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 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…
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Southern California Regional ReportsRegenerative Gardening Practices in Southern California
You may have heard the term “regenerative” as it applies to farming. Regenerative agriculture is the conservation of land through processes that improve our soil, preserve our water, and enhance…
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Southern California Regional ReportsFive Natives for Slope Retention in Southern California
At the beginning of the rainy season, our thoughts in Southern California turn to the foothills and the potential for mudslides. Plants are the solution to keeping our slopes intact.…
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Southern California Regional ReportsSouthern California December Garden To-Do List
December in Southern California can still sometimes offer warmer weather, but generally we see cooler temperatures. With the holiday season upon us, it's the perfect time to reflect on the…
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Southern California Regional ReportsSouthern California November Garden To-Do List
The weather is finally reliably cooler now in Southern California, and our attention is shifting from heat and wind protection to tucking our gardens in with new plants and fresh…
