Peonies...we live in SF and they're tricky here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lilacs. Had them growing up in the upper Midwest. Love the smell but they don't do well here in the heat.

Aaack! we are moving to East Lansing! Please tell me there is gardening hope -- for i am freaking out. It's like Zone 10 or something.

I grew up in Michigan. My mother and grandmother always had the most beautiful gardens. Truly. It's not Alaska!

Anonymous wrote:the fruit are small and yellowish, between ping-pong and tennis-ball sized. I never tried the fruit, big thorns but a nice smell to the leaves

Yep, that's a flying dragon!

the fruit are small and yellowish, between ping-pong and tennis-ball sized. I never tried the fruit, big thorns but a nice smell to the leaves

Anonymous wrote:There is a citrus of some sort (or was) growing on the front of Adams school on 19th street, and it wintered over...large tree. I've also seen citrus bushes just south of Walter Reed which are winter-hardy. I haven't been on that road this spring though

Maybe a flying dragon citrus? Did it have huge thorns? We have one and it is pretty. My husband makes a juice out of the fruit, but you get like one drop of liquid per fruit. He gets a kick out of it though!

There is a citrus of some sort (or was) growing on the front of Adams school on 19th street, and it wintered over...large tree. I've also seen citrus bushes just south of Walter Reed which are winter-hardy. I haven't been on that road this spring though

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been wanting to grow Meyer Lemon.

I have a question for the citrus growers - the Californian and the lemon and lime grower. What care do the citrus need during the fall and winter? How much light, how many hours? Do you recommend a plant light for them?

Check out this website. Great plants and information on growing them
https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/index.php

I got my trees from fourwindsgrowers.com and have been so happy with them I've bought about 5 more as gifts for people.

In the fall/winter, I place my trees directly in front of a south-facing window and I water them WAY less than I do when they're outside. (Once a week or less.) I've never used a light but suspect my lemon (I have a Meyer) would like one. The lime seems not to need one.

Anonymous wrote:I've been wanting to grow Meyer Lemon.

I have a question for the citrus growers - the Californian and the lemon and lime grower. What care do the citrus need during the fall and winter? How much light, how many hours? Do you recommend a plant light for them?

Check out this website. Great plants and information on growing them
https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/index.php

I've been wanting to grow Meyer Lemon.

I have a question for the citrus growers - the Californian and the lemon and lime grower. What care do the citrus need during the fall and winter? How much light, how many hours? Do you recommend a plant light for them?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roses, roses and more roses. However this region is not suitable for a no-spray garden.

The rose garden at the US Botanic Garden is no-spray. (My roses aren't sprayed either, but they're less impressive. ) The key is to pick the right roses.

I do have hybrid musks, some hardy Austins and a few Romanticas. I had to give up the rest which blackspotted badly.

Have you tried any rugosas, hybrid rugosas, or gallicas?

Definitely on my list. My initial purchases were hybrid teas and a ton of Austins-not wise.
I was spent all weekend drooling over the Antique Rose Emporium and Roses Unlimited websites!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roses, roses and more roses. However this region is not suitable for a no-spray garden.

The rose garden at the US Botanic Garden is no-spray. (My roses aren't sprayed either, but they're less impressive. ) The key is to pick the right roses.

I do have hybrid musks, some hardy Austins and a few Romanticas. I had to give up the rest which blackspotted badly.

Have you tried any rugosas, hybrid rugosas, or gallicas?

Anonymous wrote:I've always wanted a hydrangea. But, I haven't done my research on them to see what kind of light they need or if deer are fond of them. And, I'm not sure I have the space.

I would love to have some hosta too. I think they would be so perfect in my front bed but, in the past I've found that deer eat them like candy. And, we frequently have deer.

Hydrangea really don't need much light at all - we have a bunch in front of our north facing house just out from under the eave but under a big oak tree. They do fine. Several different kinds - but don't do oak leaf, Annabelle or other panticles where the deer can get them. Also, at Easter every year - Whole Foods sells hydrangeas in a pot. Supposedly they aren't really outdoor ones. But, I always plant mine and they stay on the smaller side - had one for over 8 years. So, there are smaller varieties. Now, if I could find a dwarf climbing hydrangea!

Also the deer will eat the hostas - annoying creatures. But, we have had good luck with deer spray for our front containers when we just want a few things out there. Just keep a bottle of deer spray and spray about once a week or after a good rain.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roses, roses and more roses. However this region is not suitable for a no-spray garden.

The rose garden at the US Botanic Garden is no-spray. (My roses aren't sprayed either, but they're less impressive. ) The key is to pick the right roses.

I do have hybrid musks, some hardy Austins and a few Romanticas. I had to give up the rest which blackspotted badly.

Kumquat grower, I think that you should eat your kumquats! They're yummy.

-fellow kumquat grower

PP, I'm the kumquat grower.

If you are successful with citrus, and if you like tangerines, there is a variety of seedless tangerine you might like. It's called a Pixie tangerine and it's a specialty item in Ojai, CA.

The history: There was a tree of unknown descent in someone's yard there, and a grower noticed that a group of kids present ignored the bowl of candy and went for the tangerines on that tree, they were so good. The grower realized it could be a gold mine. He grafted it and started trees, and now there are a few orchards of them. There are even tours! They are BEYOND good.

I bought two plants and they are planted at my home in CA. I'm only in DC for one more year so don't want to get one for here, but want to mention it for you--I think if you like citrus enough to haul them in and out of the house, you might like this!