Re: 'dry sticks'

On 5/9/07, Sean A. O'Hara <sean@gimcw.org> wrote:

Barry -

This reminds me of a fellow in Oakland, and enthusiastic native plant
promoter.  The trouble is, the garden he is constantly dragging people to see
as an example (his own) is hideous!!  Talk about dry sticks!  Even at the
lushest time of year, his garden looks like 'dry sticks'!  I think he has
single-handedly turned off more people to native plant gardening than anyone I
know!


I think the problem with most who are really into native Californian
plants that I've met is, they have no idea about how to care for the
plants in a garden setting. A few things need to be cut back, like
Diplacus (Mimulus), otherwise they get leggy and do look like "dry
sticks". Same with Artemesia californica, it can look beautiful, but
after a few years they get really leggy and rather scraggly unless you
knock them back. Most of it is picking the right things to appeal to
people. Not everyone is going to like Chamise (Adenostoma), but I've
not seen people complain about Rhamnus californica, since it is a very
neat plant, with beautiful foliage and berries.

The Watershed Institute at CSU Monterey Bay is an example of a garden
which is just allowed to grow as it pleases. I planted some of the
shrubs along the roadside, and many are leggy and rather unkempt. I
understand that they believe in leaving it alone, but I don't think
they're getting people to appreciate the native flora by letting it
grow as it pleases. There are a few things which do look nice, but
most of the smaller shrubs really need a trim back (especially since I
know they aren't going to send a fire through it!).
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