RE: Lifespans
Bracey,
I've been thinking about this issue all day.
While this is a good question, I am afraid that it doesnt have an
easy answer. Lifespan is dependent on a myriad of variables -- not
only what kind of plant you are talking about, but also what kind of
soils are they in, how often are they watered, whether they get
overhead water or are irrigated by drip irrigation? How often they
are fertilized, whether they are pruned yearly or allowed to grow as
they please, what is planted nearby and how closely are they
planted. Light conditions, pest issues and the definition of "proper
care" are also issues.
I often hear that ceanothus, for example, are relatively short lived
(I've heard some folks say 2 - 3 years but after 5 years, mine are
still going strong) but the key word here is "relative." For
example, if you looked at a single garden over the course of many
years, you could say that some plants were longer lived than others
-- say a long lived perennial survived 15 years while a short-lived
perennial survived only five years. But the same plants in the
garden next door or across the state may may live 30 years and 10
years, depending on the variables.
Maybe there is research data that gives you the kinds of averages you
are looking for, but even if you found them, I would be hesitant to
give pass them on as they might create unrealistic expectations in
the folks you talk to.
If I were you, I would explore the reasons behind the question -- Why
are the askers asking about lifespan? What plants have they grown
that did not live as long as expected and what were the reasons for
their demise? How experienced a gardener are they? What kinds of
disease/pest problems do they have? Perhaps you could serve them
better by solving their irrigation or pest control problems...
Another issue to explore is how long they expect to live with this
garden. I wonder if in this an age when people seem to move every
couple of years, they are really asking whether they will need to
replace that plant in their tenure as steward for that garden.
Just some thoughts
Nan
>
>
>For example, ceanothus lasts an average of 10-15 years. What about
>camellias? What about salvias? What about buddleias? What about Italian
>Cypress? What about crepe myrtles? What about feijoa? That's the kind of
>information I'm after.
>
>I volunteer to provide gardening information to the public and we frequently
>get this kind of question. "How long will my (fill in the name) live with
>proper care?"
>
>Any place or book I might look? Thanks for any help.
>
>Bracey
>San Jose CA
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Robinson [r*@gte.net]
>Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2000 1:59 PM
>To: medit-plants
>Subject: FW: Lifespans
>
>Bracy asks for information on the 'average' lifespans of trees and
>shrubs and perennials that are typically planted in Mediterannean climate
>gardens.
>
>There may be an 'average' lifespan for Mediterranean plants but I
>would be surprised if the lifespan of one plant is directly related
>to the lifespan of another in any real way . . .would the lifespan of
>an oak plus the lifespan of an olive divided by two have any meaning?
>
>It may be true that perennial plants live longer in the milder
>Mediterannean climates but, in a very literal sense, you shouldn't
>compare apples with oranges.
>
>Bill
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Nan Sterman
San Diego County California
Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
