Re: Myrica californica
- Subject: Re: Myrica californica
- From: d* f*
- Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 20:42:51 -0700 (PDT)
Einion,
Jason Dewees gave you a pretty good description of the
shrub and its habitat, but didn't tell you that it can
get to be small tree sized, especially in more shaded,
or less windy conditions. It is perhaps less
mediterannean in habitat than you imagine, it is more
often found along the moister coast within the fog
belt of northern California, or as an understory plant
in redwood forests, in clearings with more light. It
will not grow well in dense shade, and stays much more
compact and dense where growing on slopes getting our
regular strong coastal winds. It is a good windbreak,
and can be kept at 8~10 tall without too much effort,
if you prefer it as a hedge.
It will also accept drought in a garden situation here
near the coast in northern California, but is often
prone to scale/thrips and/or spider mites if it is
under too much drought stress. I probably wouldn't
give this a try in the garden unless you have the room
for it, as it is more of a background or hedge plant
than an accent. Of course, it may be that much more
interesting in Wales because it is uncommon, we take
it for granted locally.
--- Einionygarddwr@aol.com wrote:
> Medit-Plants has quite a number of members living in
> California, so I feel
> this is the best forum for this particular query.
> What could be more
> Mediterranean, & indeed Californian, than Myrica
> californica? I received
> seeds of it in the spring of last year: they
> germinated readily under glass,
> and there they stayed all last winter & right up
> until a couple of months
> ago. At that point I took pity on them - they were
> still tiny little things,
> less than 2" high, so I potted them up individually,
> & since then they have
> started growing away much better, & the leaves are
> now some 2" in length & a
> beautiful glossy green.
>
> I know absolutely nothing about this plant - I got
> the seeds simply because I
> liked the name! How big does it grow, what are the
> flowers & fruits like &,
> most importantly of all, am I likely to succeed with
> it outside here on the
> coast of North Wales, where the last winter's
> minimum of -7C compared to the
> previous 3 winters' average of -3C? Any tips &
> suggestions gratefully
> received.
>
> Einion Hughes,
> Rhyl,
> Denbighshire,
> Wales,
> UK.
> Zone 8, or thereabouts.
>
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