can you add info re: Banksia, grevillia, etc. as they are catching on in CA and I've decided to base my yard around them

Mary- If you're looking at recommended plants from within a reading, you'll ONLY see plants that are within your zones. When you're browsing the Plant Library, you see all plants. This is a great feature idea, and thanks for suggesting it. Edith

Angelique- We need a full 24 hours of data to get a complete "Plants View". However, it doesn't matter when you start it. If you leave it out for more than 3 days, you'll get a reminder to plug it into your computer.

is there a recomended time of day to set it outside (morning, afternoon, evening) or can you put it outside at anytime for the 24 hour period. Thanks

How do I pull up only my zone when finding plants?

Becky, this is my first use and it would not launch beyond "Dashboard". Support told me to try another battery other than the first one they sent. It could be dead. We went through some perfunctory checklist and I still have to give it another 24 run and see. If it doesn't work, they "should" send me a new one.

I do know of a perennial flower that is tough as nails, beautiful when it blooms, fragrant, tolerant to humidity, heat and frost. The only thing is that it blooms from spring to summer, but not through fall. It's called the Lady Banks Rose. It's a climbing rose with little yellow flowers that will completely cover the plant when it blooms. (Some cultivars have white flowers, but it has been my experience that the yellow flowered Lady Banks Roses are more fragrant.) They are practically thornless (or prickleless to be more scientifically correct). They are resistant to insect infestation and disease infection. I really love this rose. The only thing is, you would have to either have a large area to let it mound as it grows, or have a trellis or arbor to let it climb up. They can get rather large if you don't prune them. This is fine though. I think they are quite beautiful when they mound. You would probably need 20 feet of space to let it grow in that manner though. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions. Cheers...Dr. Robby

Dear Plant Doctor Do you know of a flower that is a perennial, that blooms from early spring to late fall, that is very resistant to insect pests and disease, that is very fragrant, that can handle winter frost, and that is tolerant of heat and high humidity?

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Cheers...Dr. Robby

Now...as for the that sticky stuff you are seeing on the leaves, that is called honeydew. Honeydew is, to use the scientific nomenclature, these pests' poop. :) They suck the sugars from the plant, but cannot digest all of the sugar so they excrete the excess out. It can simply be washed away with water. One thing you should keep in mind is that since honeydew is basically sugar, honeydew can promote fungal growth on your leaves. If you already have fungal growth on the leaves, not to worry. The fungus is not attacking your plant as much as it is eating that sugar.