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.

Southern California Regional Reports
Southern 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Indoor Gardening in Southern California

Tending to houseplants can be a rewarding experience for any plant enthusiast. I discovered a love of houseplants while far along in my pregnancy here in Southern California. It was…
Southern California Regional Reports
An 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Firewise 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Native 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Native 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Native 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
The 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…
Southern California Regional Reports
Focal-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…
Southern California Regional Reports
South 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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