Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Thursday - August 16, 2012

From: Glendora, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Growing Citrus Trees in Glendora CA
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson

QUESTION:

We're considering moving to Glendora, CA (from the East Coast) and wondered if it is possible to successfully grow orange and other citrus trees that far inland? Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated! Thanks, Kevin

ANSWER:

The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. As such, we really don’t have much information on Citrus trees as they are imports from Southeast Asia and have pretty much been introduced almost anywhere that you will find them!

Having stated the official line, Mr Smarty Plants doesn’t think you’ll have much trouble growing well chosen varieties of citrus there. In fact, while checking out the general area, I found out that Glendora is in an area called “Citrus Valley”.

Still, to get good information, I would recommend contacting the local UC Davis Agricultural Extension office or perhaps a local gardening club.

[The pictures below are some colorful non-Citrus California natives]

From the Image Gallery

Lewis' mock orange
Philadelphus lewisii

California poppy
Eschscholzia californica

Creeping barberry
Mahonia repens