Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
Plant Tender Trees and Vines
Plant citrus and other tender trees, and vines like bougainvillea. Mix the potting mix in the container with soil from the new hole so there's no sharp transition zone for the new roots to deal with. Don't add organic matter to the planting hole; instead, use it as mulch on top of the soil to hold in moisture with fewer waterings.
Feed Established Fruit Trees
Feed established fruit trees now that they're actively growing. This will give them the energy to provide a good leaf canopy.
Plant Drought-Tolerant Color
Blooming shrubs that need little water when they're mature include abelia, bottlebrush, broom, ceanothus, cotoneaster, crape myrtle, grevillea, oleander, pittosporum, pyracantha, raphiolepis, rockrose (cistus), and strawberry bush.
Include Fragrant Shrubs
For fragrance wafting through the garden year after year, plant citrus, gardenias, jasmine, mock orange, and roses.
Pinch Mums for More Fall Color
For bushier mums with lots of blooms this fall, pinch back stems after each 6 inches of growth. Continue pinching until July, then let growth develop naturally, staking as desired. If they're next to a wall, consider letting them trail over the edge like a waterfall!