RE: Ferula communis in California

I had seed of 2 sp of Ebenus - creticu and biebersteiniana (I think 
that was it). It germinated erratically in Winter in a standard potting 
mix with a gravel topping but the seedlings went off, not with 
mildew but what looked like just plain rain damage to the 
cotyledons. It was disappointing. 

Ferula communis has been released here as a garden perennial. 
Mine looks great but it does seed fairly willingly and I am careful to 
cutr down the stalk before the seeds ripen. Last winter while 
walking in a national park about 15km away I noticed large stands 
of it growing on the steep cliff faces of waterfalls (they only run in 
winter) and thought to myself how odd it was to have gotten there. 
While the site is not remote it is a long way from cultivated 
gardens. It would seem that someone must have deliberately 
dropped seeds there. We all should take responsibility for making 
sure aour garden plants are well maintained, especially if there's a 
chance they could become naturalised and invasive as have 
Lavender stoechas, Watsonia sp, Freesia sp, Babiana sp, 
Oenothera sp, Verbena sp, Ox-eye daisies, Iris florentina (not a 
problem tho'), Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa canina, and quite a few other 
garden escapees - mostly from the 19th C.

regards

trevor n
Trevor Nottle
Garden Historian, Garden Writer, Designer, Consultant
WALNUT HILL, 5 Walker Street, Crafers, SA 5152 AUSTRALIA
Tel./ Fax. 61 8 83394210
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