Re: MYRSINE AFRICAN
- Subject: Re: MYRSINE AFRICAN
- From: J* S*
- Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2002 10:59:01 -0800
david feix wrote:
> Helene,
>
> This was just the actual experience that I was hoping
> to get from someone in the group, and I really
> appreciate it!
I, too have a 12" hedge (kept 12" wide) of Myrsine africanus outlining
my two small herb beds. It is 3 years old from 1 gallon plants planted
12" apart, and has filled in nicely. I find I must clip it 3 to 4 times
a year, but this is easy to do.
Japanese gardeners taught us long ago that one could dwarf a large
growing shrub (and some trees) by repeated shearing , starting when the
plant was very young. This continual limiting of the foliage results in
a limited root system, thus dwarfing the plant. If they could do it
with their artistic pruning and shaping, we can also do it. All it takes
is regular maintenance!
The Orange Garden at Landriana that Helene speaks of, contains round
headed Acer platanoides 'Globosum', and sour oranges 'Bouquet de Fleurs'
over the balls of African box, all kept to size by regular clipping.
This combines to reveal a multi-layered green garden of forms, rather
than color, and is most inspiring.
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Jan Smithen,
Upland, California
jansmithen@earthlink.net
Sunset zone : 19
USDA zone : 10
http://home.earthlink.net/~jansmithen/
Visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum
Victorian Rose Garden website at:
http://victorian-rose.org/
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