PITTOSPORUM phillyreoides

Dear Medit-Planters (especially those in hot low rainfall areas)-

David Feix seemed so surprised that this plant is widely available in
Southern California that I called Kathy Musial at the Huntington to
check
out my thoughts.   She said all the big wholesalers grow it and all the
better
retail nurseries carry it.

I first learned about it by buying several from the Nor Cal Trade Show
back
it 1983.   Last night I looked it up in SHRUBS & TREES FOR AUSTRALIAN
GARDENS by Lord & Willis.   They write:  "A graceful
little weeping tree rarely reaching 30' tall.   The pendulous branches
and willow-like leaves ,  masses of fragrant little bell shaped flowers
and quaint
yellow orange fruit capsules <snip>.   It is ubiquitous in all the
warmer
areas of Australia,  particularly iland,  and is an extremely useful and
unique tree for street plantings,  parks and gardens in all low-rainfall

areas."

First note the correct spelling in the subject box.   Then if you want
to try
one they carry them contnuously from Santa Barbara south to Chula Vista.

One friend says they are found at Longs,  Payless,  and in every Home
Depot.   There is a gorgeous 20 footer in the main parking lot at the LA

County Arboretum.

I've even used it in San Francisco as a pot tree against the south wall
of a
patio.   It was once as common as the now rare LillyPilly.   They both
are
slow in our climate and may be lost in an extended freeze but mine
survived freezes with little damage in 1989,  1990, and 1999.   Try it,
you'll
like it.
MDBarclay
"America's Garden Wizard"
Sunset Zone 16/17
operatic@earthlink.net

PS-Has anyone seen a phillyrea in California?
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