New Plant Introductions in California
- Subject: New Plant Introductions in California
- From: d* f*
- Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 11:50:47 -0800 (PST)
Related to my recent visits to see the Proteas
blooming at UC Santa Cruz, it was also interesting to
visit some of the local Watsonville wholesale
nurseries and see some of the new plants they are
trialing for possible introduction to the trade. The
genus Phebalium from southwest Australia is one of
those Australian shrubs that is not well represented
here, but after seeing several new species such as P.
squamulosum(pale yellow blooms in winter), P.
stenaphyllum(daffodil yellow flowers), and P.
frondosum(with small airy white flowers), and looking
up several other species on the Australian National
Botanic Gardens web site, I want them all! Here's
hoping that they do pass their trials with flying
colors, and get introduced into the trade.
Similar recent introductions through UCSC can be
recognized by the photo label tags, with a portion of
all sales going to support the Arboretum. Another
interesting plant in the Rutacea family was also quite
showy, Diplolaena angustifolia/Yancep Rose, also from
the same general area of Australia. I thought I might
have found this available for sale when a google
search turned this up on the San Marcos Growers web
site, but it appears to be a false lead! I had never
heard of the genus with 6 listed species, but the
flowers and small shrubby growth with olive like
leaves are quite showy. The flowers are similar to a
Calliandra haematocephala in size/shape, and vary from
cream to rose. Is anyone growing any of these plants
in other mediterranean climates outside of Australia?
As a result of these latest visits to Santa
Cruz/Watsonville, my latest garden design will include
several Banksias, Leucodendrons, Leucospermums,
Isopogons, Grevelleas, Proteas and Restios in addition
to the usual succulents such as Aloes, Aeoniums,
Echeverias, Sedums, Senecios, Agaves and Bromeliads I
would normally use in a beach side garden. I do worry
about the loamy black clay native soil as being less
than ideal, but am hoping that the raised beds and
sloping mounds will compensate. I guess I will just
have to be patient to see the Banksia grandis and
Leucodendron argenteum get tree sized from 1 gallon
cans, but I can already see it at maturity in my mind.
I just thought I might mention that several of the
Puya species at UC Berkeley are also sending up
flowering shoots, and should be blooming within the
next month. A genus also not much used for the
obvious reasons of thorniness and large size, but
spectacular where you have the room, or need for a
showy barrier.
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