I'm in Pasadena California...How should my garden grow??

Question

I'm so excited... I finally have a home where I can plant a flower garden. I don't know what I can plant this time of year that wont die on me. I have a space on the West side of my house that is about 30x50, I plan on using the SE corner of that. The ground breaks up easily and seems like it's just waiting for my garden. Any special soil that I should mix in before planting? Some of my favorites are pansies, snapdragons, lavendar and night blooming jasmine. I love to see my dragonflys and butterflys too... what do they like? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Pasadena has all types of soil. The best thing would be to go to a local nursery and ask them what they think you should grow for your location.

Some local nurseries -

Burkard on N. Orange Grove

Altadena on Lake

Armstrong on Glenarm

Bellfontaine on Fair Oaks

Persson's on Sierra Madre Bl

Mission on Mission in San Marino

Carrillo's on Altadena

California Cactus Center on Rosemead

There are Home Depots and OSH's nearby, but a local nursery should be of more help to you. Target also has flowers and plants.

Butterflies like my bougainvillea and sunflowers.

Pansies, snapdragons, lavender and jasmine have grown well for me and my soil is not good. Let's just say I've spent a lot of time at the fantastic Ca Cactus Center. Also, sometimes the wildlife will decide what you should grow. Depending on where you are in Pasadena, there are moles, voles, gophers (took 6 large kangaroo paw plants underground) and my sworn enemy, the ground squirrel.

Answer 2

ANY TRUMPET SHAPED FLOWERS WILL ATTRACT A BUTTERFLY AND RED ONES WILL ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS . MIX PETE MOSS IN WITH THE SOIL TO KEEP IT LOOSE AND RETAIN WATER . ALSO THE NIGHT BLOOMING JASMINE WILL ATTRACT MOTHS ------AND SOME ARE NICE LOOKING .