Re: Genista aetnensis, etc.

Reply-to:      <tj2e@ix.netcom.com>
From:          "Tim Toohey" <tj2e@ix.netcom.com>
To:            <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Subject:       Genista aetnensis, etc.
Date:          Thu, 4 Feb 1999 11:03:29 -0800
Importance:    Normal

On a recent trip to England I was impressed with several fine Genista
aenensis (Mount Etna broom) and am thinking of trying this in a Southern
California garden.  Given its origin, this plant should do well here, yet I
am not aware that is widely (or even not so widely) grown here.  Does anyone
have experience growing this in California or similar climates?

Dear Tim,

Mt Etna broom is fairly short lived, like pineapple broom, it can 
also be rather inclined to weediness unless you are rigorous about 
seed control, esp. in places with sandy, well drained soils and 
little or no frost. it can be easily wind damaged as the tree branch
structure is susceptible to splitting and the roots are shallow - so 
it can fall over too No wonder the Poms love trying to grow it - it 
is not so easy for them, but also has no weed potential over there.

In England I also saw Eryngium pandanifolium at Great Dixter and other
gardens.  This is a plant which also would seem to do well in California,
but I am aware of no local sources for it.  (Heronswood appears to carry the
plant.)  Again, I'd be grateful if anyone could share his/her experience
with this plant and its suitability to a Meditteranean climate.  Many
thanks.

Erygium pandanifolium comes from the east coast of Sth America - 
Uruguay and nthn Argentina. I saw it colonising vast areas of marshy 
ground on very sandy soil. Being a summer growing plant it needs a 
fair bit of water to thrive and flower well.

regards

trevor n

-----------------
Trevor Nottle
Garden Writer, Historian,     
Lecturer and Comsultant 
       
    'Walnut Hill'                          
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