Peonies are some of the most admired flowers in the gardening world. They’re also cool-climate plants. So, if you live in a sunbaked region like Southern California, you might wonder if growing these showy perennials is even possible.

The answer is yes!

Anyone who has sampled a ripe guava fresh off the tree will forever be on a quest for another — a quest as “fruitless” as the search for The Holy Grail, unless you’re in the guava zone.

But did you know that in Southern California’s forgiving climate, you can grow guavas to perfection in your backyard, thereby achieving guava nirvana?

Amaryllis is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America.

Southern California isn’t tropical, but it’s close enough for amaryllis to flourish year-round.