Practical advice on picking, planting, and caring for trees, backed by arborist knowledge and 20+ years of Northern California homeownership.
What USDA hardiness zones mean, how to find yours by ZIP code, what the 2023 update changed, the difference between zone a and zone b, and how to use your zone when picking trees.
How to grow California fuchsia in your garden. This native perennial erupts in scarlet-orange tubular flowers from August through November, pulling hummingbirds from across the neighborhood.
The best California native shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, and ferns for residential landscapes. From manzanita and ceanothus to California poppies and white sage, these plants thrive on rainfall alone.
How to grow California poppies from seed. The state flower blooms in waves of orange and gold from March through May, self-seeds year after year, and asks for nothing but sun and poor soil.
How to grow California white sage in your yard. This native shrub produces silvery foliage, fragrant white flowers, and thrives on neglect in zones 8-11 with zero summer water.
How to grow ceanothus in your garden. California's wild lilac covers itself in blue flowers every spring, needs zero summer water, and fills a yard with color on nothing but rainfall.
Which trees to buy and why
44 articlesWhere and how to plant
13 articlesKeep your trees healthy
30 articlesWhen and how to trim
11 articlesGarden projects with trees
12 articlesBrowse everything on the site
110 articlesThe trees worth planting, based on real experience.
Match your yard to the right species.
Get it right the first time.
When, how, and what not to cut.
11 reasons your yard needs them.
9 things to know before you dig.