Re: Paulownia (Pawlonia)

At 10:26 PM 1/29/01 +1100, jane zammit wrote:
>Gay, fascinating isn't it, based on some conversations earlier this evening
>I am now totally confused as to the reliablility of the data of the bush
>regeneration people - (apart from the fact that your area is probably too
>cold), cheers.......

Jane -

Yes, it is confusing.  It has to do with the regional climate differences, 
the very reason for this e-mail forum.  What is a weed in one area, isn't 
always elsewhere, and visa-versa.  Different climates provide the 
opportunities for a plant to get out of control, or not.  Some plants that 
are horribly invasive in climates like Sydney, Florida, and Pretoria are 
even hard to keep alive in Los Angeles, Naples, or Perth.

Paulownia is a major menace in the South Eastern states of the USA, and 
there are tremendous efforts underway to stem its spread.  But in the same 
country, over here on the western edge, is a very different climate, this 
tree is almost never a problem - indeed it is relatively never seen, even 
though there are trees planted in various parts for the past 40 years.

Local condition are the important consideration.  A plant that was very 
popular locally (and still is to some degree), Helichrysum petiolare, in 
its plain gray or variegated forms, never seemed to pose a particular 
problem.  As drought tolerant at it is, it was know to die out completely 
in an unirrigated garden.  Capable to growing to 6ft in a year, it was 
actually prized for a quick effect, and since the new shoots were the best, 
people cut it back as wildly as it grew.

In recent years though, it was discovered growing on the ocean-side flank 
of Mount Tamalpias, a beautiful chaparral covered landmark in our Marin 
County, north of San Francisco.  Here, with plenty of ocean fog to wet it 
throughout the year, and the cooler condition in which it thrives, it has 
quickly taken over a huge amount of land, blanketing (and killing) all of 
the native vegetation in its path.  It provided no real cover or food for 
wildlife, and was rampantly out of control.  Huge efforts are needed 
eradicate it and make sure it does not take over again.  Now, many 
nurseries refuse to sell this plant, even though it is still in vogue 
elsewhere, and it is routinely suggested as a good plant in magazines and 
books.

In other climates, this plant might never be a problem due to temperature 
extremes (it is considered annual on our Eastern US coast).

So, we share information to learn more about what is possible, and we try 
and keep the our focus and share our knowledge with others in climates like 
our own, but ultimately, we need to make sure it works for us in our own 
situations.

Regards,
Sean O.

h o r t u l u s   a p t u s     -    'a garden suited to its purpose'
Sean A. O'Hara        fax (707) 667-1173     sean.ohara@groupmail.com
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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