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Santa Cruz, CA
Looking for Vitis californica
I am trying to find two Vitus Californica "Walker Ridge" to plant on a trellis. I live in Santa Cruz, CA and am unable to locate a source for this plant and my local nurseries haven't had any luck ...
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Santa Cruz, CA
Redwood as a Screening Tree for Santa Cruz Garden?
I have a small yard in Santa Cruz, CA and we have to hide/distract from a power line. My husband is demanding a redwood. Is this sane? The space it will have to grow in is about 20x20. What species of...
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Santa Cruz, CA
Source of seeds for non-native Artemisia pontica
Hi, I've tried unsuccessfully to find seed for "roman wormwood" "Artemisia Pontica" Do you carry this or do you know a source in the US to get the seed? Much Thanks.
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Soquel, CA
Why are our Euphorbia myrsinites plants dying in Soquel, CA?
Some of our Euphorbia myrsinites die in our garden for reasons we cannot understand. Do you have any explanation or suggest area we should be looking for?
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Soquel, CA
Solution for erosion on steep slope in California
Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, I have a serious hillside problem in Santa Cruz County resulting from the recent deluge of rain. Steep to sheer now with no plants left on it after the hill slide washed to th...
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Aptos, CA
Shrub for privacy screen
Hi, We live in Aptos near the ocean. However, what you suggest to plant near our fence to screen out the one story house behind us. They have a large tree near in their backyard that sits against our...
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Ben Lomond, CA
A blue-eyed grass with salmon-colored blooms?
Has anyone heard of a blue-eyed grass variety that has salmon-colored blooms? I have a photo if needed.
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Los Gatos, CA
Growth on miniature palm in Los Gatos. CA
I think that my miniature palm is infested with some sort of bug or fungus. Last night it looked fine but this morning there was a large bright yellow fuzzy looking growth on the trunk. Any input wo...
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Los Gatos, CA
Plants for under a fountain splash line in California
What plants should we plant under our fountain's splash line in our Mediterranean style courtyard? The area will get wet from the fountain's splashing and have "full" sun. We are on a rock ridge...
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Saratoga, CA
Problems with non-native Maytens tree in Saratoga, CA
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, My friend's Mayten tree (green spray)leaves are yellowing and we don't know if it is under-watered (surrounded by grass and fed with a time sprinkler for 20 min. maybe 2 or ...
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Morgan Hill , CA
What is causing leaf drop on oak in Morgan Hill CA?
Dear Mr Smarty Plants: We have a large, young Valley Oak (about 20 yrs) which is dropping leaves even now in early summer. I have a feeling that the problem might be an invasive weed that is flourishi...
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Morgan Hill, CA
Problems with non-native Potato vine from Morgan Hill CA
Greetings from Morgan Hill. CA. I have moved into a home that has a fairly mature (10 years +/-) Potato Tree which has some blue/purple flowers but very few new leaves, it looks almost barren. It gets...
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Cupertino, CA
Yellowing leaves on non-native podocarpus Cupertino CA
I recently planted a podacarpus granular and over half the leaves are turning yellow some are dead. What could be the problem? Is there something I can feed it? What should I do? I planted four & the...
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Gilroy, CA
Getting rid of algae on dirt and patio
Algae and on patio and dirt, and how to get rid of same?
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Gilroy, CA
Drought tolerant plants for Gilroy, California
We live in Gilroy, CA. We want to plant drought tolerant plants native to our area. We already have native sycamores and oak trees, manzanita and snowberry shrubs, and we have a list of local wildflow...
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Gilroy, CA
Moving potted plants from California to Georgetown TX
Hi, I am moving from Gilroy CA to Georgetown TX, I have many potted plants I would love to take with me but I am not sure what would survive in my new location. These plants have been cared for so ma...
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San Jose, CA
California native bunch grasses good for erosion control
In response to your answer about deep rooted native plants good for erosion control, don't forget to include native bunchgrasses. here in California, our bunchgrasses have roots that go 10ft, 20ft de...
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San Jose, CA
Plant identification of tree with strawberry-like fruit
On my walk home from work i noticed a red berry i had never seen before. It is soft like a strawberry, bumpy all over but the bumps are not individual as a raspberry has. It grows on a tall bush (very...
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San Jose, CA
Allowing oak leaves to pile up at base of tree from San Jose CA
Greetings, Is it a good idea to allow oak leaves to pile up at the base of our California live oak? Will that cause fungus, mold and rot that hurts the tree? Thanks for your advice.
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San Jose, CA
Can I trim back my 20 ft Yucca plant?
I have a yucca tree which is about 20 ft. tall, has four main trunks. I would like to prune it to approx. 10 ft. but wonder if that will kill it or if new shoots will come out up near the cut.
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San Jose, CA
Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA
I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA.
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