Genmaicha and Sakura (Backyard plan)

[aimeekitty]

TODAY'S TEA: Genmaicha (from Den's Tea)
Genmaicha is so soothing... I find I turn to it or an oolong when I feel bad or when the weather starts cooling off.

another slightly OCD post from Aimee-time!

Trying to plan the backyard.
zone 9-10, SoCal, ... soil is alkaline (will have to amend). Eastern facing, morning sun location.

I really want a sakura tree. It'd be great if I could have two, like this. Most people online say that "pink cloud" gets to about 30-40 foot width eventually... but the weeping cherry seems to be more like 15-20 foot width.
I won't put the trees in until spring, probably... but I need to make a plan now of what types of water-usage-plants go where so that we can put an irrigation system in and put some of the ground cover in. (the HOA won't let us wait till spring to do the yard.)

This design allows us to cut back on the amount of water-guzzling grass we have to mow... and lets me to sit on the grass (or a bench) under either of the trees... and also leaves a sunny alcove - back left corner for a rose arbor. I think my mom saved my Gramma's Cecile Brunner... I might be able to get it out here, that would be a lovely place for it. (or I could put an arbor in the sideyard and make a magical tunnel. :P :) ... spot might end up being too shady though? so I guess I could go with a vine instead.

I let my membership at Huntington lapse since I'm going to be really busy until spring... but now I kinda wish I could go stare at their various plum and cherry varieties. I think I can get by without it though.

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Comments

[kaijule.livejournal.com]

I think that where I live and where you live have similar climates, only our winters are colder. So I hope this idea helps, even a little, if you finally have to drop off the sakura tree idea (I sincerely hope not!).

My grandfather used to plant trees in a piece of land he had inland (it was not that far from the coast, as here nothing is, but it was inland enough). I remember he had a cherry tree, and I am quite positive it was not a japanese one. My point, tho, is that I also remember spending a lot of time staring at what I found the most beautiful tree in that yard: an almond tree.

I really don't know if that could fit your final plans for your backyard, but in years driving through rich fields I have never encountered a prettier blooming tree (I personally find olive trees fascinating, but alas they don't give flowers). I just wanted to leave this almond tree idea here, in case you could use it in some way or another :)

[metanoia-cw.livejournal.com]

Almond trees are really pretty!! My home town has an almond blossom festival... the kind of festival that celebrates local produce. They come in white and pink too. And almonds have heaps of uses if you are patient enough to crack them.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they would grow well in my 9-10 socal zone? They're lovely!