Re: Gray-Blue-White-Silver

on 6/11/04 10:49 AM, Joe Seals at gardenguru@yahoo.com wrote:

> What is everyone's favorite gray-leaved shrub(s)?
> 
> That includes those that have white, silver and the
> ubiquitous "glaucous blue" foliage.

Joe,

So far no one has mentioned my all-time favorite blue-glaucus shrub,
Leptospermum laevigatum 'Reevesii'.  It is so easily grown, reliable, and
provides such a lusciously cool color that I try to include it in every
garden I design.

This form originated back in the 1930s from a congested "witch's broom"
mutation on the typical form of the species.  It is slow-growing--with ample
water, after ten years it has formed  a mound 4 feet tall and six feet wide,
but it can be kept smaller if desired by selective light annual pruning.
Like the Australian tea tree from which it arose, it is also extremely
drought-tolerant once established, easily getting by with deep watering
every 2-3 weeks.  It thrives in full, blistering sun or partial shade.  It
was first propagated and distributed by the late, great nursery of Evans and
Reeves in Santa Monica.  Now, it is only grown by a couple of wholesale
nurseries becuse of its slow growth.  It really deserves to be a standard
nursery item.

John MacGregor
South Pasadena, CA 91030
USDA zone 9   Sunset zones 21/23
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