Rain

Rain has been a blessing and a curse. Our water supply needs water and our plants need the water but, it has really hindered our ability to finish projects in a timely manner.

Spring blooms in La Crescenta

Great local nursery

Persson's Nursery in Pasadena.

Boston Ivy

Have you ever wondered what that plant was growing on your wall or on your friends wall?Here are a couple pictures of my favorite vine to use to cover a block wall. It is called commonly Boston Ivy or Parthenocissus Tricupidata. It does well in poor soils and is deciduous in the winter. It requires part to full sun to thrive with minimal fertilization. It presents black berries and seeds.








The plan has a beautiful red foliage in the spring when it first emerges and in the fall when the leaves change color in preparation for winter sleep.

Camphor trees

I planted a beautiful camphor tree this past weekend in my front yard and it fits perfect with our home. This tree has a unique shape and branching pattern. We were looking for a tree that is not deciduous and would have a unique look for our street. Camphor fit perfectly.

Camphor is most commonly used as street or city trees because they are very hardy(this is why we choose it). They are moderate growers and give a different look depending on the time of the year here in Upland, California where we live. Cinnamomum camphora or camphor laurel is native to Japan and China where it has been used for timber and scented oils for many years. The camphor tree is a broad-leaved evergreen that is often twice as wide as it is tall. It grows to 50-to-100 feet tall. There are some awesome examples here along the streets of Upland. This tree is a heavy seedling producer, so be prepared to manage the spread. Birds love to hang out in camphor trees. In the spring, the tree produces spiky white flowers which then follow small black berries.