from Spain to Oregon, the rain....
- Subject: from Spain to Oregon, the rain....
- From: l*@attbi.com
- Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 18:14:12 +0000
The recent posting to this list by Francisco de la Mota reinforces my previous
belief that my local climate [Corvallis, Oregon] has close affinity to certain
areas in the Iberian peninsula, and that much the same is true of extensive
areas throughout the inland valleys of western Oregon. Sr. de la Mota's summer
and winter average temperatures, the annual mintemp, and range of annual
precipitations are very close to my own and would fit many lowland stations in
western Oregon. Interestingly, about half of his plant list, including locally
indigenous species [for him], are on my shopping list for a newly cleared,
minimally irrigated slope on my lot. I wouldn't use the hawthorn or scots
broom, both invasive here, but most of the remainder are very desirable
ornamental for my area, and for the most part under-utilized in the U.S.
Pacific Northwest.
One striking thing was Sr. de la Mota's ability to grow olive and Laurus
nobilis in his garden -- no one in Oregon would think of it! Yet, it's clear
that resprouting from the base [a fire-ecology adaptation of many mediterranean
shrubs] does extend their mintemp range in areas with hot, dry summers.
loren russell
corvallis, oregon, usa
My yard is located in the mountains North from Madrid (40º 50' N, 3º 50' W).
It has an extension of about 0.5 acres on a slightly South facing slope. The
caracteristics of the area are as follows:
--Plants: The climax vegetation is Quercus pyrenaica forest, with Crataegus
monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Acer monspessulanum, Cytisus scoparius, Lavandula
stoechas, Cistus ladanifer and C. laurifolius, Rubus sp., Stipa gigantea and
reforestations of Pinus sylvestris on the higher areas. Figs (Ficus carica),
olives (Olea europaea) and bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) survive well in a
sheltered position, but can die-back to the ground in very cold winters.
This yard was started 26 years ago, not following any previous design or
ideas. Some of the plants like the 4 Pinus pinea and 5 the Olive trees were
planted when they were about 21 years old or more. Other trees/shrubs/plants
include: Arbutus unedo, several lilacs, walnut, loquat (Eriobotya japonica),
Magnolia grandiflora, Ficus carica, Ginkgo biloba, Cistus (several species),
Viburnum tinus... As an example, in area of about 40 m2 (430.56 sq. ft) in which there were
only three olive trees and lawn, now it is being planted a mixture of
Lavandula stoechas, Achillea coarctata, Iberis sempervirens, Euphorbia
characias, Stipa gigantea, Aurinia saxatile, Phlomis fruticosa, Acanthus
mollis, Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostrata' and Antirrhinum hispanicum. For
late summer flowering I included Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue', which is
not invasive here. I've also added bulbs like Hyacinthoides hispanica,
Narcissus jonquilla and Allium moly. I intended a combination of blues,
whites and yellows and contrasts in leaves like between the deep green of
the Acanthus and the grayish of Phlomis. I will be reducing the watering
frecuency in the next two summers. After that the plants will be on their
own.
