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

Just for the Fun of It...

 "Jerry's Patio", both the blog & my physical reality, are 99% consumed with my passion with the art & science of growing "little trees in little pots", but the reality is that tree cultivation, even of miniature stature, requires months & often years to see the results of one's effort. 

And memories of biting into a fresh tomato that actually tastes like a tomato & the satisfaction of eating the product of one's labor begins to entice..so, I decided to add a little spice to the equation & sowed both tomato & peppers a few weeks ago.

My intention is to just have one tomato plant & likewise, one pepper, but I sowed & propagated 4 of each, which have now sprouted, been potted & moved onto the patio. And I thought other folks might enjoy sharing the fun of growing these plants, with me.

terra cotta on left - plastic on right

I chose a bush tomato, supposedly specifically developed for southern California called Snakebite Dwarf Tomato, by San Diego Seed Co. These were sown on 3/8/26 & transplanted this week & moved onto the patio.

Conflicted between using terra cotta or plastic pots, I decided to run a little experiment & planted 2 of each..it will be interesting to see if one outperforms another..the winner will be the one plant that I allow to grow-on.

These are Hatch Green Chili Peppers - Big Jim by Sandia Seed Co. 'Hatch' is the term used to describe several different varieties of green pod Chile grown in SW New Mexico. Medium heat level= 2000-4000 Scoville; pods are 7 - 9"; bush 30" tall.

These are potted in 3' plastic pots, but I will be transplanting them to 4" this weekend. I may extend the terra cotta vs plastic competition, as well (just for fun).

I will report on their progress as time goes on & hope you might be encouraged to do something similar.

New Feature Added (reprint)

 (Reprint from Nov 16, 2025)

 The inclement weather this weekend has prohibited any outdoor gardening, but it has given me an opportunity to work on the blog and add a couple of features that I want to tell you about.

Translator: On the upper right-hand side of the homepage you will see a new feature labeled "Translate", with a drop-down menu that allows you to view my blog in any of 110 different languages. Try it  yourself..just "click-on" Select Language , pick a language & enjoy.

The other feature is embedded in the Blogger code (Blogger is Google's blogging software). If you "click" on any photo on the blog, it will open in a full-size version & display all of the other photos on that page as thumbnails along the bottom of the screen. You can scroll through all those photos without having to read the narrative. So, if you're searching for a particular photo, you can review them en masse' as opposed to one at a time.

Nov 17, 2025 - UPDATE:

This morning I added another new feature to the blog that seems highly appropriate after the last few days..a Weather Widget . Placed in the upper-right corner, it will most likely be the first thing you see when you log in..enjoy.

New Tree on the Patio - Red Bird Azalea

The 'Red Bird' Azalea is an evergreen, prized for it's flowers that bloom in spring-mid summer, can be grown as either decorative shrub or flowering tree.

 While technically a Rhododendron, with roots in China & Japan, some sources say that the Azalea was developed specifically for cold regions, such as North America & some Azalea cultivars are deciduous.

April 2026

The Red Bird is hardy(USDA zones: 5-9), "greedy" when it comes to fertilization & picky about it's environment..they need rich, well-drained soil, preferably on the acid side (pH 4.5-6) and will not do well in direct sun..think "understory" tree, like a Japanese MapleAzaleas and rhododendrons are often confused because an azalea is always a rhododendron, but a rhododendron is not necessarily an azalea. All plants commonly known as "azaleas" or "rhododendrons" belong to the genus Rhododendron, which has eight subgenera comprising nearly 1,000 species and 20,000 hybrids. Azaleas are found in two of these subgenera.

Acquisition: April 2026; Home & Garden Center: Price: $6.00 (1/2 off sale)

Read more about this tree @Red Bird Azalea or use the Tree Inventory Menu

Update: Mexican Weeping Pine

 This is an exerpt from the Photo/History page for Mexican Weeping Pine

The Weeping Pine has been in a nursery pot since I received the bare-root seedling, last August & I wanted to take a look at his root development & re-pot, if possible.

I was initially surprised at the sparse root growth, until I remembered that these trees are shallow rooted in the wild. I removed enough soil so that I could see that this tree has healthy, white roots, extending around the perimeter of the original root ball & it was no problem slipping him into a training pot & gave him new, fresh potting mix & topped him off with aggregate. 

He is maintaining a height of 30 inches, which is the same length as when first received. This has been a priority & concern since taking-on growing a pine tree, which normally would top-out at 30 ft. (or more) Overall, just keeping this tree alive has been a challenge, while effectively "dwarf-ing" him.

Stay tuned!

Update: Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Known as a "fast grower" these trees are often used to create windbreaks & "tree lines" & our mini-Leyland is showing signs of growth with very green foliage, as opposed to the blue-green foliage of mature trees. 

My previous experience with conifers..pine, juniper, Cypress..led me to expect slow-growth..barely perceptible..think years, not months, so I was pleasantly surprised when this leylandii showed significant regrowth in a little less than 3 months.

This tree would no longer be mistaken for a Xmas tree & I'm looking forward to what we might be able to do with this specimen. Additionally, I'm surprised at the ease of propagation via cuttings, of which I will document at some point, but for right now, I well-pleased with his progress & development.

 

Access the full Photo/History of this tree @ Leyland Cypress or use the Tree Inventory menu on the r-side of every page  

Update: Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

The Dragon has recovered nicely from 'childbirth' & I'm happy to report that both parent & child are doing well & both are showing signs of growth.

He has also regrown a substantial portion of the foliage that was trimmed, back in Dec. with new spires towering over the older, shorter plumes left from the 'flat-top' haircut I gave him.

The cutting, likewise is growing, getting taller & producing spires of his own making him look just like the mother plant. (grown from cuttings, he will exactly duplicate, or clone his parent)

Access the Photo/History for: Madagascar Dragon Tree 

 

Update: Coprosma 'Karo Red' (aka Mirror Plant)

The Karo Red may never look like he did 16 months ago, but he has survived & is continuing to fill-out his foliage in the burned areas. The canopy is not quite restored, but it appears he has adjusted well to re-potting..looks like he's "put on some weight". 

As one of the oldest specimens in the collection & his recovery from adversity, he has reclaimed his right to be a front-line tree & to be on display, permanently, I hope.

To see the full life history for this tree, click-on Coprosma 'Karo Red here or on the menu on the r-hand side of every page

 

Before & After: Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

It used to be, that just about every nursery or plant seller had a "1/2-OFF" or markdown table where the plants that were unattractive, damaged, non-sellable (at least at full price) went, as an alternative to the trash.

And that's where I found this tree..

Acquired: Dec 10, 2025 - Home & Garden Center - $7.50 + tax.

There was an accumulation of debris, dead leaves,"suckers" run amok..air roots that had become pseudo-branches, curling around & entwining the trunk. 

Some major pruning to clean-him-up & remove dead foliage & branches, including root reduction, re-potting into a training pot, I let him rest for the last 6 months.

And this is how he looks today..reduced in height from about 36 " to a compact 15". With a gnarly, twisted trunk & new foliage beginning to re-populate the canopy.

For those that might be interested in knowing more about how all this happened, you can access a complete photo-history at Creeping Fig

You can also access the Photo/History page for this tree & all of the trees in our collection by using the menu on the r-hand side of every page.

Update: Cape Honeysuckle (tecomaria capensis)

(excerpt from Photo/History page for: Cape Honeysuckle (tecomaria capensis)

Now this is more like what I've had in mind..the canopy is developing, looking the best I think it's ever    been..the rock still isn't right, but I think it will find it's place, eventually.

April 2026

Update: Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

 exerpt from the Photo/History Page for Star Jasmine

April 10

The Jasmine is in full-bloom. Not bad for an $8.00 plant from Walmart! My first (successful) "Blooming Tree", but not to be the last. This may even encourage me enough to try (another) Azealea.

Update: Hibiscus (Rosa sinensis) 'Brilliant'

 (excerpt from Photo/History page for Tropical Hibiscus project: 

April 10

April 2026

Removed the "sacrificial" branch & the Hibiscus immediately rewarded me with new growth from the stump left behind. I took the branch because it was foliating, instead of back-budding on the trunk & branches...as you can see now, that problem is solved. There is new growth from both branches & the main trunk. 

    

If you've followed this project, you know that it's one-big crapshoot, starting with my predilection for      "projects" & cheap raw material. Quite frankly, I'm more than a little surprised that this strategy is working out better than I expected. 

He's only been in this pot for 2 months, but I would like to downsize again, however, I don't want to interfere or inhibit the foliage..I've been hearing about using growboxes & that may be the solution for this tree.. I need to do some research.

Update: Cape Honeysuckle II (tecomaria capensis)

 (excerpt from Photo/History page: Cape Honeysuckle 

April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026

Just 3 months in the training pot, but Honeysuckle II(a) slipped right into a tray without a problem. Minor pruning on both ends, top & bottom & it looks like he was born to it.

Honeysuckle II(a)

One could never guess that this specimen had major surgery less than 6 months ago..I probably could have skipped the plastic tray & gone directly to a ceramic container, but I want the trunk & base (nebari) to mature & to "put some age" on this tree before we go any further.

Introduction: Dwarf Pomegranate (Punica Granatum 'nana')

This showy, dense, dwarf tree displays attractive orange-red single flowers at an early age, followed by bright orange-red ornamental fruit. Excellent for containers or for use in the garden. A very effective bonsai specimen. Thrives in hot, dry summer areas. Deciduous.

Acquired: April 2026 ; Source: grower/breeder (commercial) ; 

This tree tolerates full sun & will thrive in a Mediterranean climate (such as so. Cal) & is frost hardy to some degree & drought tolerant, once established. 

Our tree arrived after 5 days "on the road", but a little frazzled around the edges.

A good drink of water & a few minutes to recover was all that was needed for this resilient plant to look like he hadn't just completed  a cross-country trip.

I'll let him rest now, for a couple of days & allow the plant to acclimate to his new home, before re-potting.

April 8, 2026

After a rest & some minor pruning to clean him up, I re-potted the 'nana' in a small tray. Root pruning is always "dicey" & I had to do some hard pruning on the roots & root ball. This plant had surprisingly well developed roots, in addition to the tap root..I removed the tap root & 2-3 woody roots, but kept all of the feeder roots intact. (feeder roots are small, white & usually surround the root ball like a skirt)

(a Photo/History page has been created for this tree & added to the Tree Inventory menu)

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