Everything looks great B-should really start moving as we enter the second half of the season,nice job!

Very nice. Where did you find a frostproof gardenia of that size? It looks great! Also in your front yard whats that colorful purple plant.

Everything looks very good and are probably establishing their roots at this time.
The real challenge is getting them through their first winter. In a few years all those plants are going to blend in great together.

Good luck!

Nice job! I agree with the crappy weather. My bananas love the rain but my washys are praying for dry weather!

It all looks really great! How cold do you get at your place? I was wondering because I think I see a yucca guatemalensis there, the red cordyline australis, papyrus and of course, the washingtonia. Will they need any protection in the winter?

Also, let me suggest you plant some hesperaloe parviflora. They are very versatile and evergreen (they are sometimes refered to as the daylily of the desert).

Thanks all.

Jim: I have noticed some better growth now that we're having some more typical weather.

Tropical: I got the gardenia at our local Lowe's - $20. I'm guessing the purple plant you are referring to is purple heart.

Cali: it gets cold. I am in probably the coldest 6a in the country. Average highs and lows here should be 82/60. We've been well below that with most nights in the 50's this summer. AC has only been on for 5 days. I don't know about the yucca. I only have one that I don't know the ID on which is this one:

{{gwi:1146399}}

The rest are rostrata, treculeana, variegated filamentosas, and either gloriosa or aloifolia (I forget which). The one picture above I plucked from the beach in OBX last year, so I suspect it also is either gloriosa or aloifolia.

Ample protection will be needed for several things. I've been looking for hesperaloe but nobody has had it, plus I don't think it is very deer resistant which is my number 1 problem.

Looks good brad congrats !

I guess each part of the country has its own surplus of plants. Hesperaloe are quite common plants in nurseries here. It's clear the climate zone dictates the plants available. Great job in what you're doing. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. I actually did find a frostproof gardenia on ebay, but I cant buy it now because I dont have anywhere to put it! Good luck and keep us updated!

If the leaves on that yucca are stiff and pointy,I would say it's Y. Aloifolia