Re: How to care for Senecio tamoides - California source?
Sean,
Is this plant available in the San Francisco bay area? On the web I found 11
references under Metacrawler, most from S.africa or europe, and 1 from an old
Fullerton Botanic Garden sale note. Interestingly, besides the 11 references
pulled up, (none from US nurseries) Metacrawler asked if I were interested in
menstrual problems. Perhaps the plant has some pharmaceutical properties. A
couple of the sites mentioned it as a ground cover, which, if it does grow that
fashion, would make it useful. I am heartened by Glen's post that it grows in
very low rainfall areas. I wonder if it can outcompete algerian ivy (Hedera
canariensis), the bane of California yards, a plant which I should have
nominated for most obnoxious weed a while back.
I have another Senecio, popuulifolius (sp?) which I don't have any reference
for, and which I have found does not grow very well in full sun in Berkeley,
California (dry summers 15-20 degrees - up to 26) but does quite well with
several hours of sun a day, and does better with regular water.
"Sean A. O'Hara" wrote:
> I grow Senecio tamoides up here in Oakland (already a bit cooler) quite
> successfully, from the base of an obnoxious Cotoneaster and into its
> canopy. The sloping, well drained clay soil gets very dry due to root
> competition from this big shrub, but the Senecio does not mind in the
> least. It is also in the shade until the top of the canopy, where the
> bright green leaves and yellow flowers (in fall) are starting to cover the
> top of the Cotoneaster.
