Plant of the Week - Calandrinia grandiflora

Not many plants can compete with the showiness of calandrinia. A succulent requiring little water and little care (other than well drained soil), calandrinia will delight with its mounding grey-green form and neon purple flowers. It has a mounding habit, but can become open in the center due to the weight of the stems. I find a little support goes a long way, such as the wire fence these above are using at Flora Grubb in San Francisco. I have even seen them planted in median strips along a busy boulevard, so you know it's a tough plant! A very unusual addition to one's garden.

Plant of the Week - Iris sp. (Bearded Iris)

For me, nothing reminds me more of the budding summer season than the scent of bearded iris. Growing up in Colorado, the first blooms of these beauties always coincided with the last day of school, and have been one of my favorites ever since. Requiring relatively little care, iris are a great addition to summer borders, tucked amongst summer blooming perennials like salvias and coneflowers. Iris rhizomes prefer to be planted in full sun (protection from late afternoon sun is best in hot areas) and in well drained soils. Make sure the top of the rhizome is peeking above the soil for optimal blooms. Available in almost every imaginable color, and usually a recycled joy from someone else's garden, bearded iris can be a great addition (and memory) for you.

Plant of the Week - Clematis sp. (Clematis)

Its hard to compete with the showy array of blooms on this picket fence! Deciduous clematis vines are a wonderful addition to other, later blooming vines. Perfect for cottage gardens, most species need a fair amount of sun for optimal bloom, but like their roots in the shade - much like a carolina jessamine. With colors ranging from pristine white to all shades of purple and red, they are easy to blend with other landscape plantings. Try a dark purple variety behind berberis 'aurea' or cotinus 'golden spirit'. The lavender beauty above would look stunning behind a swath of heuchera 'wendy' or 'ole rochette' Use generous amounts of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool, and plant in a well drained, rich soil.

Plant of the Week - Euphorbia sp. (Euphorbia)

While nearing the tail end of their main blooming period, euphorbias have delighted us with their stunning blossoms for the last couple of months. This is one of the most versatile plants in the garden, with varieties ranging in size, color and habit to suit many applications. A drought tolerant, low maintenance, deer resistant and tolerant of varying light conditions, the euphorbia is near the top of my list for a must have in our northern California gardens. One of my newer favorites is 'Tasmanian Tiger', a 3 to 4' shrub with verigated cream and sage leaves with white flowering bracts. Its sure to brighten up any corner of the yard.

Plant of the Week - Clivia sp. (Kaffir Lily)

Clivia is a great plant for a difficult situation. It prefers dry shade, and needs to be kept out of direct sunlight to ensure its dark green, strappy leaves stay looking great. In our area, its typically a winter bloomer, showing signs of its beautiful orange (or yellow) flowers as early as February and into late spring (mine have been blooming for a solid 7 weeks now). This plant actually prefers to be close to itself, so I don't suggest dividing like most other perennials. While still a relatively pricey plant, its well worth it for the showiness it provides in dark settings. A must for your California shade garden!

Plant of the Week - Echium candicans (Pride of Madeira)

This versatile and fast growing shrub is at its prime right now. With large stalks of blue to indigo (some varieties bloom pink or white), Echium is a plant that is hard to miss. The course textured leaves provided a needed foil in the garden, and gives good form to beds and hillsides when not in bloom. Echium grows very quickly, given the right conditions of sun and well drained soil, so its probably best to start with a 1 gallon size, and give it a little time and a lot of space to grow. Growing to 10' across, this plant needs plenty of room, and its well worth the space you will make for it!

Plant of the Week - Billbergia sp. (NZ Friendship Plant)

This is definitely the most interesting plant blooming in my garden right now. This particular specimen was given to me by my mother's friend, Annette (a native of NZ). While the plant itself originates from Brazil, this member of the bromeliad family is grown all over the tropics and temperate regions. It prefers a lot of indirect light...the filtered light under my large cedar seems to keep this one extremely happy. If you'd like to have one for yourself, just let me know as it multiplies easily. The pink, blue and yellow flowers are unique and an pleasant conversation piece given the right place in your garden. I find it best in a container, where you can moniter the water and light it receives.

Plant of the Week - Pyrus calleryana (Bradford Pear)

With our first week of 'warm' weather, it definitely feels like spring. There is no way to miss the spectacular display put on by the Bradford Pear this week. It's unmistakable with exceptionally showy white flowers. Not to be confused with the evergreen pear (P. kawakami) which has already leafed out, P. calleryana is widely planted in the bay area. Its drought tolerant, an excellent three season tree, and has beautiful fall color into december. One drawback is its susceptibility to breakage, so frequent pruning is necessary for good structure. 'Aristocrat' is a variety that is less likely to have split branches, and 'Chanticlear' is a good choice for excellent fall color. Enjoy the show while it lasts!

Plant of the Week - Clematis armandii (Evergreen Clematis)

You may have missed this beautiful vine, as its not widely planted, but it's a stunner. This specimen is in my friend Gina's backyard, and I was struck with it's beauty the moment I walked in the front door. The profusion of white flowers is short lived, but definitely worth it. Pair with a summer bloomer for best effect in the garden. Clematis prefers a protected site, plenty of sun, and adequate water. The leathery green leaves provide a nice backdrop to summer and fall perennial beds, just give it plenty of support. Sometimes slow to get established, clematis will take off  (and you'll need to keep it in check) once it gets going. I'd start with a 5 gallon plant on this one.

Plant of the Week - Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)

I became aquainted with this soft leaved (and no barbs!) agave while working on the Cacti and Succulent Garden at Villa Montalvo. Forming rosettes up to 4' across, it will elongate on a stem over time and also produce pups for your friends. I think it looks great either as a specimen or planted in a mass, and will tolerate some shade (unlike most other agaves). The soft grey green color compliments just about everything in the garden, and is at home both in tropical and xeriscape themed gardens. The photo above was taken by the front entrance of a grand residence in Pacific Heights in SF. Obviously, the conditions there are ideal for this plant...its in perfect form!

Plant of the Week - Crocosmia (crocosmia)

I came across this yard in the Rose Garden neighborhood in San Jose that is planted completely in Crocosmia (with the exception of the lawn). As you can see, this hardy 'perennial' in the iris family looks stunning planted en masse. Growing from corms, there are cultivars available in a variety of shades from yellow to scarlet, most often seen in orange. This South African native multiplies easily in bay area gardens, and can be somewhat invasive especially in wet areas. I think it makes a good background planting behind summer flowering perennials such as salvias and ecinaceas. Divide every few years and transplant in fall.

Plant of the Week - Magnolia x soulangeana

Driving out of the Saratoga village along Saratoga Avenue, we're greeted this time of year by this pair of stunning deciduous magnolias. Often referred to as a 'tulip tree' (not to be confused with the true tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera), the deciduous magnolia has been hybridized much providing you with a dizzying array of choices. Different varieties and species fill over 5 pages in the Sunset western garden book. One of the earliest bloomers in our spring garden, the showy blooms give way to bold textured foliage the remainder of the season. Prune after the flower show has faded, but before the buds set for the following year.

Plant of the Week - Hardenbergia (Lilac Vine)

I've been waiting for this to be the plant of the week, and it's time has come! This early season stunner is ramping up to full bloom now, a sure sign that spring is on it's way. Hardenbergia is usually grown on some support as a vine, but will also work as a large mounding groundcover. The glossy evergreen foliage provides a good backdrop for the showy flowers, and I like to mix with vines that bloom later in the season for more year round interest. While it will tolerate full sun, I find hardenbergia is happiest with some sun protection, especially in our warmer inland areas. I have some growing in poor soil with very little sun and it does beautifully. A MUST HAVE for the Northern California garden, reminding us of why this is such a great place to live- and its only February.

Plant of the Week - Aeonium sp. (Aeonium)

Ah, the beautiful aeonium. These have to be one of my favortie succulents in the garden. These plants are low maintenance, drought tolerant (very!), showy, forgiving, and multiply to give you and your friends added enjoyment. The ones pictured here were given to me as small cuttings from my friend Roxanne (a succulent afficianado). After only a year some are almost 18" across, and thrive in the dappled shade under my deadora cedar. While tolerant of full sun (they will redden somewhat around the margins), I feel they do best with some partial protection. A. arboreum forms tall stalks up to 3', and a black variety called 'Zwartkop' is available. The Succulent Gardens in Castroville have every variety...ask me how to get yours!

Plant of the Week - Bergenia (Bergenia)

On a visit to the Rosecrucian Museum in San Jose earlier this week, I spotted drifts of bergenia planted under the palms. What a welcome sight for a dreary day. B. crassifolia is a late winter bloomer, providing spring like color in the middle of January. A good slow growing groundcover for shaded, protected sights, bergenia provides a coarse texture often needed in borders. Varieties are available with white or purpleish flowers in addition to the more common pink. If snails are a challenge in your garden, this may not be the best goundcover as it gives them the perfect hiding place. While not a quick grower, the results are definitely worth the wait!

Plant of the Week - Narcissus tazetta (Paperwhites)

A popular forced bulb during the holiday season, and also one of the earliest bloomers in our winter gardens. Many of us receive these wonderfully fragrant blooms as gifts or force them ourselves to fill the home with their enchanting aroma during the holidays. Rather than throw them away after they are finished blooming, plant them in mixed borders, or near the front door to the home for next year. A gift that keeps on giving. If you have space, create a mass planting as seen above. My aunt, Nancy Harmon of Shreveport, LA,  forces many for her home every year, and afterwards are 'put out to pasture' for future years of enjoyment. I love this kind of natural and easy beauty!

Plant of the Week - Leptospermum (Tea Tree)

The chilly days of January are brightened by the gorgeous color from the New Zealand Tea Tree (L. lavigatum). This hardy large shrub (or can be trained as a small tree) is a favorite in the bay area landscape. Blooming early and profusely, this drought tolerant shrub provides color when much of the lanscape is lacking this time of year. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, its a good choice for problem areas. Flower colors range from red to pink to white, and the shrub has a very fine texture which makes for a good backdrop for larger textured summer and fall perennials and grasses.

Plant of the Week - Rosmarinus (Rosemary)

The first week in January and drifts of blooming rosemary tell us that spring is on its way. Rosemary is a tough plant that serves a number of functions, from groundcover to formal hedge. It will thrive in hot, sunny locations with little supplemental water, and is shunned by deer. All varieties of R. officianalis can be used in the kitchen, just make sure to collect from an area not frequented by dogs. The essential oil in rosemary has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, so try some fresh sprigs in your bath for a quick pick-me-up. Use the prostrate varieties (available in 4" or cell pack) for creeping over walls and unsightly landscape features.

Plant of the Week - Kniphofia (Torch Lily)

Kniphofia is a wonderful South African native, with some varieties blooming as early as christmas (such as in the photo above, taken Christmas Eve in Menlo Park). This plant mixes well with grasses and other perennials, and prefers a moist, well drained soil. I think it looks best fronted with other plants as the foliage of kniphofia is not particulary attractive. 'Malibu Yellow' seems to be the most widely available yellow cultivar in this area, and many red orange varieties are available. Deer will rarely touch this plant, so it's a good choice for areas where they are a concern.

Plant of the Week - Salvia mexicana 'limelight'

This is one variety of salvia you won't want to be without! Beautiful chartreuse green and blue flowers adorn the plant july through late fall (mine is still in full bloom - December 21!). Cut back hard in late winter/early spring for next season's growth. With a height of up to 6', and fairly fragile stems, I've found it does best with some moderate pruning throughout the summer to keep good form. Next year I will definitely build a wooden cage to keep it supported. Like all salvias, this cultivar is VERY attractive to hummingbirds, providing nectar throughout the late summer and fall.