Want to add a burst of color and fragrance to your yard? Plant the California lilac. These beautiful, aromatic and hardy plants have a place in even the most California-friendly and water-efficient ...

A bee-busy, massive California lilac bush in Santa Monica, the floppy, Dr. Seuss-like dune sedge in La Canada Flintridge, the mountain-inspired mix of California buckwheat, sagebrush and black sage in ...

May 13—Ceanothus is a diverse group of shrubs called by the common nicknames "Wild lilac" and "California lilac", since the majority of species are native to California. It's easy to find a spot for ...

For gardeners trying to conserve water, xeriscape gardening promotes the use of drought-tolerant plants. When it comes to xeriscape gardening, the ideal plant combines drought-tolerance with beauty, ...

Editor’s note:This is one in a series about adding native flora to neighborhood landscapes. Gardeners starved for some ideas might find inspiration lurking in the hills around North County. Recent ...

This is one part in a weekly series featuring the UC Davis Arboretum “New Front Yard” series, 41 drought-tolerant and beautiful plants well adapted to our region. Pruning needs: Little or none; prune ...

Ceanothus is a fast grower – and there's one to suit every size of garden, says Marie Staunton Ceanothus There's a ceanothus to suit every size of garden, says Marie Staunton. I have no doubt you have ...

Native to California, ceanothus is a blue-flowering evergreen shrub that likes its summers warm and dry and its winters not too chilly. In full bloom in June, the blue flowers are a glorious sight.