Green Scene (HUGE garden show/sale) then you will probably be able to find loads of the stuff that weekend. The Green Scene is coming up: April 21 & 22 and tix are available now (see link below). I can send you some Asclepias curassavica seeds (Tropical Milkweed) if you are interested. Monarchs like the stuff, for sure, and it is really easy to grow. Drop me a line at tifannytdog@yahoo.com if you want some. The Fullerton Arboretum sells the seeds as well. :) tdogmom aka CalSherry Here is a link that might be useful: Green Scene info

Hi Kylie! They are still in the pots I planted them in. The pink two years ago and the Betty Marshall a year ago. I really should repot the Betty Marshall, it is very large and almost certainly root bound. It is so large though - what a job! Molasses? The other things I know about but how/why do you give them molasses? The plants from Park are OK. The Lemon Twist is quite large (approx 10"), the Cassy's Curls is medium (approx 6") and the Cherub is small (approx 3"). They were packed fairly well and I only saw one leaf in the packing peanuts that broke off. They are pale from lack of light but I've had them in partial sun and they are looking good. I think they will really take off once they are out of the two inch pots they came in. I'm going to put them in half potting mix and half organic compost. Everything I put that organic compost in grows like mad! Thanks for the welcome. I've made a few trips to Texas to visit family and ya'll have always been so friendly! LOL Wendy