Question
Hi. We just purchased our first home, we've lived in west facing apartments in Southern California for years. I have grown 3 wonderful collections in containers that I finally get to plant in the ground! They are: 1.Scented Geraniums 2. Euphorbia Mili (Crown of Thorns) 3.Brightly colored succulents. My choices of locations are a)Backyard facing south, walls on either side (east and west), partially shaded by a giant magnolia tree in the S/E corner. b) Along a west facing wall (the front walkway). c) A patch under the north facing kitchen window. d)Front entrance enclosed on n,e,s sides only gets afternoon sun. e)Under windows facing west, along the sidewalk/street. f) North facing area out front, next to garage. We're noving to a unique zone; I believe it's called a coastal thermal belt. Placentia,CA, home of the Valencia Orange and the only place in the US perfect for avacadoes. I notice that Hibiscus grow like weeds here, I plan on adding them in also. Any ideas? I would be heartbroken to lose my beautiful plants....Thank you, sincerely, Darilynn

Answer
Darilynn,

First, sorry for delay in answer.

Given the thorough way you described all the possible locations, I get the feeling I should be asking you for advice.  You have a good sense of what's going to be important.

Whenever I move plants, if I can I try to get them in a setting as nearly like  what they came out of as I can.  If I can't do that, I try to get them into a less stressful place, rather than a more stressful place.

I'm assuming the west facing apt gave you only one option for these containers...west facing, so they've all shown they can take the blast of afternoon sun & heat.

If I was doing it, I would go one of these ways...

One, I would leave the plants in the containers, and using some outdoor worthy stands/rocks/???, create a grouping of containers out back (south side) that would remind you of the place you came from.  A little history is nice; and this would minimize the risk of losing these plants from the stress of a transplant,

or

Two, I'd put the Euphorbia along the west facing wall out front, because the great shape and texture that provides could create more interest by a drab flat surface, and plant the others out back (south).

For what it's worth
Mark in Portland