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Questions From Near You

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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La Honda, CA
Deer resistance of non-native photinia from La Honda CA
Is photinia deer resistant?
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Santa Clara, CA
Purple wildflowers near Lake Tahoe
I have been tasked with a challenge to find the plant that is "dark purple wild flowers at Lake Tahoe and are a magnificent thing to see in the fall. Interestingly, these wild mountain lake flowers w...
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Santa Clara, CA
Replacing junipers on slope with wildlife garden
Gradual replacement of Juniper with natives? We have a 10 foot deep slope with less than a 45 degree angle that is all covered with old, overgrown Juniper. It does not appear to serve any purpose ...
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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
Problems with non-native orchid
I have vanda sanderiana that has wrinkled and yellowing leaves.They are located outdoors, northeast section, plenty of morning direct light and still bright even when the sun is at 3:00 oclock.I water...
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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
Trees for small spaces from San Jose CA
What tree can you plant in a corner of a yard 3ft from a fence? What is the best shade tree for a small yard with a pool?
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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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San Jose, CA
Drought Tolerant Shrubs and Perennials in San Jose, CA
Hello I am a SLT home owner in San Jose, Ca. and want to plant drought tolerant shrubs and perennials. We don't have irrigation but plan to put a timer on a nozzle and run some lines. At least I am t...
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San Jose, CA
Fast-growing tree, non-toxic for horses, in Northern California
Hello..I need to find a fast growing shade tree, native to California (I live in Northern California, south of San Francisco) that would be safe next to (but not in) my horses paddock. Obviously some...
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