Re: Autumn color in a Medit. climate

In a message dated 9/29/99 6:18:02 PM EST, jansmithen@earthlink.net writes:

<<  And
 even though Sunset (the book) says it gets to 60 feet, I've never seen
 it any higher than 12 to 13 feet with a compact crown of about 8 to 10
 ft.  >>

They (Chinese Pistache) are planted as street trees in my neighborhood.  The 
oldest trees are only around 20-25 years old, and are already 30 to 40 feet 
tall and somewhat more across.  

<<My other favorite coloring tree here in Southern Calif. is the Japanese
persimmon,  Diospyros kaki (had to look that one up!) The variety
"Hachiya' is considered the most beautiful, but I believe they are all
attractive trees year round.  Sunset says they grow to 30 ft. but,
again, I've only seen them in gardens at about 15 ft.>>

I have 'Hachiya' and 'Fuyu' in my garden.  Hachiya is the more vigorous 
variety, and would probably grow to 30 feet if I let it.  I prune it hard 
every year to keep it compact.  This also helps the tree to produce fewer 
(although still WAY more than I can use and/or give away) and much larger 
fruits, which are very ornamental after the leaves have fallen.  Fortunately, 
birds (particularly Northern Flickers, Mockingbirds, and Yellow-Rumped 
Warblers) are very fond of ripe persimmons, and they help me to use up the 
excess.  Not a good choice for a patio, or to overhang a drive or walk, 
however.  The large, soft fruits make a big, goopy 'splat!' when they fall 
that is difficult to clean up.  Hachiya is a large, acorn-shaped variety that 
is astringent until soft-ripe.  Fuyu is smaller and more flattened in shape, 
something like a tomato, and can be eaten while still firm.

I also recommend the pomegranate for fall color and perfect adaptation to a 
mediterranean climate.  The large, ruffled, scarlet blooms of early summer 
are gorgeous and exotic-looking.  The leaves turn bright yellow before 
falling.  The large red fruits (I have the variety 'Wonderful') persist long 
after the leaves have fallen, and are very ornamental.  They are also 
attractive to birds, once the Autumn rains have caused them to swell and 
split open.  This is also when they make the best "hand grenades."  As 
children, we would use them for ammunition in our mock battles.  One of those 
babies lobbed at an enemy's position could be guaranteed to explode, sending 
juicy red shrapnel flying in every direction!

Another great tree for Fall color is the 'Bradford' pear, a form of Pyrus 
Calleryana.  The trees are upright to around 30 feet, with a compact, oval 
crown.  The leaves turn a brilliant red in late Autumn, and hold on the tree 
for two weeks or more before falling.  It is also one of the first trees to 
bloom in the Spring, completely covering itself with white blossoms, 
beginning in February here in Northern California.  The summer foliage is a 
clean, glossy, dark green.  This tree also seems to take almost any amount of 
abuse, and requires very little water.  A great favorite with landscape 
architects, to judge from its ubiquity in parking lots, commercial plantings, 
etc.

As noted earlier, I don't think too highly of Sedum 'Autumn Joy.'

Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
USDA Zone 9
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