Re: nespole, medlar etc.
- To: A*@aarome.org, "'m*@ucdavis.edu '"
- Subject: Re: nespole, medlar etc.
- From: K* W*
- Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 17:13:13 -0700
Alessandra,
your messages are always so interesting to read! I wish I could be there
for your fair...
I was struck this time by the irony of your statement,
"Italy like the rest of the civilized world
>was filled in the 60es and 70es with hedges of Cupressus arizonica glauca..."
whereas here in Arizona it's far more common to see lots of Italian
cypresses planted! (I did plant an Arizona cypress in my backyard, although
it's really happier at a higher elevation than here in Tucson; my next-door
neighbor, in contrast, has several Italian cypresses in her front yard.)
It's really fascinating how particular plants will become all the rage in a
particular location at a particular time and then later fall out of favor
again.
Also, of course, it's very common around here for people to use Opuntias
(prickly pears) of various kinds as hedges. One very tall-growing,
virtually spineless variety (I don't know the species name, sorry!) is
especially popular, since they provide a lot of privacy and the pads are
edible (sold as "nopalitos" in local markets; a bit mucilaginous, but they
can be pretty tasty nonetheless). When the spinier versions are used as
hedges, I believe it's mostly to keep out animals. Don't know if it always
works though, as our local javelina (collared peccaries) can chomp through
the spiniest of prickly pears with gusto and apparently without any
damage--except to the plant, of course.
I hope your garden fair is a tremendous success and that you can take a bit
of time off afterwards to rest from your labors!
Katherine
from sunny Tucson, where the ocotillos (Fouquiera splendens) and the palo
verde trees (Cercidium spp.) are just coming into bloom; the scarlet of the
former and the brilliant yellow of the latter are absolutely spectacular
against the clear blue spring skies! (see the home page of the Arizona
Native Plant Society, <http://AZNPS.org/> for a small picture of a palo
verde in bloom and of an ocotillo blossom).
