Re: crambe cordifolia in medit climate?
Gary wrote:
>We have one on its second year up here in Shasta County where it's a lot hotter
>than down there, (but also somewhat colder in winter) and it is looking pretty
>good I think.
[Snip]
> It is in the
>shade all winter, so that may give it the winter cold it needs, but our soil
>certainly never freezes. It's probably not quite fair to say we're growing it in
>a mediterranean climate since we irrigate that area regularly all summer,
That's probably why it does so well - a decent rest it doesn't need
to freeze but it does need to go properly dormant and plenty of water
- it is a heavy drinker!
>An acquaintance here gave me root cuttings of the other one, Crambe maritima
>which has done very well to the point of invasive at his place in Anderson in a
>full sun vegetable garden. I don't know if it compares in ornamental value
>with C. cordifolia, but the small ones (still in containers) are really nice
>with bluish glaucous wavy leaves. Any information others have about C. maritima
>would be appreciated.
It's a native of the UK and grows on cliffs tops around here. It is
probably a more suitable plant for dry poor soils and I suspect would
thrive in a mediterranean environment since it's requirements are very
few. Here it grows in the short turf on cliff faces as well as in
steep crevices. Quite an impressive sight when in flower and provided
the snails don't get the leaves when they are young, quite a nice
foliage plant too. Not as big and impressive as C. cordifolia, but it
makes up for that by being a more than passable vegetable.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
