Re: Good plants?

Thanks Bridget (and others).
 
I, too, have seen most of these in Botanical Gardens or special private collections but I'm wondering about their commercial availability.
 
I'm not currently looking for these plants.  I'm doing a little research about their past, current, and most importantly, future availability.  I'm wondering not so much if they are or aren't but WHY they aren't.
 
Here's my key theory about why we're not seeing them:
 
Decades ago (primarily the 40's and 50's), California wholesale nurseries were reaching their peak of new plant development and the better growers were doggedly searching for the newest great plant perfect for Calilfornia gardens.
 
Then the market changed going into the 70's.  We entered the era of the "big box store".  Giant chains with garden centers fed the masses. ! ; Each of them had to be fed on a large scale and that meant going "national".  These retailers needed large numbers of plants and garden products and they could only get such by buying from growers outside the state.  The in-state suppliers from whom they bought went more toward commodity items that could be grown on a large scale and started reducing their own costs to be able to match the big-box retailers need for such.  Smaller costs, in turn, reduced the possibility of costly "research and development" needed to develop more appropriate plants.  Retailers relied on built-in marketing of existing plants.
 
I have a feeling it's not just us California Medieterranites that are facing this dilemma.
 
I do know about the great work of such wholesale growers as Monterey Bay, San Marcos, and Native Sons.  Yet I still see so many plants with great potential.
 
I sup! pose that there are SO many plants out there that no one nursery has the time.  In essence, what I'm asking is why not these plants instead of or in addition to what the good guys are already introducing. 
 
What is it about the plants that I've put on my list that makes them so unavailable?
 
Thanks,
Joe

bridget lamp <bridgetlamp@yahoo.com> wrote:
I generally shy away from Genistas since they may have
the potential to become weedy in California.

There is a beautiful specimen of Acer monspessulanum
at the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. It does get
quite large. It's tough as nails and really easy to
care for. Once established, you can pretty much let
it go, occasionally pruning as necessary. It doesn't
need much help at all in takin! g on a lovely shape.

Olivier Fillipi may be able to help you acquire Cistus
clusii. His catalogue is online, although in French,
you can search by scientific name.
http://www.jardin-sec.com/ I was able to locate A.
monspessulanum and tons of cistus--I believe he's a
cistus breeder. I'm not sure if it is even possible
to bring these plants into the states though, but
maybe you can get seed.

Good luck and keep us posted on your sources!
Bridget
seattle, wa--overcast and a balmy 60 F!

> Quercus rotundifolia
> Celtis tournefortii
> Helleborus multifidus bocconei
> Clematis flammula
> Clematis campaniflora
> Paeonia cambessedesii
> Crataegus laciniata
> Genista cinerea
> Acer monspessulanum
> Acer sempervirens
> Daphne oleoides
> Daphne sericea
> Cistus clusii
>


Joe Seals
Santa Maria, California --
where the weather is always perfect
and my NEW garden will soon be blooming and full of birds and butterflies
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