Re: FW: Tall, thin screen
John MacGregor wrote:
>
> From: "John MacGregor" <jonivy@earthlink.net>
> To: Nan Sterman <nsterman@mindsovermatter.com>
> Subject: Re: Tall, thin screen
> Date: Mon, May 8, 2000, 9:33 AM
>
> Nan,
>
> Jan's suggestion of Dodonaea viscosa would work, and you
> have the choice between green and maroon-purple. Mine would
> be the Grecian laurel, Laurus nobilis, planted 36 or 42
> inches on center. It would take about three years to reach
> 10 feet, with plenty of water and fertilizer. Then deep
> watering about once a month with no fertilizer should
> suffice. It could be maintained with one or two shearings
> per year, or if you prefer, hand pruning just the shoots
> that stick out. These can be used for cooking and flower
> arrangements. If you shear it as Christmastime, the
> branches make elegant, fragrant wreathes with dried flowers
> added for color.
>
Hi John
My experience of Lauris nobilis is that it suckers fearfully (I grow
one only as a container plant for this reason). Do you perhaps have a
non-suckering form?
For anybody interested. Dodonea viscosa is an NZ native its local name
being Akeake. The green form is the normal wild one but the first
maroon leaved form was a natural sport and breeds true, though the
depth of colour is variable. The very rich coloured forms often seen in
cultivation are I suppose either selcted seedlings or maybe cutting
grown.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
