Re: Crithmum maritimum (Sea Fennel)

Hi Deborah ,

we grow Crithmium maritimum for some seasons out here in the garden
,surviving lows
to -9 Celsius (duration frost) Overhere and possibly lower , it's not only
common on the
littoral in the Mediterranean , but also along the Portugese Atlantic coast
, up to the  North sea
coast in suitable habitats it needs free drainage and exposure to the
elements , otherwise they can grow lanky ,and is not good to look at ,

yes it produces seed in abundance they germinate best in the cooler part of
the year , but they
hate root disturbance , best is to sow the seeds in claypots ,with
freedraining soil ,not to dense ,
and plant the whole thing out , (like so many Umbellifers ) i failed three
times with it before i got the clue .

they are exposed to salt spray from the sea ,and they seem to like some if
that in cultivation too
it produces a stockier plant if given some see weed ,at times. This gives
them a nice blue /grey
leaf colour .

young shoots are highly palatable non only for deer ,but also for humans ,
and short cooked
they are a welcome additiont ,and rich in vitamins (there is no true fennel
here in winter .)

i think when well grown ,on a spartan diet , it can overcome the dry/hot
mediterranean summer ,

but it dislikes the combination  heat/moisture , irrigate every week is not
a good plan, i think
it's best to see how they behave in your situation , occasional a good
soaking is better .

possibly this is of help for you and others .


David Slootmans,

Botanic Garden Westmaas
P.O.box 5940
3273ZG Westmaas
The Netherlands
botanische.tuin-westmaas@worldmail.nl

----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Van: "Lindsay, Deborah" <Deborah.Lindsay@kaiseral.com>
Aan: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Verzonden: 29. januar 2003 00:50
Onderwerp: Crithmum maritimum (Sea Fennel)


> Hi all,
>
> I just bought one plant of Crithmum maritimum and wonder what people's
> experiences with it have been. How drought tolerant is it?
> Can it grow through our 6 month bone-dry but not particularly hot season
> without
> irrigation (once established) or would it like
> a soak once a month or ?.
> Will it take once per week irrigation without rotting out? How wide
> does it grow? If I can get it to bloom and set seed is it difficult to
> germinate? It is a new one to me and very interesting (of course every
> medit.
> plant new to me is inherently interesting...)I've already done a google
> search
> but I'm not finding info about growing it in *gardens*.
>
> Deborah Lindsay
> Oakland,Ca. where we are having an unseasonably warm, dry week, but I'm
not
> complaining!
>
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