Fwd:Dry shade & clivias

>Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 07:05:57 -0800
>To: bade@math.berkeley.edu
>From: Michael Barclay <opga@wenet.net>
>Subject: Re: dry shade/clivia
>Cc:
>Bcc:
>X-Attachments:
>
>>Hi Angela,
>>Sean has a very good point, about Berkeley, Calif. dry shade not being
>>so difficult to deal with because of our summer fogs. Marjorie Schmidt's
>>book GROWING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS has a list of plants for dry
>>shade. She gardened in Saratoga, CA, the mountains of northern california
>>and in Berkeley. There is also a good little book GARDENING IN AND
>>AROUND OAKS, published by the Oak Foundation with an address in Oakland,
>>which I don't have at hand. It would be helpful too.
>>Elly Bade
>>
>>On Thu, 1 Jun 2000, Sean A. O'Hara wrote:
>>
>>>  Angela -
>>>
>>>  There are indeed many very carefree, drought tolerant shade plants that are
>>>  common in the Bay Area, either in nurseries and garden centers or from
>>>  shared plants.  Nan suhhested Berkeley Hort's shade list - I actually take
>>>  issue with many of the plants listed.  It seems to be that the reference to
>>>  'dry shade' can be a relative one (how dry is 'dry'?).  I recently created
>>>  a list on the mediterranean climate gardening site:
>>  > http://www.support.net/Medit-Plants/plants/shade.dry.html
>>>  that I think are more to be trusted, and more capable of tolerating really
>>>  dry shade.  If anyone has other species they feel would be good additions,
>>>  or if they'd like to challenge those listed, please let me know.
>>>
>>>  In Berkeley, often cooler in the summer due to the influences of fog and
>>>  cool Golden Gate air, dry shade is a more moderate environment.  Dry shade
>>>  in San Jose or Walnut Creek is more challenging.
>>>
>>>  If you can tell me more about this site, perhaps what the address is, I
>>>  might be able to drive by and give you more precise suggestions for what to
>>>  plant.
>>>
>>>  Regards,
>>>  Sean O.
>>>
>>>  At 01:38 PM 5/31/00 -0700, LEE,ANGELA IUE-CHIH wrote:
>>>  >Hi folks,
>>>  >
>>>  >I've got a two part question regarding dry shade plants and clivias.
>>>  >
>>>  >I've been asked to suggest some plants for a very shady strip running
>>>  >along the side of my parent's house in Berkeley (i.e. mid 20's C in the
>>>  >summer and single digit temperatures in the winter) . My parents don't
>>>  >particularly care what they put in there as long as they don't have to
>>>  >put in much care once the plants are established.  I am trying to persuade
>>>  >them to at least put
>>>  >in something that will tolerate drought if (ok, when) another drought hits
>>>  >california.  Any recommendations for dry shade plants from groundcover to
>>  > >3ft tall would be most welcome.  The plants would also have to be readily
>>>  >available at any nearby nursery or such supermarket type places like Home
>>>  >Depot.  The garden is more a chore than pleasure for my parents and I
>>  > >would like to convince them that drought tolerant non-invasive plants are
>>  > >as easy to obtain and grow as a more weedy or more water needy plant.
>>  > >
>>  > >I noticed on the medit-plant web site that clivia miniata is a suggested
>>  > >plant for dry shade.  I have always associated this plant with rather
>>>  >moist situations.  How shady and how dry? will they flower in heavy
>>>  >shade?  Do they like water but can tolerate occasional drought or will
>>>  >they do fine during a prolonged period of drought?  would this plant be a
>>>  >good choice for the conditions I've described above?
>>>  >
>>>  >Thanks in advance for any suggestions
>>>  >Angela Lee
>>>
>>>
>>>  Sean A. O'Hara                       sean.ohara@groupmail.com
>>>  h o r t u l u s   a p t u s          710 Jean Street
>>>  'a garden suited to its purpose'     Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
>>>  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>>  Ask me about the worldwide Mediterranean gardening discussion group
>>>
>>>
>>

	Angela,						06/02/00

	Clivia miniata has no restrictions on thriving in the darkest, driest
shade areas in Berkeley and other coastal cities.  It is constrained only
by winter cold, only hardy to around 28f.  It has died out in enormous
numbers during our prolonged period of.freeze.

	They should however choose a variety with the broadest possible dark
green leaves and a variety with the most intense floral color.

	I still cling to the idea of mixed bergenias which would supply longer
color with greater variety and is bone hardu.  Just my $00.50 of wisdom.

Begonia evansii will also thrive in dry shade and creates a weed free upper
surface to the soil.  I would also recommend that whatever is eventually
planted go into enriched soil with lots of organic matter and that polymers
be used along with Osmocote 18-6-12.

	Cheers!
	Michael D.Barclay, Really Special Plants & Gardens,  Berkeley
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