Lemonwood tree

Pittosporum eugenioides or Tarata Pittosporum

Moderately fast-growing evergreen tree to 35ft with a 20ft spread. Can be sheared to a hedge, 5-8ft tall. Fragrant, yellow flowers open in spring on unpruned plants. Foliage color is yellow green to medium green. Best grown in full sun to part shade. Regular water until established. Fertilize in spring with a complete fertilizer. Develops a handsome gray, curving trunk when grown as a tree. Densely foliated in either form.

15-gallon size from East Bay Nursery: $125.

Pink strawberry tree

Arbutus Marina
Strawberry tree

An evergreen tree that typically grows to 20ft in height with equal spread; can get larger with age, as tall as 35ft. Single to multi-trunked, open habit. Clusters of white flowers with a pink tint. Blooms almost continually through the year. Flowers produce large red fruit through the year. Plant in sun to part shade. Needs little to no summer water when established. Best in well-drained soil. Prune to expose interesting bark. Resistant to oak root fungus.



5-gallon size from East Bay Nursery: $50.

Lemonwood tree (variegated)

Pittosporum eugenioides "Variegatum" or Variegated Tarata Pittosporum.

Moderate growing evergreen shrub to 10ft with equal spread. Slower growing than non-variegated. Forms a nice hedge by shearing to 5-8 ft. Fragrant, yellow flowers open in spring on unpruned plants. Foliage color is yellow green to medium green with cream colored margins. Best grown in full sun to part shade. Water regularly until established. Fertilize in spring with a complete fertilizer. Tolerates considerable shearing.



5-gallon size from East Bay Nursery: $50.

Photinia fraseri tree

A sturdy evergreen shrub or small tree — grows to 10ft tall as shrub, taller as tree. Single to multi-trunked. Clusters of creamy-white flowers bloom in early spring. New growth is bright red, aging to dark green. No fruit set. Best when grown in full sun. Tolerates most soils. Requires moderate moisture. Good in heat. Attractive to birds. Good trained as an espalier.



5-gallon size from East Bay Nursery: $50.

Tenuifolium or Tawhiwhi

Pittosporum tenuifolium (Black Mapou or Tawhiwhi or Kohuhu)

Rapid growing evergreen tree or shrub to 25ft, slower to 40ft. Easily kept as a hedge (at 6ft if desired). Single to multi-trunked. Clusters of purple flowers bloom in late spring, flowers will not form on highly pruned plants. Mint green foliage contrasts with the black stems. Best grown in full sun to part shade. Regular water until established. Fertilize in spring with a complete fertilizer. Used as a lawn or street tree. Tolerant of windy seaside conditions.

Certainteed awning window

I love awning-type windows in a bathroom. It allows full ventilation even in light rain and hardly compromises you in inward view. These Certainteeds have dual-glazed obscure glazing to boot. Once closed, they're completely weather-tight and fully insulating.

Despite its smaller retrofit size (due to being installed over the existing frame), the ventilation area is actual larger than the replaced slider because the entire sash is operable. The crank operation is smooth, positive and solid-feeling. It feels firm and secure. The double gasket design is excellent. I'm quite amazed at the high quality and performance of these vinyl windows. Highly recommended.

Total cost, after tax, of the 3020 shown: $267
Total cost, after tax, of the 2020 in adjacent bathroom: $238

Old aluminum slider shown above. Sash was removed, but frame was kept. Wood stool and apron was removed and rebuilt.