Bird of Paradise and Hibiscus

hmm, I don't know, fragrance smells more like laundry detergent to me than orange blossoms.

The specific varieties are as important as the species. You might have noticed many of the varieties here are rare and interesting varieties.

That's a Royal Minnie cherry tree in the middle.

I talked to a man buying a cherry tree at Armstrongs, and he said it was developed to grow in So. CA, so maybe that's what you have. Ditto for the lilac. Thank you for the pictures, lovely garden, and I can tell how much you are enjoying it as I'm enjoying mine as well.

Spring is wonderful, isn't it?

Yes, thank you for sharing. I'm in No Cal so it would be a bit early to see a Hibiscus up here.

The lilac..is it a Descanso hybrid? They're developed for warmer weather....

I don't know about the variety. I'm assuming it was just bought at an ordinary nursery around here.

Gorgeous tree! And pretty roses. Especially Mr. Lincoln.

Royal Minnie cherry growing (and doing very well) in a large container, the spot is in partial shade and there are several little cherry fruits developing on it (though hard to see in the picture)

Yes, I did get a cherry to produce in zone 10.

I think the chill hour requirement is for fruit development not whether the tree will grow.

Here's a mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) in the garden:

It got damaged by the heat wave but sent out some new leaf growth.

If it survives through the Winter it will be the crowning achievement in the garden.

Not very likely in the PNW - we just do not have conditions that would encourage its survival, much less healthy growth: "Winter hardy to USDA Zones 11-12. Acceptable growth requires rich soils in hot and humid tropical climates, abundant water (over 150" per year), and air temperatures that do not fall below 40 degrees F. nor rise above 100 degrees F. Propagation is from fresh seed, but it takes 8-12 years before fruit first appears."

But zone pushing is always an entertaining pasttime.....as long as one is prepared to suffer more losses than successes :-)