Re: Buchus
Tim Longville wrote:
>
it's apparently a word from the Koikhoi
> language (singular buchu, plural buchus) commonly used in South Africa
> to describe those smaller shrubby members of the Rutaceae family which
> have pleasantly scented leaves when touched, rubbed or crushed, at
> least some of which are not only grown in S. African gardens but are
> grown commercially (for use in cosmetics, scents, soaps, etc). The
> genera involved include Acmadenia, Adenandra, Agathosma, Coleonema,
> Diosma, Empleurum, Euchaetis, Macrostylis, Phyullosma and
> Sheilanthera.
> The only genus of the whole gang of which I have personal experience
> is the Agathosma. Agathosma obovata seems to
> be the other sp available in the UK.
>
> Queries: are any of these genera grown elsewhere (apart from S.A.
> itself, that is)? None, apart from that single sp, Agathosma ovata,
> seems to be commercially available in the UK - and that single species
> from a single nursery, that of the splendid Derry Watkins, who has a
> particular interest in S. African plants. Does anyone on this list
> grow or know any of them? If so, any comments, on their desirability,
> cultivation, possible hardiness, would be much appreciated.
>
> Warm and wet beside the Solway: tree ferns and ginger lilies putting
> out new growth daily if not hourly....
Hi Tim
Well, I can extend your knowledge somewhat, as members of several of
these genera are well known here.
Agathosemas are apparently grown here, but I don't think very commonly.
I haven't come across them myself. As well as A ovata the book lists A.
dielsiana (flowers white red or mauve or sometimes yellow!) and A
betulina which is somewhat large in all its parts and has quite showy
pink-mauve flowers singly at the tips of the branches.
These are all listed as zones 9-10 and it remarks most will tolerate the
ocasional light to moderate frost (whatever that means).
Adenandra is much better known, with two species available, though I
must admit I have not seen them offered for sale recently, so they may
not be fashionable at present.. My older, but very reliable source of
information describes both. A.fragrans 2-3ft, flowering in late winter
or early spring single wide-open rosy pink fragrant flowers good for
cutting. "It seems easily grown in any free loose soil with good
drainage and frosts not exceeding 8 degrees "(that would be farenheit- I
said it was an old book).
A.uniflora (china flower) Is a spreading shrub up to 2-3 ft across and
the flowers are quite spectacular, being a good inch across, white with
rose veins and a porcelain-like finish. They are produced spring and
summer, but are not suitable for cutting. This is marginally the more
hardy, taking in zone 8 and would probably be worth attempting if you
can come by it.
I have grown it for other people in years gone by, but do not have it
myself.
Unlike Adenandra, Coleonemas are very high in the local popularity
stakes. They are popularly known as "Breath of Heaven" from the sweet
scent of their flowers.
The most widely grown species is the pink-flowered C pulchellum. The
standard version of this grows up to 5ft high, but much more popular are
'Compactum' and especially 'Sunset Gold'. The later has a low spreading
habit and also quite brilliant light gold foliage, which gives it a dual
usefulness. There are also plain-leaved versions with deeper pink
flowers. C. album is a tall white flowered species with the same lovely
scent.
Although Coleonemas are listed as zones 9-10 they seem to be hardy
throughout my local area and certainly at least as tough as Adenandra
uniflora as far as I can see. They are freely grown in Wainui, where the
temp. can (very rarely) fall as low as 6C. I guess a sheltered site, a
lean soil and good drainage are the main keys to success.
None of the other genera you list seem to be known here. (I enjoyed your
crack about Sheilanthera and the Ozzies, by the way)
Glad to hear how well your garden is blowing and growing
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
