Re: Bob's Slope
- Subject: Re: Bob's Slope
- From: t*@igc.org
- Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 07:31:58 -0700
> "Rose, Melissa B" <mbrose@ucdavis.edu> wrote:
>Could any of you recommend a groundcover for a northern slope in the Sierra
>Foothills of CA? The area in question is studded with oak trees and there
>are also some photinia there. See below for a description of the soil
>conditions (clay of course)
A wonderful plant under oaks is the native Ribes viburnifolium, an
evergreen groundcover up to 3 feet high and 12 feet spread (branches root
as they touch ground; can be kept to 1 foot high). Also known as Catalina
Perfume, this is one of my favorite California leaf fragrances. It needs no
summer water. Here in the SF Bay Area, I've seen it flourishing in high
shade under coast live oaks, but turning yellow and failing to thrive in
full sun. The main limitation could be climate; how cold does it get there?
Other native California plants would be my second choices. I can make other
suggestions with more info on climate.
Tanya Kucak
Palo Alto, Calif.
Sunset zone 17
