Re: Podalyras (was Lobostemon fruiticosus

--- Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
> 
> Both P calyptrata and P sericea are commonly grown
> in NZ and I am
> surprised to hear what their native conditions are
> like, as in
> cultivation here any sunny well-drained soil with
> only light frosts will
> suit and they certainly do not seem to need
> streamside conditions to
> flourish. 

Moira,
I agree with you that it is surprising to read how the
native habitat for many south african plants such as
Podalyria and Psoralea seems so much more specialized
in habitat than what they tolerate in cultivation. 
Neither requires especially moist conditions to do
well here in San Francisco, just regular garden
watering, and Psoralea pinnata does quite well in
sandy or clay soils with fairly dry conditions.  The
Podalyria calyptrata at Strybing Arboretum is also
growing in ancient sand dune soils with only light
irrigation, and does fine, but obviously doesn't get
the trimming back after bloom, as it *is* a rather
straggly looking shub that wouldn't attract anyone's
attention out of bloom, which may explain its lack of
popularity here in the SF Bay Area.  I aways thought
the blooms alone made this worth growing, but couldn't
find a source for live plants.

Is Psoralea aphylla grown in New Zealand?  This is
another one that I would like to find locally...

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