They will stand…

They Will Stand...

Become One

Highlighting the Benefits and importance of growing California Native Plants.

Plants are the New Pets. Pets are the Babies and the babies are like…

Those exotic animals only the Rich can afford and the Crazy Must Have. CORRECT. IT IS OKAY. I know you are with me on that one. And You and I are going to grow through the rocks. As Always, I had the deepest thoughts exchange with those who demonstrate it best. Pinyon Pines growing Through … Continue reading Plants are the New Pets. Pets are the Babies and the babies are like…

To Nature

https://chaparralwisdom.org/2025/05/31/appellate-court-to-cal-fire-youre-making-the-landscape-more-flammable/#respond California Chaparral as seen in Santa Monica Mountains California Chaparral Shrubs Cover the Rock Formations Santa Monica Mountains https://videopress.com/v/SjuvsLnM?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Santa Monica Mountains, Chaparral Help support the local eco system by incorporating native plants in your gardens. California Native plants support and provide shelter to a wide range of insects and wildlife and bring beauty … Continue reading To Nature

Between the Moss and the Shrubs

Will you hear Peace. https://videopress.com/v/O1BlCnat?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true California Chaparral among the Rocks It is important to recognise, You ARE a part of Nature. And if Needed… Toyon, California native plant You Can Grow through the rocks. You can learn the quiet wisdom and eternal peace from observing nature. It is poetic. It is beautiful. It is the … Continue reading Between the Moss and the Shrubs

The Ultimate Guide on growing Tomatoes.

You and I Know, You have to Grow Tomatoes. Also, I know...

There is only ONE Reason to care about Calabasas.

There is one reason to care about Calabasas

Ever tried Coffee?

Ever tried Coffee?

Do You Know What it Takes?

Do You Know What it Takes? ...To Find the sunlight after waking up 10-12 inches below the surface? Let's Talk Potatoes, Shall we?

Do you have a backyard?

Do You have a Backyard? Any Backyard?

Forever Young.

There is no Young or Old. When you mastered being both. -Roses Hybrid Tea Rose "Neptune". Neptune forms large lavender flowers with rich sweet fragrance. Hybrid Tea Rose "Just Joey". Flowers of this Hybrid tea carry large flowers with strong fruit fragrance. Warm apricot color. Roses grow well in a variety of soils. They develop … Continue reading Forever Young.

If you think it is time to leave the planet…

Look no further They named it "the Joshua Tree" and IT DOES NOT CARE He said "if I were you I'd know full well, who owns the place, all you can do is admire and appreciate". And the place he owns is all about his siblings, the wildflowers, stunning rock formations and the wildlife. than … Continue reading If you think it is time to leave the planet…

Ever heard “you look dead”?

Know this, you MADE IT in a world full of disguise. AND, COST about 4-5 times more than all the princesses out there. This plant has been labelled dead stick plant since day one and I addressed it. He grinned at me, and said he was doing something right, being purchased at $XX.99 PLUS tax. … Continue reading Ever heard “you look dead”?

If you need to bury yourself deep..

Go for the flowers. They smell nice... But First, Work on your Pull-Ups And Learn How to Fly. Here is some inspiration Bees and the Hyacinths Bees and the Blueberry Bush My blueberry bushes (Jewel & Misty) started flowering late January, attracting bees all day long. To grow Blueberries successfully in Southern California you need … Continue reading If you need to bury yourself deep..

I Know You Get Lost in the African Desert regularly

If you do not... Go get lost in some African desert. If you get back, share your experience, if not, I know you were grateful for the info you've learnt and weren't bored. No worries, No need to thank me... I understand. Look for the Split Rock plant. Make sure the one you find has … Continue reading I Know You Get Lost in the African Desert regularly

For Those Who Do Not Know

Where to Start It all starts from the bottom. Take notes from this Dinosaur. Hyacinth FlowerHyacinth starting the show from the bottom. Plant the bulbs in Fall, approx 5in deep. The spacing isn't critical. Hyacinths above are sharing a 17in pot. If you want bigger plants they need to be separated and planted at least … Continue reading For Those Who Do Not Know

Not quite the Tropical Rain my Banana expected

I Told him to deal with it... ...And take advice from The succulents, who are growing full speed and ready to flower. In The Rain Green "Black" Rose succulent seemingly disregards it's name in winter. My Echeveria didn't appreciate me not considering it for a Christmas tree, maybe next year.. Split Rock Mimicry Plant pretending … Continue reading Not quite the Tropical Rain my Banana expected

Ripe Banana and Freshly cut Apples with notes of?

the 1950's Wrigley's Juicy Fruit? Is it what this smells like???!!! Answer me!!! This "Banana Shrub" they call it, speaks with Fragrance. You can't put your nose on it & You wish you could taste it. Today's News is Magnolia Figo (Banana Shrub) One of the Most Fragrant Shrubs for your garden. One of my … Continue reading Ripe Banana and Freshly cut Apples with notes of?

If your landlord is into Garbage and you’d rather live in a forest,

Here is some inspiration to shift your experience. Start with seed, It'll paint it green. And, no, Do not say a word. GARDEN IMPERFECT Left: January 2018, Right: April 2022 GARDEN IMPERFECT Left: December 2018, Right: January 2020 GARDEN IMPERFECT Left: March 2020, Right:November 2022 Cheers to your Pets! Cai & Kiko

A word on Gophers and such.

You are here because you know what they are and you know what they eat. Do not use poison. Right, it's not an offer to consider, just do not. Please? It affects not only your gopher but the wildlife in the area treated with poison. It KILLS the wildlife. USE OWLS. I mean it. Barn … Continue reading A word on Gophers and such.

Nature does not care…

where you are from. I told my Bottle Tree the other day that he looked Australian. He remained Silent. & I learned my lesson. He has lived in California most of his life as far as he is concerned and doing just fine. Not so sure if it's a he or a she yet. THEY … Continue reading Nature does not care…

Ever tried growing some moss you brought from Idaho?

I DIDN'T THINK SO. I AM. I will elaborate, like you need it. I brought this warrior from a short trip to Boise this summer. I am not trying hard and It's been a ride... Mostly for him. Btw.. That Table Rock Hike was brutal. It looked friendly though, at first. Guess what. Moss from … Continue reading Ever tried growing some moss you brought from Idaho?

Wanna enjoy the show? GO ALONE!

OR Better yet.. "Be the only one flowering" spoke my Purple Coneflower Echinacea. It enjoys the concert of November winds paired with 45F in SoCal and nothing will stop the beast. The only one, dancing colorfully and with ease, it made sure to make my life hard from the start. He keeps telling me: Pretty … Continue reading Wanna enjoy the show? GO ALONE!

You think YOU are special?

Think again. I made a friend today. Monti devoured a thick black spider while I was having a conversation with one of the succulents. I heard the crunch. That's how I knew we would become good friends. He knew I was there from the start. I learned a few things. My friend is into posing … Continue reading You think YOU are special?

Let them Fight.

If you choose to have it shipped, fasten your seat belts and do not give up. I received this Cacao Plant (Chocolate Tree) and planted it on August 13 (see update below). All it's leaves were gone within a span of two weeks. Cacao Tree, like most tropical plants, prefers acidic soil. The best thing … Continue reading Let them Fight.

How much do you appreciate the silence?

This place presented me with the greatest gift of silence and unique alternative beauty only an open space can provide. Soda Lake, Where the toxins dissolve in the heat of summer and thoughts drift away into ... Silence These photographs offer a general feel of the soil texture, native vegetation and the area surrounding the … Continue reading How much do you appreciate the silence?

Honestly, graffiti in NATURE…thoughts.

Whatever you wish to call it, graffiti, tagging...I call it all garbage. Everyone understands the "experience of nature" differently but one remains firm in my mind and I will say it politely: You should not be alive if you spray paint on "Just a rock, just a cliff, (just who cares) mountain side, just a … Continue reading Honestly, graffiti in NATURE…thoughts.

How to set up a small imperfect garden pond.

The best of us call it a Water Feature. But I'll tell you exactly what it is. It's a container (pond container) you buy at your local Home Improvement store, fill the bottom with 3-4in heavy clay soil (you get on a local hike, choose the one where you hike up a mountain, more on … Continue reading How to set up a small imperfect garden pond.

If You break, keep on flowering.

This plant can do it, so can you Silver Ragwort The creation we are looking at here is a Mediterranean native, patina silverish sage colored plant with deep yellow flowers. That is how I see it. They call it Dusty Miller for whatever reason. The plant that I saved from a local Ralphs grocery store … Continue reading If You break, keep on flowering.

California Chaparral vs CalFire

Within a few weeks, Nature in California will be facing a decisive event.A twenty year legal effort to get Cal Fire to develop a plan to save lives and property from wildfires, rather than clearing millions of acres of native habitat, will finally be heard by the California State Court of Appeal.Our arguments are strong … Continue reading California Chaparral vs CalFire

Dudleya

Told me… There is nothing like Winter Rain If you want to Grow Dudleya succesully, you need to understand, not one plant except tomatoes (they won’t die) will do well in compost mix (miracle Grow and such). They will sell it, because you will buy it. And your plant MAY be fine for a year … Continue reading Dudleya