Plant Guides

Cultural Information Persimmons are divided into two groups: astringent or sour fruit until they ripe, and non-astringent fruit which lacks the sourness in the immature fruit. Plant persimmons in a sunny location: they'll tolerate some shade inland. The trees don't cast a dense shadow and are ideal for general landscape use. While trees are hardy and can [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Tomatoes are an easy crop to successfully grow. Their needs are quite simple. They require full sun, warm soil and ample watering. In areas where the soils remain cool and flowering and fruiting are delayed, try using varieties developed for short growing seasons or for large plantings, use black plastic as a ground [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Artichokes are an easy-to-grow vegetable for California gardens. While plants grown from seed are available, they're generally unreliable. Plant named varieties for consistent quality chokes. Plants do very well along the coast as well as in the California inland valleys. Plant in full sun but avoid hot reflected heat from pavement or walls. Planting 1. Dig a [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Choose a sunny location protected from strong winds. You'll need to provide some means of support. Allowing them to grow along a fence will suffice. Using two or three strands of wire strung horizontally and securely fastened to posts will work as well. One male plant is enough to pollenize several female vines at [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Squash, cucumber, melon and pumpkin all have the same basic growing requirements. They perform best in warm soils in full sun, that are rich in organic matter and well-drained. Some varieties like zucchini squash are very prolific and start producing fruit at an early age while pumpkins and melons require a long growing season [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Dappled filtered sunlight is generally all that's required. Avoid direct hot sun. Humidity is important so placing your plants on gravel-filled trays or saucers that are kept filled with water will increase the humidity around the plants. Planting Select a pot size that will fit the plant snugly. When planting epiphytic orchids such as phalaenopsis [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Lilacs are a very rewarding plant for the garden. They're easy to grow and are virtually disease and insect free. Plant in a sunny to light shade location. The foliage is subject to burning during the hot summers, so plant in an eastern exposure. Planting 1. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. 2 [...] Read Full Article

Armstrong Garden's Youtube Channel Cultural Information The modern phalaenopsis is a great houseplant. Flowers can last 6-8 weeks on spikes of just a few flowers to breath-taking sprays of 20 or more. As the plants mature, more spikes develop with a mature, well-cared-for plant sustaining 2-3 spikes with several hundred flowers. Most orchids grow in the tropics [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Plant magnolias in a sunny location. Except for the Southern magnolia, the trees don't cast a dense shadow and are ideal for general landscape use and as lawn specimens. They're right at home in California but if planting in desert areas, it's wise to give them some afternoon shade to prevent foliage [...] Read Full Article

Cultural Information Plumerias are very particular about their growing conditions. They don't tolerate poorly drained soils or over-watering and are very tolerant of dry conditions once established. Plumerias do best in full sun. During the winter months, protect from frost. Plants in containers can be placed indoors during periods of extreme cold. Planting 1. Dig a [...] Read Full Article