Yesterday I bought some plants hoping for color in the yard next year. There is sure a lot more choice here for xeric plants! I have no plan, so I'm in "buy one of everything and see what lives" mode.

I bought an Emu bush (Eremophilia) and desert cassia (Cassia nemophilia), both Australian natives that I have seen growing locally. And I found the fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla - I think) also a chuparosa (Justicia californica).  The fairyduster grows native, I think the chuparosa might as well although I've only seen it in landscaping here; I have seen it in the wild out in Anza-Borrego State Park.  There is a lot of brittlebush all around this property and I think I saw some seedlings near our fence, so I'll try to protect them.

Started digging the holes for them, got lucky with the first one and only ran into two rocks. The next one not so lucky, I could not get past a couple big rocks. As I was stuffing the plant into the smallish hole I was really hoping it doesn't have sensitive roots like bouganvillea. Guess I'll find out! And oh my but that clay is sticky. It would sure be fun to dig some up and see if I can make something out of it. In any case I'm not going to get any plant bigger than a one-gallon pot now, not unless I can find someone else to dig the hole.

I have a place where I'd like to add some more cacti and succulents. One of the things I like about our front yard is that it looks very park-like; lots of trees and shade and very uncluttered, but it does need some areas of interest. I'll plan that one out before I buy anything.

Cyndi

After hearing from you all in your quest to help me figure out a plant, I realize how much I miss our gardenchat.  How are people fairing now that winter in either over or nearly over?

Here in the Sacramento Valley we are in full spring mode. Bulbs, trees, etc blooming.  Veggie garden is planted.  Allergies are horrible this year after all the rain that we got.

Made an impulse buy of a White Fairy Magnolia shrub.  The flowers smelled heavenly and I was sold at one sniff.  Got it home with the help of a friend, but now need to get someone out to dig a hole (through a big tree root) to get it in the ground.  Since I hurt my wrist last Fall I have had to rely on others to do major digging and certainly sawing. (although I did briefly try to saw through it before I came to my senses this evening.  And then sat with an icepack on my wrist for the next 30 min).

Here is a link to the magnolia.  http://www.tesselaar.com/plants/fairy-magnolias/fairy-magnolia-white/

Theresa