Cara Hanstein
Cara Hanstein is a head gardener at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. She has worked in horticulture for over 20 years. Before diving into the world of plants, she studied interior design and art in San Francisco. She loves veggie gardening and the native flora of Southern California.
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Southern California Regional ReportsAn Edible Garden With a Twist
Within the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, where I work, there lies a secret, lesser-known garden. The James P. Folsom Experimental Ranch, named for…
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Southern California Regional ReportsFirewise Gardening in Southern California
With so many Southern California neighborhoods adjacent to the foothills, it's important to address fire safety in our landscape. Many residents near the foothills are forced to act on clearance…
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Southern California Regional ReportsNative Grasses for Southern California
Our gardens can be a tapestry of colors, shapes, and textures, and a fresh design takes all of these elements into consideration. But when I want a plant that hits…
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Southern California Regional ReportsNative Understory Plants for California Oaks
One of our iconic trees here in Southern California is the oak (Quercus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–11). Whether they are grown as stand-alone specimens or in a grove, the…
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Southern California Regional ReportsNative Salvias for Southern California
In spring, many of our wild spaces are in bloom, and many of those flowering plants are native salvias (Salvia spp. and cvs., Zones 5–11) that can be easily incorporated…
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Southern California Regional ReportsThe Best Citrus Trees for Southern California
Here in Southern California, many of us are fortunate enough to be surrounded by citrus trees. While many citrus trees are facing an unknown future with the spread of citrus…
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Southern California Regional ReportsFocal-Point Palms for Southern California
We are fortunate in Southern California to be able to feature a variety of striking palms in our gardens. Often used as solitary specimens, these grasslike plants are worth investigating…
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Southern California Regional ReportsSouth African Standouts for Southern California
South Africa has a few similarities with Southern California. Both are hot spots of biodiversity. South Africa, like California, is recognized as a floristic province. That means that both have…
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Southern California Regional ReportsNative Plants for Southern California Pollinators
Winter is a great time to add new plants to your garden, and what better to add than California natives? California natives have evolved with our local weather conditions, soil,…
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Southern California Regional ReportsDeciduous Fruit Tree Pruning Primer
January and February mean that deciduous fruit tree pruning season is upon us here in Southern California. Although this garden task can be intimidating, there are some things to keep…
