Update: Japanese Maple

 (except from Photo/History page : Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)

The JM is "leafing-out", replacing the leaves that survived the die-off before dormancy & back-budding on the remaining lower branching & trunk. 

Now I can start thinking about how to take care of this little tree & shaping, pruning & styling him over the next few weeks, while doing my best to keep him healthy & alive in our semi-desert environment. Some plants just refuse to die, even though in similar circumstances, the Acer's are known as tender plants, our Acer continues to surprise me.

April 5, 2026

Update: Laurel Sumac

(excerpt taken from Photo/History page for Laurel Sumac (Malosma Laurina )                                 

Dec 3, 2025

March 5, 2026

  April 4, 2026

Along with the other trees, the Laurel Sumac is throwing new leaves & possibly growing, although it's hard to tell. You can identify the new leaves by their color, for the most part, being lighter green or yellow turning to green as they mature. 

This photo is after minor pruning to shorten-up mostly secondary-branches..he has a tendency to become "leggy" & I'm trying to maintain his proportions, although he has become heavier on one side, which I will try to correct, as time goes on, however I am very pleased with how he has adjusted to what I call "patio life", containerized, root reduction surgery & the hot dry winds that can absolutely decimate a young plant..I do protect him from the wind, when I can, but he is hardy for such a fragile looking plant & soldiers-on

April Showers bring Flowers

(excerpt from Photo/History page: Star Jasmine

After our "heat wave" in March, this guy is ready for summer..to heck with spring! Seriously, the warm weather capped-off with an overnight rain brought out the blooms..just opening now, but you get the idea. I have not pruned him, nor will I until he is done blooming, but he easily doubled the size of his canopy..this is the best he has ever looked. Sometimes benign neglect is the most effective course of action

Dormant No More - Desert Rose

(excerpt from Desert Rose Photo/History page

The Desert Rose has been dormant for several months now, but he's waking-up from hibernation. Over the winter, I continued to water him, but sparsely, when I thought it was appropriate & he looks like he had a good sleep & is ready for the new growing season.