Oleander might be the perfect plant for Southern California’s climate. This Mediterranean native thrives in heat, tolerates drought, and blooms nearly year-round in mild winters.

Whether working with a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, oleander delivers outsized visual impact with minimal fuss.

Once dismissed as “worthless weeds,” petunias have gone from wild South American flowers to beloved garden staples.

They’re a perfect match for Southern California — bold, sun-loving, and endlessly adaptable to our microclimates from beach to desert.

Few plants can match the canna lily’s bold beauty and long history. This tropical showstopper is a lily only in name — in fact, it’s more closely related to bananas and ginger.

Once grown as food in ancient Peru, cannas, with their towering banana-like foliage and magnificent, self-cleaning flowers, shine in modern gardens.