Amaryllis is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America.

Southern California isn’t tropical, but it’s close enough for amaryllis to flourish year-round.

Figs are one of the earliest domesticated crops in human history, dating back 9,000 years in regions like modern-day Jordan and the Levant.

The Egyptians dried figs for year-round consumption, while the Greeks and Romans associated the fruit with fertility and prosperity.

The plants (Ficus carica) are native to the Middle East and Western Asia. In the mid-1700s, Spanish missionaries introduced them to California, along with the olive tree.

Olive trees have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for over 6,000 years for their oil, fruit, and wood.

The plant is an ancient symbol of peace, prosperity, and endurance. It’s drought-tolerant and incredibly resilient, well-suited for arid conditions like those of the American Southwest.