October 2009

Don't believe what they say about southern California and the seasons; Los Angeles has seasons, and they're very much marked by the flowers visible almost everywhere you look. You'd never know you were in a dessert. Spring is heralded by the appearance first of the Coral trees (especially along San Vicente Boulevard). Coral Trees or Erythrina are the official tree of Los Angeles. Their blooms are soon followed by the Jacarandas and Bottle Brush (Callistemon) trees blooming. CallistemonThese trees are permanent residents now, but none are native plants. You'll see Magolias with a few blooms all year round, but they burst into full bloom in the summer, as do Paradise Vine and vivid purple hybrid Clematis and Morning Glory and Passion Fruit vines. Passion fruit vineSeveral varieties of Jasmin mark the late spring and early summer, and scent the air especially at dawn and dusk. There are houses that are almost consumed by the giant Bougainvillea vines, in pink or scarlet, Wisteria, and Honeysuckle. Roses thrive in Los Angeles, and most roses bloom at least twice

Read more >