Re: Looking for Acacia smallii source in the Bay Area...

At 10:35 AM 3/10/99 -0800, Krzysztof Kozminski wrote:
>Well, my A. subporosa seems to have croaked in the freeze of '98 and I'm
>looking for a more hardy replacement suitable for full sun,
>drought-resistant and preferably fragrant. Acacia smalli seems to fit
>the bill, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere.
>
>If anyone knows of a source within traveling distance of SF Bay, I am
>all ears. Any other ideas for a moderately-sized drought tolerant
>fragrant tree?
>
>Krzysztof Kozminski
>http://u1.netgate.net/~kk/
>kk@netgate.net

Hey Kris - 

I know the place in your front yard - seems to me you need something a
bit more gracefull and with year-round interest, being right by your
front door.  Acacia smallii does not seem to be much in evidence here,
being more suited to true desert regions (and perhaps looking more at
home there as well).  Here are some suggestions you might find useful
(some I know little about, but where I do, I provide some info):

Acacia adunca - Wallangara Wattle
Acacia farnesiana
http://www.beeflower.com/acacia.htm
Acacia millefolia
Acacia podalyriifolia - Pearl Acacia
This is a very handsome and interesting tree - very silvery grey,
with almost round leaves (phyllodes - actually a flattened stem)
that are silky to the touch.  The clusters of yellow 'puff-ball'
flowers are borne through winter/spring.  A favorite!

Hymenosporum flavum - Australian Frangipani
An unusual, somewhat rare tree - kind-of a 'loose' Pittosporum, and
with more class.  Very fragrant (orange and honey) white flowers 
in loose clusters appear in early summer, aging deep yellow.  This
one likes deep, well-spaced watering.  It would appreciate the
bit of protection in your front yard.
http://www.treefarm.com.au/Hymenosporum_flavum_x.htm
http://www.bit.net.au/~peterrjo/hymenosporum.jpg

Pittosporum phillyraeoides - Willow Pittosporum
A very delicate, upright tree, with narrow, willowy leaves and
fragrant yellow flowers - more drought and heat tolerant than the
others of this genera.  One of my favorite trees.
(flower closeup):
http://www.guiaverde.com/arboles/Pittosporum%20phillyraeoides.jpg
(some poor habit photos):
http://www.plantadviser.com/plants/pittphil.htm
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/schoepke/pit_ph_1.jpg

Vitex agnus-castus - Chaste Tree
A handsome deciduous tree which tolerates intense heat, which promotes
the fragrant display of summer/fall blue panicles when most other
garden plants are in the 'doldrums'.  There are white and pink forms,
but I think the blue is best.  Very tolerant of a wide range of soils.
(various photos/info):
http://www.egarden.com/picOday/1998/10/6.html
http://www.growit.com/bin/PltInfo1.exe?MyPlant=931
http://www.streetside.com/plants/floridata/ref/v/vitex_a.htm


Good luck!  If you need source for some of these, I know of some
good possibilities (up here where the nurseries carry more interesting
species).

Sean O.

Sean A. O'Hara                       sean.ohara@poboxes.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.
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