From a plethora of choices, pluots

I grew up in a former walnut orchard in North Hollywood, so I am familiar with Emily Green’s plight [“Eden at the Garden Center, $19.99 a Tree,” Jan. 20], especially trying to grow anything in the shadow of walnut trees.

Some suggestions: The pluot, a plum-apricot cross, is the sweetest piece of fruit I have grown. ‘Dapple Dandy’ is my favorite, but the ‘Flavor Grenade’ pluot is a close second. For a list of good fruit trees to plant in Southern California, go to dave wilson.com/homegrown/all_tom/tom_picks05.html.

Fred Hoffman

Hoffman is the producer and host of two Sacramento-based garden radio shows.