Re: Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea' or 'Saratoga'

Interesting to see such diverse discussion over what some would consider a
very common, even overused plant.

My observations are similar to Barry's - in the decades that I've seen Dodonea
viscosa growing in the SF Bay Area, I have not noted that it was prone to
self-seeding, moderately or vigorously.  This does not mean that it is not a
problem in some area - it is always curious why this would be the case.  I was
reminded of Rhamnus alaternus self-seeding fairly rampantly in some of our
areas (something I have witnessed first hand) yet in my own Berkeley
neighborhood, in which there are very old specimens that fruit copiously, this
does not seem to be the case!

I like Dodonea for it's unique character - sort of an 'up-swept' habit. 
Personally, having grown tired of hedges planted in a single clone (usually
the dark plum foliage form being discussed), I have found older plantings of
seedling grown specimens much more to my liking.  Those I am thinking of have
various foliar tones from drab green to more plummy, and the fruits also range
from soft green through mauve or dusky pink, into darker plum.  Their heights
can also vary, which might be undesirable, but then I have never been a big
fan of carefully clipped hedging, preferring a one of a more informal
character and even of mixed species.

Seán A. O'Hara
sean(at)gimcw.org
www.hortulusaptus.com
(ask about mediterranean climate gardening forum)

On Feb 19, 2008 11:17 AM, B. Garcia <paroxytone@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Feb 18, 2008 10:45 PM, N Sterman <TalkingPoints@plantsoup.com> wrote:
>> Hi Linda
>>
>> IN addition to the comments others have made on size, you might want to know
>> that this is a vicious reseeder.  I have a client whose next door neighbors
>> planted several Dodonea (don't know what variety though) along their common
>> fence and we are forever picking seedlings out of the vegetable garden,
>> shrub borders, etc.  I'd never plant it after this experience.
>
> Around Monterey, they hardly spread. I've got a few seedlings in my
> (dry) garden, and I've only seen them come up in public spaces here
> and there, even where there are a lot of Dodonaea viscosa around. So,
> I'd hardly call them vicious reseeders in my experience (although it
> now sounds like the plants will be way too tall for the purpose
> intended.)
>
> I'm now intent on buying several of these to screen off our rather
> annoying neighbors, and a 15 to 20 foot tall shrub like D. viscosa
> 'Purpurea' will make a fine screen.
>
>
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