Friday, February 18, 2022

Chamisa: the Perfect Flowering Shrub for Xeriscaping

 


Years ago, driving through Utah's Canyonland and desert, I saw this attractive, yellow-blooming plant for the first time. Later I spotted it in Arizona, Colorado, and even in Alberta, Canada, and Northern Mexico.

Chamisa or Rabbitbrush is a 2-5 ft., deciduous shrub with aromatic, blue-green, feathery foliage and dense clusters of bright-yellow, fuzzy flowers.  When grown in well-drained soil it takes on a soft, mounded form.  Wiry, white stems and dry seedheads create winter interest.  Rabbitbrush is fast-growing, reaching maturity in 2 to 4 years, and has a lifespan of 5 to 20 years.  Hardiness zones are:
5 to 11 - from Canada to Northern Mexico in dry areas.

Plant in full sun, clay-alkaline or sandy, well-draining soil.  

Once established, you don't need to water in the future.





Propagation
Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings in late winter. Seeds viability is often low. Direct seeding is not recommended and since seedlings are easily transplanted, it is best to sow seeds on greenhouse flats. Seeds may benefit from a period of moist chilling.

Animals Food
It can be an important browse species for mule deer and pronghorn during fall and winter. It also provides cover for mammals and small nesting birds.  Rabbits do not prefer eating rabbitbrush, so perhaps the name refers to the animal’s use of rabbit brush for cover.


Healing Plant
Native tribes in the South-West made tea by steeping the leaves.  It seems to have worked for curing stomach disorders at several pueblos.  This tea was also used as a gargle for colds and as a bath for fever patients.  Ground dry leaves mixed with cornmeal were used in treating wounds.


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Saturday, February 12, 2022

Plants of Baja California Sur - Part 2

 

Palo Verde Tree


Myrtillo Cactus

Also known as Bilberry Cactus, Cactus Myrtle, or Blue Candle, this is a large shrubby cactus that can grow up to 5 meters high.  The fruit is edible and sold for consumption in Mexico.  The bilberry cactus is fast growing.  It’s a type of desert cactus, which requires little watering.  During the summer months, you can water them once every two weeks and allow the soil to dry before watering again.  In winter, you can water it as rarely as once a month.



Myrtilla Cactus


Barrel Cactus
As seen in the resort gardens at Tango Azul this cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert.  It can grow to an impressive 6 ft. (1.3 m) in height and measure 2 ft. (60 cm) in diameter.  Although the most common types grow between 3 and 4 ft. (0.9 – 1.2 m).  The olive-green skin of the barrel cactus is covered in yellow hooked spines that grow on the ribs.  This cactus species is drought-resistant and gets moisture from occasional rain that takes place.  The barrel cactus flowers in the middle of June and these blooms are a delightful yellow or reddish-orange color.



Barrel Cactus



Ferocactus Pringlei
Common name: Mexican Fire Barrel - brings year-round visual interest with bold red spines and a striking green body.  It is virtually disease-free and deer resistant.  Water regularly during the growing season, and suspend irrigation in winter.   Allow the soil to fully dry out in between waterings, and do not leave in standing moisture.  Plant in average, well-drained, gritty soil.  Full sun is required unless the site is very hot, then provide partial shade.  Propagate by offsets or seeds collected from over-ripe fruits. The cactus possesses sharp spines, be very careful when handling it, and do not place it near walkways.




Mexican Fire Barrel


Dracaena trifasciata - or Snake Plant

This well-known house plant thrives in the garden at the Tango Azul Resort La Ventana, Baja California Sur. 

Known for its spiky, sword-shaped leaves, Dracaena trifasciata has also been called Mother-in-La's Tongue, Saint George's sword, Devil'sTongue.  But most popular is also the name Snake Plant.  The leaves boast an attractive array of colors, ranging from light to dark green and yellow.  Its real power is the oxygen it produces at night which makes it attractive as an indoor plant too.




Snake Plant


Hibiscus 

They are among the showiest plants in southern gardens.  The many species offer an astonishing range of flower colors and numerous blooms over a long season.  Colors range from white through pink to dark red, from yellow and apricot to orange.  Individual flowers usually last only a day or two, but the plant blooms continuously in spring and fall.


The trumpet-shaped Hibiscus blooms are typically 3 to 8 inches in diameter with dramatic protruding stamens.  Native to Asia, tropical hibiscus plants produce flowers constantly, but each blossom only lasts one day.  The shrub is fast-growing and can add up to 24 inches per year, eventually reaching heights of up 15 feet when grown under ideal conditions.  Plant in full sun, or partial shade. Regular feeding with a diluted fish emulsion fertilizer will keep it blooming vigorously.


Hibiscus



Bougainvillea

This colorful attractive plant is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees belonging to the four o'clock family, Nyctaginaceae.  Bougainvillea vines are fast growers and have stiff stems with thorns covered in heart-shaped leaves.  Their vines can grow up to 40 feet tall with support.  Low-growing, shrubby varieties only get a few feet tall and can be grown in containers.


Bougainvillea blooms come in purple, red, orange, white, pink, and yellow. But those blooms actually aren't blooms at all.  The paper-like structures are a modified leaf called a bract that hides bougainvillea's true flowers: small, trumpet-shaped blooms of white and yellow.


Bougainvillea will grow best when given enough space to spread out and should be planted in an area that will allow them more than 6 hours of sunlight every day.  They like gritty, loose soil.  For the best bloom, trim all branches back to 20 feet or less.  Bougainvillea blooms on new growth, so you can prune after each bloom cycle.


Bougainvillea roots are thin and can be easily damaged during transplanting. Water after planting and then weekly until the plant is established. Once it's established (which generally takes one to two years), stop watering it except in times of extreme drought.  Bougainvillea likes it dry.


Feed the soil around it with compost.  A 3-inch layer of compost in the spring is plenty. If you must fertilize, use palm or hibiscus food.  Adding a bit Epsom salt is a simple way to increase the health of their blooms, and is something that you can include easily as a part of a normal routine.


Read more:

https://www.gardendesign.com/vines/bougainvillea.html

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/vine/bougainvillea/

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/flowers/bougainvillea-care




Bougainvilla


Neem Trees

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as the Neem tree or Indian lilac, is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae.  It is typically grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions.

Neem trees are attractive broad-leaved evergreens that can grow up to 30 m tall and 2.5 m in girth.  Their spreading branches form rounded crowns as much as 20 m across.  They remain in leaves except during an extreme drought, when the leaves may fall off.

The Neem leaf is used to treat leprosy, eye disorders, bloody nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite, skin ulcers, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), fever, diabetes, gum disease (gingivitis), and liver problems.  Read more:

https://food.ndtv.com/health/benefits-and-uses-of-neem-a-herb-that-heals-1231051




Neem Tree


Lomboy Trees 

Called Blackberry or Jambolan are evergreen trees in the family myrtaceae.  The fruit of this tree is called Java plum or jamun.  Consumption of this juicy jamun, purple fruit can provide relief from many health problems and diseases.  Good quality jambolan juice is excellent for sherbet and sirup.

Seedlings grow slowly the first year, rapidly thereafter, and may reach 12 ft (3.65 m) in 2 years, and begin bearing in 8 to 10 years.  Grafted trees bear in 4 to 7 years.  No particular cultural attention seems to be required, apart from frost protection when young and control measures for insect infestations

The tree is grown as a shade tree for coffee in India. It is wind-resistant and sometimes is closely planted in rows as a windbreak. If topped regularly, such plantings form a dense, massive hedge.  Trees are set 20 ft (6 m) apart in a windbreak.  Read more:

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html


Lomboy Tree



Palm Sago (Cycas revoluta)

A popular, low-growing palm that is seen in most tropical landscapes.  Leaves are dark green and glossy on stiff stems.  The leaves develop from a rosette and limbs can be pruned if a trunk from Sago Palm is desired.  Makes a nice specimen plant or can be grown in large containers on patios or balconies. This is actually a cycad, not a true palm. 

Zones 9-11. Height and Width. 4-8' H x 6-10' W.  Water regularly or more frequently in extreme heat.  Fertilize in spring and summer with a well- balanced fertilizer, specially designed for palms.  

Seeds of the sago palm are usually bright orange to red in appearance. Like many large seeds, be prepared to wait patiently, as sago palm seed germination may take several months.  To begin growing sago palm from seed, growers will need a quality pair of gloves, as the seeds do contain toxins.  Read more:

http://yourplantinfo.com/gallery/palm/sago-palm





Saw Palmetto

Known scientifically as Serenoa repens, Saw palmetto is a slow-growing, clumping, multi-trunked palm that typically grows 5 to 10 feet tall and spreads 4 to 10 feet wide.  Plant a mass of silver saw palmettos under a tree.  This native plant tolerates a range of conditions and provides wonderful textural interest beneath new or established trees. 


It has stout stems that usually crawl across the ground and produce fan-shaped fronds. While most forms have green leaves, leaf color is variable, with silver to blue-silver forms.  In the horticultural trade, forms with more silvery foliage are sometimes given names including ‘Sericea’, ‘Cinerea’, or 'Glauca’.  


Position plants away from walkways, driveways, play areas, or any place where the saw-like teeth along the stems might cause harm.  This plant provides a beautiful backdrop for mixed borders and works well as a privacy hedge or foundation planting.  Saw palmetto prefers full sun but will grow in almost any light conditions. It will benefit from regular watering at first but will be very drought-tolerant once established.



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Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Icy Temperatures: Can it Kill Off Nasty Bugs?




Before this 2021/2022 winter, we’ve had a few decades of warmer-than-average winter temperatures, allowing some insect populations to explode.  So contrarily, this year’s brutal winter should knock them back.  Right?

Invaders from the South

It is true that temperature affects the range of a species.  We know that our warming climate is allowing some insect species to migrate north — for example, deer ticks that carry Lyme Disease (which are not insects per se, but rather arachnids, but I digress). 


When temperatures drop well below -18°C though, many individual insects die. 
The colder the temperature becomes, the fewer survive.

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How Cold Does It Have To Get?

The actual temperature required to kill off insects varies across species.  The emerald ash borer, for example, can generally withstand temperatures as low as -29°C.  Any colder than that and about half of their population die-off.  At -34°C, even more, are wiped out.  The longer and colder the temperature, the more insects die.

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Read what seed- and plant specialist Barbara Schaefer researched about this winter's effect on nasty insect populations:  
https://gardensbybarby.ca/true-or-false-cold-winters-kill-bugs/

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Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Botanical Gardens Around San Francisco





The Bay Area is in bloom all year round.  So any time you come to San Francisco
you will be able to admire nature's best flowers and shrubs. 

Alcatraz Prison Gardens


Surprisingly beautiful gardens, grown by prisoners and staff in an unexpected setting.  You will find beautiful blooms and desert plants even around the famous Alcatraz prison gardens on an island tour.  The best weather is usually from March to June - after that it gets foggy.  







To get there, book any of the numerous Alcatraz Tours, starting at the San Francisco Harbor.

https://Alcatrazgardens.org








Golden Gate Park & Botanical Gardens

I once spent several months in the Silicon Valley and explored Sand Francisco and the Bay Area, and most of all the wonderful botanical gardens.  For days I was walking with my dog through all the parts of this huge park, larger than Central Park in New York City. The gold rush of the 1850s brought enormous wealth to San Francisco and the city's fathers wanted to show off the prosperity of their new metropolis.
A 12,000 ft Victorian glasshouse was brought over from Europe.  A sturdy structure that even survived the 1906 earthquake.  Japanese gardens, waterfalls, even a small bison herd can be found here too.  Most flowers bloom from February to June.

Among many other plants and blooms, you will be smitten by California Poppies, Tulips, Fuchsias, Dogwoods, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons in Spring.  Summer finds an abundance of Roses, Hydrangeas, and Dahlias.  Autumn colors are by Liquid Ambers, Swamp Cypress, and Gingkoes, and in Winter Camellias, Native Ceanothus (California Lilacs), Tulips, Lavender, Grevillea, Protea, Leucadendrons, and Strelitzia show their beauty.  And I am even not mentioning the various succulents and cacti that thrive here too.

https://GoldenGatePark.com










Palo Alto's Elizabeth Gamble Garden 

South of San Francisco, it is somewhat hidden, and I discovered it only when I walked my dog in the neighborhood and saw a small sign. Officially dogs are not allowed, but the two friendly gardeners who I asked, gave me permission as on this early morning no other visitors were around. 

A vine-covered gazebo and a posh cottage can be seen, as well as the mansion of Ms. Gamble that can be visited during the week. Especially the rose garden and the wisteria garden are the highlight of this botanical jewel.

https://GambleGarden.org










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Hakone Japanese Garden, Saratoga

It is recognized as one of the oldest Japanese-style residential gardens in the Western Hemisphere.  Located on a steep hill, it is not as strong 'Japanese' as some others, but more an 'English Garden Style' in a Japanese setting and with Japanese plants.  Similar to the one in Hayward on the east side of the Bay.  But the buildings, bridges, and the pond with its Koi fish are typical Japanese.

https://Hakone.com







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Ruth Bancroft Gardens

The perfect showcase for Californians to ditch their ugly lawns and go xeriscaping! I doubt if these plants ever saw a garden water hose or can, after all the palms, cacti, yuccas, agaves, and other succulents can thrive on the occasional rain or fog.  This little paradise of dry plants is located among residential areas in Walnut Creek, east of San Francisco.

Wandering through the beautifully arranged plant areas, you may want to totally change your own garden setting - if you live in the southern states.  In fact, you can purchase some of the plants, raised in this water-wise, low-maintenance' dry garden'.

https://RuthBancroftGarden.org











Find inspiration in the many gardens in and around San Francisco and the Bay Area.  Don't forget to hike through any of the 75 parks in the East Bay Regional Park District, to admire the colorful wildflowers, such as poppies, silver lupine, pacific pea, periwinkle, and larkspur - especially after a generous spring rain.





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