And, Lux -- It IS difficult to photograph those purple shades. It was almost impossible in the day of film cameras, and it remains difficult in digital photography. Also, FRPP can (like 'Reine des Violettes') become quite shockingly pink, in hot weather. Many years ago, I got the dreaded "check mark" at an ARS rose show because my (really pretty gorgeous) bloom of 'Reine des Violettes' was -- poiple. Lovely washy shades of purple, just as described rhapsodically by Graham Stuart Thomas. The Rose Show Judge, who really didn't know Old Roses that well to begin with (tho he'd never admit it) lived in the San Fernando Valley. I live near the sea, where it is cool. He "knew" that RdV should be shocking pink -- not that silly purple! Jeri

Noooooooooooo . . . We don't have a gigantic Monterey Cypress in neighbor's yard . . . We have, instead, a gigantic Italian Stone pine in neighbor's yard. Of course, there is less of it now than there was before it self-pruned into our garden. We, of course, knew this was inevitable, prompting our repeated and useless requests that it be pruned before that happened. It smashed fences and arbors, barely brushing the roof and chimney as it came down, and killing most of our front lawn. Jeri

Dalina is a hybrid dahlia from the proven winners company. Since it is a hybrid, it is doubtful that the seeds would come true to the parent plant, but one just might be pleasantly surprised by what the seeds do produce. Dalina comes in 24 different colors and blooms as well as heights. check out link for info and pics Fran Here is a link that might be useful: dalina pics and info

I haven't grown this leucadendron, but San Marcos Growers indicates to 'prune hard during flowering for cut flowers or just after to maintain the vigor of the plant and to control its size'. I find that their site has some good information on growing plants in SoCal. Interesting that this one seems to like a more acid soil. I have seen it offered at local nurseries; pretty plant. Here is a link that might be useful: San Marcos Growers