RE: Adelaide

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I have two large, mature Ceanothus (Ray Hartman and gentian plume, both at a small tree size) and both have looked bedraggled since the end of the summer last year.  We are now into our second year of below normal rainfall, and they do not look as lush as they normally do this time of year.  But then, we are pretty dry right now.  It has been more like spring weather for 6 weeks now.  I am thinking of giving them each a good, slow soak with the hose, for fear of having no spring bloom.

 

Karrie Reid

Folsom Foothill Gardener

Zone 9

 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Margaret Nottle
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 8:16 PM
To: Margaret.A.Healey@bigpond.com; medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject: RE: Adelaide

 

The warm water shouldn’t be a problem but even Ceanothus don’t like prolonged periods of drought, semi-drought and more drought. They never get a chance to recover fully. Nearby trees will take every last drop of soil moisture from shrubs, even toughies like California lilacs. I mulch deeply with rough, coarse mulch – mostly big slabs of pea straw taken straight off the bale when the baling twine is cut. I do not plant near established trees but try to make the Ceanothus the highest layer of growth under scented leaf geraniums, cistus, rosemaries, yuccas, agapanthus etc.

 

Not much can be done now but watch and see the full extent of damage as it develops over the next few weeks. Hope we get a summer thunderstorm soon. Water deeply if you are able to.

 

Good Luck

 

Trevor N.