Author: Paul Popoff

The Easiest Plants to Maintain in the California Summer

Posted on by Paul Popoff

California summers can be hot, dry, and challenging for many plants. However, with the right selection, you can enjoy a beautiful, thriving garden without constant watering and upkeep. If you’re looking for low-maintenance plants that can withstand the summer heat, here are some of the best options to consider.

1. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun
✔ Requires little to no watering once established
✔ Reseeds itself, providing blooms year after year

As California’s state flower, the poppy is perfectly adapted to hot, dry conditions. It adds vibrant orange, yellow, and red hues to any garden while requiring minimal care.

2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Loves full sun and dry soil
✔ Requires minimal watering once established
✔ Naturally repels pests and attracts pollinators

Lavender not only adds a lovely fragrance to your yard, but it also thrives in California’s summer climate with very little effort. Just plant it in well-draining soil, and it will reward you with beautiful purple blooms.

3. Agave (Agave spp.)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Thrives in drought conditions
✔ Extremely low maintenance—no frequent watering or pruning needed
✔ Adds a modern, sculptural look to landscapes

If you want a striking, architectural plant that needs almost no care, agave is a perfect choice. These succulents are built for the heat and require little to no supplemental watering.

4. Lantana (Lantana camara)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Heat- and drought-resistant
✔ Blooms all summer with little maintenance
✔ Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Lantana is a colorful, resilient flowering plant that thrives in the hottest months. It requires little watering, resists pests, and adds bright pink, yellow, orange, and purple hues to any landscape.

5. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Loves full sun and dry soil
✔ Doubles as a fragrant herb for cooking
✔ Resistant to pests and diseases

This hardy herb is perfect for California summers. It thrives in warm, dry conditions, needs very little water, and can even be shaped into hedges or borders. Plus, you can use it in your kitchen!

6. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Heat-loving and drought-resistant
✔ Provides vibrant color all summer
✔ Requires little watering once established

Bougainvillea is one of the best flowering plants for hot, dry climates. Its vivid pink, purple, red, and orange bracts create a stunning display while requiring minimal care.

7. Yucca (Yucca spp.)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Extremely drought-tolerant
✔ Adds a striking, desert-style look
✔ Requires almost no maintenance once established

Yucca plants thrive in full sun and sandy soil, making them perfect for hot California summers. Their bold, spiky leaves and tall flower spikes add structure and texture to any landscape.

8. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Requires minimal water and care
✔ Provides soft, flowing texture in landscapes
✔ Resistant to pests and disease

If you’re looking for an ornamental grass that thrives in dry conditions, Mexican feather grass is an excellent choice. Its wispy, golden strands sway beautifully in the breeze and need almost no upkeep.

9. Cactus (Various species)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Built for extreme heat and drought
✔ Comes in many unique shapes and sizes
✔ Requires little watering and care

From prickly pears to golden barrel cacti, these desert natives are some of the easiest plants to grow in California summers. They store water in their stems, making them highly drought-resistant.

10. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

🌱 Why It’s Easy:
✔ Thrives in hot, dry conditions
✔ Attracts hummingbirds and bees
✔ Comes in a variety of colors and sizes

Salvia, or sage, is a beautiful flowering plant that requires little water and thrives in full sun. With colors ranging from deep blues to bright reds, it’s a great choice for a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden.

Final Thoughts

Gardening in a California summer doesn’t have to be high-maintenance. By choosing heat- and drought-tolerant plants, you can create a stunning, resilient landscape that thrives with minimal care.

Looking for the best low-maintenance plants for your yard? Visit Norman’s Nursery for expert advice and top-quality selections!

Tips for Winterizing Your Trees and Backyard in California

Posted on by Paul Popoff

While winters in California are milder compared to other parts of the country, colder temperatures, occasional frost, and heavy rains can still impact your garden. Properly winterizing your trees and backyard ensures your plants stay healthy and ready to thrive come spring. Here’s how to prepare your landscape for the cooler months.

1. Protect Sensitive Trees from Frost

While many trees in California can handle winter just fine, young or tropical trees like citrus, avocado, and jacaranda may need extra protection.

How to Prevent Frost Damage:

✔ Cover trees with frost cloth, burlap, or old sheets on cold nights. Remove them during the day.
✔ Mulch around the base (2–4 inches thick) to insulate roots and retain warmth.
✔ Water before a frost—moist soil retains heat better than dry soil.

Tip: Avoid using plastic covers, as they can trap moisture and cause freezing damage.

2. Prune with Caution

Winter is the best time to prune many trees, but not all.

✔ Prune deciduous trees (apples, pears, plums) in late winter when they are dormant.
✔ Hold off on pruning citrus and frost-sensitive trees until after winter to avoid stimulating new growth that could be damaged by cold.
✔ Remove dead or damaged branches to prevent storm-related breakage.

Tip: Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent disease spread.

3. Adjust Watering for the Season

With cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, most trees and plants need less water in winter.

✔ Reduce watering frequency for established trees and shrubs to prevent overwatering.
✔ Water deeply but less often for drought-tolerant plants like succulents and California natives.
✔ Check soil moisture before watering—if the top few inches are still moist, hold off.

Tip: Turn off automatic irrigation systems during rainy weeks to conserve water.

4. Apply Mulch for Insulation

Mulch acts as a natural blanket, protecting tree roots from temperature fluctuations.

✔ Spread 2–4 inches of mulch around the base of trees and garden beds.
✔ Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and pest issues.
✔ Use organic mulch like bark, wood chips, or compost for added soil benefits.

5. Protect Outdoor Plants and Grass

✔ Move potted plants to a sheltered spot or wrap containers with burlap to insulate roots.
✔ For lawns, avoid excessive foot traffic on wet or frosty grass to prevent damage.
✔ Cover delicate shrubs with row covers or frost blankets on extra cold nights.

6. Prevent Storm & Wind Damage

Winter storms can bring strong winds and heavy rain, which may harm trees and structures.

✔ Stake young or newly planted trees to provide support.
✔ Remove weak or overgrown branches that could break during storms.
✔ Secure patio furniture, garden décor, and lightweight structures before a storm hits.

Tip: Keep an eye on drainage areas to prevent water pooling around tree roots.

7. Feed & Prep for Spring Growth

Winter is a great time to enrich the soil and prepare for a strong growing season.

✔ Apply organic compost or a slow-release fertilizer to nourish plants before spring.
✔ Check for pests and diseases—winter is a good time to treat infestations before they spread.
✔ Plan new plantings—winter is ideal for planting bare-root fruit trees and California natives.

Final Thoughts

Winterizing your trees and backyard in California doesn’t require extreme measures, but small efforts can make a big difference in plant health and spring growth. By protecting sensitive plants, adjusting watering, and maintaining proper care, you’ll ensure a thriving landscape year-round.

For expert tree care advice and high-quality plants, visit Norman’s Nursery—your trusted partner for all things gardening!

How to Prune Fruit Trees: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by Paul Popoff

Pruning is essential for keeping fruit trees healthy, productive, and well-shaped. Whether you’re growing apples, peaches, citrus, or plums, knowing when and how to prune can improve fruit quality, prevent disease, and encourage strong growth. If you’re new to pruning, don’t worry—this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Why Pruning Matters

Proper pruning helps fruit trees by:
✅ Encouraging new growth and higher fruit yields
✅ Improving air circulation to prevent disease
✅ Strengthening branches to support heavy fruit loads
✅ Controlling size for easier harvesting

Skipping pruning can lead to overgrown, tangled branches, fewer fruits, and increased risk of pests and diseases.

When to Prune Fruit Trees

The best time to prune depends on the type of fruit tree:

1. Winter Pruning (Dormant Season – Late Winter to Early Spring)

✔ Best for: Apples, pears, plums, peaches, and apricots
✔ Promotes strong spring growth and fruit production
✔ Avoid pruning in extreme cold to prevent damage

2. Summer Pruning (After Fruit Harvest)

✔ Best for: Citrus trees (lemons, oranges, limes), cherries, peaches
✔ Helps control excessive growth and maintain shape
✔ Allows sunlight to reach fruit, improving ripening

3. Light Maintenance Pruning (Year-Round, as Needed)

✔ Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches
✔ Trimming suckers (shoots that grow from the tree base)

Tools You’ll Need

🪓 Pruning Shears – For small branches (under ½ inch thick)
🌳 Loppers – For medium branches (½ inch to 1 ½ inches thick)
🪚 Pruning Saw – For thick branches (over 1 ½ inches thick)
🧤 Gloves & Safety Gear – To protect your hands

Always sanitize your tools before pruning to prevent disease spread.

Step-by-Step Pruning Guide

1. Remove Dead, Diseased, or Damaged Branches

🔹 Cut back any branches that are broken, dry, or infected.
🔹 Make clean cuts at a slight angle just above a bud or branch junction.

2. Thin Out Overcrowded Growth

🔹 Remove branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
🔹 Open up the center of the tree to improve airflow and light penetration.

3. Cut Back Water Sprouts & Suckers

🔹 Water sprouts: Thin, fast-growing vertical shoots on main branches—cut these off.
🔹 Suckers: Growth from the tree base—remove them to prevent weak growth.

4. Shape the Tree for Better Growth

🔹 Keep an open center for stone fruit trees like peaches and plums.
🔹 Maintain a central leader for apples and pears (one strong vertical trunk).
🔹 For citrus, focus on removing only excessive or weak growth.

Pruning Tips for Specific Fruit Trees

🍎 Apples & Pears

  • Best pruned in winter while dormant.
  • Use a central leader system for strong structure.

🍑 Peaches & Nectarines

  • Prune aggressively to encourage new growth (fruit grows on 1-year-old wood).
  • Maintain an open center for maximum sunlight.

🍊 Citrus Trees (Oranges, Lemons, Limes)

  • Light pruning after fruiting; avoid over-pruning.
  • Focus on removing weak or crossing branches.

🍒 Cherries & Plums

  • Prune lightly in summer after fruiting.
  • Avoid cutting too much; they are prone to disease.

Final Thoughts

Pruning fruit trees may seem intimidating, but with the right approach, you’ll have healthier trees and better harvests. Regular maintenance, along with seasonal pruning, will keep your trees productive and thriving for years.

Need expert advice or high-quality fruit trees? Visit Norman’s Nursery—your trusted source for all things gardening!

Easiest Trees to Maintain in the Southern California Landscape

Posted on by Paul Popoff

Southern California’s warm, dry climate makes it an ideal place for a variety of beautiful, low-maintenance trees. Whether you’re looking to add shade, color, or texture to your landscape, selecting trees that thrive with minimal care is key to a hassle-free garden. Below, we highlight some of the easiest trees to maintain in Southern California—perfect for homeowners and gardeners who want beauty without constant upkeep.

1. California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Drought-tolerant once established
  • Fast-growing with a beautiful canopy
  • Thrives in a variety of soil types

The California Sycamore is a native tree that can handle Southern California’s climate with ease. It provides ample shade, making it a great choice for larger yards. Though it does shed leaves in fall, it requires little watering once mature and is highly resistant to pests.

2. Palo Verde (Parkinsonia species)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Extremely drought-tolerant
  • Unique green trunk adds year-round color
  • Stunning yellow flowers in spring

Palo Verde trees are some of the best choices for low-maintenance landscapes. Their ability to thrive in dry, rocky soils makes them perfect for Southern California’s arid regions. They require very little water and pruning, making them an excellent addition to water-wise gardens.

3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Pest-resistant and low-maintenance
  • Gorgeous blooms in summer and fall
  • Requires minimal pruning

For those who love vibrant colors, crape myrtles are a fantastic option. These trees burst into bloom during the warmer months, displaying shades of pink, red, purple, and white. They’re drought-tolerant and require only occasional pruning to maintain their shape.

4. Olive Tree (Olea europaea)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Highly drought-tolerant
  • Attractive silver-green foliage year-round
  • Can live for centuries with minimal care

Olive trees thrive in dry, Mediterranean-like climates, making them a natural fit for Southern California gardens. They require little water once established and are resistant to most pests and diseases. If you prefer a non-fruiting variety to avoid olive droppings, look for the ‘Swan Hill’ or ‘Wilsonii’ varieties.

5. California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Highly drought-resistant
  • Offers excellent shade with its weeping canopy
  • Pest- and disease-resistant

The California Pepper Tree is a graceful, airy tree that requires little maintenance beyond occasional pruning. Its feathery leaves provide filtered shade, making it a popular choice for patios and garden spaces. While it does produce small berries, it remains a low-fuss option for Southern California landscapes.

6. Fruitless Mulberry (Morus alba ‘Fruitless’)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Grows quickly, providing great shade
  • Tolerates heat and drought
  • Requires minimal pruning

If you’re looking for a tough, fast-growing shade tree without the mess of fruit, the fruitless mulberry is a fantastic choice. It thrives in Southern California’s heat and is incredibly resilient, requiring very little watering once established.

7. Desert Museum Palo Verde (Parkinsonia x ‘Desert Museum’)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Thrives in hot, dry conditions
  • Virtually pest-free
  • Beautiful yellow blooms in spring

A hybrid of the traditional Palo Verde, the ‘Desert Museum’ variety offers thornless branches and longer-lasting blooms. It requires little water and virtually no maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those who want a striking, low-maintenance tree.

8. Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

Why It’s Easy:

  • Tolerant of drought and poor soil
  • Fast-growing and provides excellent shade
  • Naturally resistant to pests and diseases

Chinese Elms are incredibly hardy trees that can withstand heat, drought, and even urban pollution. Their beautiful arching branches and peeling bark add visual interest to any landscape.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right trees for your Southern California garden can save you time, effort, and water. Whether you’re looking for shade, color, or structure, these low-maintenance options will keep your landscape beautiful with minimal work.

Looking for expert advice on planting and caring for trees? Visit Norman’s Nursery for the best selection of drought-tolerant and easy-care trees for Southern California!