Update: Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Densiflora)

The time has come for Baby Manzanita to leave the security of his nursery 'can' & start his progression to adulthood. Potted him in a training tray, which he will probably outgrow before fall. 

Root pruning was minimal, as is minor foliage pruning, even at this early age to keep him "within bounds"..these trees have a tendency to grow "helter-skelter" in all directions if not controlled.

You can access the full history of the Howard McMinn Manzanita here, or use the Tree Inventory Menu.

Intro: Japanese Boxwood

'Green Beauty' cultivar is a selected variety of Buxus microphylla var. japonica, which is native to the islands of Japan. While its wild ancestors thrived in the mountainous regions of East Asia, this specific cultivar was developed for its superior ability to maintain a deep, emerald-green hue even in the face of summer heat and winter chills—conditions that often cause other boxwoods to turn a brassy orange

Acquired: April 2026; Home & Garden Center: Cost: $6.00 (1/2 Off Sale)

Boxwood is often referred to as "Man’s Oldest Garden Ornamental." It was so popular in ancient Rome that Pliny the Younger famously wrote about his Tuscan villa, describing his boxwood hedges clipped into the shapes of letters spelling out his own name—the first century version of a personalized lawn sign!

Update: Italian Stone Pine

Yesterday, I re-potted "the Stoner" into what may become his 'forever home' after spending 4 months on the patio in a training pot. If you're interested, you can see/read the history of this plant on his photo/history page, but here are before & after photos:

May 2026

Jan 2026

                             

I've done very little to this tree "topside" or above-ground, but had to remove the tap root & prune the feeder roots to make a good fit. It's hard to see from the photo, but he is showing new growth at the tips of the upper branches, which will become candles. That means it's a good bet that this tree will survive & grow.

Just for the Fun of It - Wk 2

The tomatoes have grown appreciably, visibly, although I'm not sure that's it's easily seen in the photo. They don't get much morning sun, but get about 4 hours of afternoon sun. I will leave them located where they are for now, but the summer afternoon sun may be too much for them.

The plastic pots are on the left side, terra-cotta, on the right..growth looks to me about equal..the plants in terra-cotta seem like they are slightly ahead of the plants in plastic containers.

The Hatch Chili Peppers did not grow as much as the tomato's, but the individual plants that I transplanted to 4" pots did show a growth spurt. This photo also shows an older pepper that was propagated a couple of weeks before the others..

These guys get mostly morning sun (2-4 hrs) & some afternoon sun & but they're not growing as fast as the tomato's, in spite of getting more sunlight.

In the case of both, all I want is 1 plant, of each..I propagated expecting a 50% attrition rate, but they fooled me & all of them lived. If they all grow-on, I will give away the extra plants.

New Addition to Tree Inventory

Pittosporum Tenuifolium - 'Beach Ball Kohuhu'

The 'Beach Ball' is a variant of the Kohuhu ( a fast growing evergreen that grows to 20 to 30 feet) and is much smaller (3'-4') w/ glossy medium-green leaves on dark stems. Native to New Zealand, this plant was first introduced to California in 1865. This plant has since naturalized in California & Australia.

Largely. indifferent to soil types, if well-drained; thrives in full-sun to partial shade; requires low-to-moderate water; often pruned in a spherical shape. Seaside tolerant, hardy to 15-20 ° F, does particularly well in cooler coastal gardens.

Acquisition: March 2026; Home & Garden Center; Cost: $10.00 (50% off)

Click-on Beach Ball Kohuhu for the Photo/History page or use the Tree Inventory Menu