You can grow chestnuts in Southern California. You will need to incorporate lots of compost and gypsum in the soil prior to planting since chestnut trees (Castanea spp.) appreciate a somewhat acidic soil Chestnut hybrids are the best choices for our area. In addition to their edible crop, chestnut trees are handsome specimens growing 40 feet or taller and excellent for providing shade. You will need to plant two different varieties to be assured of a crop since trees are often self-sterile.

Variegated tail bromeliad (Aechmea Caudata var. Variegata) is one of the most cold-tolerant of the many bromeliad species, nearly all of which are tropical in origin. In their habitat, bromeliads, like orchids, are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees, often in the depression where two branches grow o

See Full Page