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.