Re: planting for street "island"
- Subject: Re: planting for street "island"
- From: Tony and Moira Ryan t*@xtra.co.nz
- Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 20:03:52 +1300
david feix wrote:
>
> --- Christine Caliandro <ckc@sonic.net> wrote:
> > I am a member of the landscape committee of the PUD
> > where I live in Santa
> > Rosa, CA. (Sunset Western Garden zone 14) There is
> > an island in the street
> > that runs through the development. Most of the
> > plantings need replacing and
> > we are looking for ideas to make an attractive, low
> > maintenance space. Can
> > you help?
>
> Christine,
>
> It would help to also know whether you will be subject
> to deer browsing, suffer from gophers/moles and
> whether you will be hand watering or have automatic
> drip/spray irrigation. Deer tolerance will reduce the
> choice of plants considerably, and if you intend to
> hand water, the best window for planting is already
> passing. New plantings at smaller sizes will
> establish much more readily if planted in late fall,
> spring plantings will need more regular and frequent
> first and second summer irrigation.
>
> Many plants associated with olives would do well in
> your situation, such as Lavandula species(stoechas,
> angustifolia, 'Goodwin Creek Grey').....
David
I have a few slight reservations about using Lavandula stoechas in a low
maintenence area. In my experience it really does need at least a yearly
cut-back to remain vigorous and compact. If this much attention can be
managed there are certainly some fine and floriferous cultivars which
are very attractive.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ. Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
