I've told people that almost any once-bloomer will rebloom in California, and here's the proof. These photos of my yellow Banksias were taken today. All three are reblooming. It's not much of a flush, but it's enough to be seen from a distance.

I wish it was hardy enough to grow in my zone.

Mike - I'm trying a pink Lady Banks. I know they grow here as they were on the list of the "rose parade" here at one of our local cemeteries. It's grown twice it's size when I got it, so it's got to be about 5' tall now. I need to watch that video on how to train it to a trellis and hope the honeysuckles don't engulf it.

That's awesome! Doesn't look like the rebloom is as full in the fall as in the spring???

I have a Jacaranda tree that blooms twice a year. The bloom in the fall is not as huge as that of spring.

alan

Alan - WOW! I only WISH I could have a Jacaranda tree.. I've never seen one in person, only pictures, but they look completely marvelous! You're so lucky....

and what happened to the cute guy in your avatar?

I have two Jacaranda Trees. One in the back yard, one in the front yard. The one in the back, I planted when I bought the house 20 years ago. It's getting quite huge, about 30 feet. So pretty in the spring and fall. That's the one that blooms twice a year. The one in the front only blooms once a year. I planted it about 3 years ago. So not quite so big and beautiful yet. They are one of my favorite trees too Toni.

In the inserted picture you can see picture of the tall Jacaranda in bloom in the distance (back yard). In front of it is the Desert Museum Palo Verde in bloom with yellow flowers, and in front of that is a newly planted Oleander tree with red flowers.

I love the carpet of yellow petals left under the Jacaranda when it is blooming. So pretty!

Alan, your statement about the fall flush being less full is the textbook definition of an understatement. Here's the spring flush on a corner of one of the Banksias.

Holy Schnickie, Batman! When I first saw the picture, I thought it was some kind of blooming tree! WOW! I know that I saw some pictures somewhere not too long ago about a yellow Lady Banks "eating" a house somewhere in AZ... lemme see if I can find that easily.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k...

"Shady" Lady in Tombstone, AZ. Covers over 8600 square feet. Now that's a big ol' rose.

http://www.tombstonetimes.com/...

Here's a YouTube of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Yes, I go almost every April to Tombstone to see that magnificent Lady Banks Tree. The pictures do not to it justice. It's magnificent. I haven't made it the last two years, due to the economy. Maybe this April I'll make it again. That is when it is in full bloom. I usually spend the whole weekend down there and enjoy the 50 cent margauritas and the western gunfights and entertainment. Some of them are pretty funny comedy's. One they showed a gun slinger got shot in the crotch because he shot a ladies parrot. He died three days later when it fell off...lol! I never laughed so hard in my life. The gunmen are really great with the kids and families too... I may have to pull some pics up out of the cobwebs...hmmmm...

alan

ARE lists most of the banksias as zone 8 hardy. But maybe I should try it here. After all, High Country Gardens insists that I am in zone 8 since the new zone system came out. And if it works in Colorado, I don't see why it wouldn't work here, if given adequate protection.

Tombstone's a little more of a drive for me than I'm prepared for as a day trip. Not sure I want to stay overnight just to see the world's largest rose plant and a few gunfights - no matter how funny they might be. Maybe I'll figure out how to bundle it with a hike or a good bike ride.

There is far more to do than just the shows and 50 cent margarita's. There is the San Pedro river for birdwatching and hiking I'm sure. Also jeep tours of mines and ghost towns. We never get bored.

alan

Cool. Gotta plan a spring hike there, what, early April?

The tree is in full bloom around April 15.

alan

Great idea for a weekend trip. Thanks Alan.

OH, I want to go! I already got the Jeep.

The more, the merrier!