Re: on line sources for South African Plants and Seeds

--- Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
> david feix wrote:
> > 
> > Glenn,
> > 
> > I've enjoyed reading your comments on the
> > Mediterranean Plants Discussion group, and was
> > wondering if you had any information on discussion
> > groups or websites which specifically deal with
> South
> > African species?  
> > 
> > The following Cape species  have been grown here
> in
> > California in the past, or are grown here at
> Strybing
> > Arboretum, but don't seem to be in the trade, can
> you
> > say if it is because they are difficult to
> propagate,
> > or have other drawbacks?
> > 
> > Virgilia capensis, Polygala virgata, Podalyria
> > calyptrata, Calodendrum capense(never seems to
> bloom
> > in cooler maritime climates such as San
> > Francisco/Strybing)
> 
> David
> I am quite surprised that the first three of these
> are so hard to find
> in the US trade, as they are widely grown in NZ both
> in the north and in
> many mildly frosty areas further south. Both the
> Virgilaia and the
> Podalyra are freely planted in Wellington gardens 
> and the Podalyra in
> particular  is considered a good plant for exposed
> positions.
> 
> Virgila is quite hardy too (at least after its first
> winter), but grows
> so fast (like 10ft in two years!) its root will
> sometimes scarcely
> support it and it can easily be blown over. It is
> very popular though
> for giving and established look to new gardens and
> apparently the poorer
> and drier the soil the better it flowers..
> 
> Polygala virgata was once quite widely grown but
> seldom seen today. The
> most planted species here is P myrtifolia v
> grandiflora. Known popularly
> as sweetpea bush it is valued for its hardiness (it
> will stand certainly
> at least 6 degrees C of frost). I myself find the
> flower colour rather
> harsh.
> 
> I have very fond childhood memories of Calodendron
> capensis which
> despite its name is also native in highland Kenya
> where I grew up. We
> had three well-grown trees in our garden and I can
> testify they are
> magnificent for climbing, having spent a good few of
> my early years up
> in their branches! All three flowered regularly, but
> one was outstanding
> (they were all seedlings).
> 
> Although I believe quite well-known in Australia, a
> lot of NZ is a bit
> cool for its liking (not so much minimum but summer
> maximum temps),
> though I understand the odd flowering specimens may
> be encountered in
> the far north coastal towns.
> 
> Seedlings apparently take at least 8 years to
> flower, so grafted plants
> are  popular to speed maturity.
> 
> Moira

Moira,

Thanks for the info, it still leaves me wondering why
these aren't also more popular here.  The Virgilia
capensis is being grown at Strybing Arboretum and
never seems to be out of bloom, but I seem to recall
that it is difficult to root from cuttings, and may
not set seed here, I may be all wrong about this, but
that is what I seem to remember about it.  Otherwise,
it is difficult to explain why it wouldn't be more
commonly grown here.  The others, except for
Calodendrum, just aren't common here at all, and look
to be worth growing from the photos I have seen. 
Polygala myrtifolia var grandiflora is a cultivar that
has recently been introduced here, but is almost
identical to P. dalmasiana, (perhaps larger flowers
and leaves), which is very common but not often
planted.  I guess many people find the purplish pink
flowers a difficult color to work into the garden, but
I love it, as it is one of those everblooming shrubs
to give year round color here, and easily combines
color wise with Tibouchina urvilleana and Bletilla
striata, which I never hear people calling harsh...

I have never seen a Calodendrum blooming here in
northern California, and the ones at Strybing
Arboretum are already substantial in size, at least 30
foot tall.  I am guessing that San Francisco may be a
bit too cool in summer for it to bloom, but could be
wrong.  It might do just fine in one of our banana
belts like around the Mission Delores/Mission
neighborhood.  The early Spanish missionaries always
seemed to settle in the localities with the best year
round weather...

Hope you are enjoying your summer, I will be getting
an early taste of spring,(almost perpetual), with a
trip down to Oaxaca, Mexico next week.

Regards,
David

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