78 Great Northern Hwy, Midland, WA, 6056               Ph: (08) 9250 3682               Shop Hours:   10am   >>   6pm

SHOP

DATABASE

JOURNAL

CALIFORNIA

Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20

Page
12>
of 2
  • Arctostaphylos

    (Manzanita, Bearberry)
    Ericaceae

    • densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’   CAG01153

      (Vine Hill manzanita)
      Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A Californian shrub of outstanding merit. Leathery, dark green, elliptical leaves fail to hide the beautiful, peeling and glossy, cherry brown barked, sinuous branches. In spring, pendant clusters of small, pale pink, urn-like flowers are gracefully adorned in an abundance to compliment and complete a most unique and harmonious picture.

      Perhaps best as a specimen surrounded only by low growing plants to not detract visually and allow closer admiration, Californian annuals or ground covering Ceanothus would seem most appropriate, otherwise an ideal companion for larger Ceanothus, Dendromecon, Fremontodendron or other shrubs that enjoy similar conditions.

      Likely to be killed only by kindness, poor soil is preferred and an occasional deep drink in summer may be enjoyed. Light shade is also agreeable though certainly not necessary.

      No pruning is required unless density in place of grace is desirable, reputedly it responds well and would make for an exceptional informal hedge.


      Rarely are Manzanita to be encountered outside of gardens lucky enough to be in a mediterranean climate. Summers of sufficiently low humidity, such as we experience, are essential.

  • Baccharis
    • pilularis ‘Twin Peaks’   CAG02742

      (Dwarf coyote bush)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      An unexciting ground covering shrub from southern California. Forming a dense, billowing, knee deep sea of small, wax coated, holly-like, blue-green leaves on winding branches. Useful filler for median strips and verges, as a carpeting foil around tall Gums or buildings, or anywhere that Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper) fails, being longer lived and more tolerant of drought and physical abuse and responding well to pruning while in active growth during winter.

      For any sunny not too wet site. Summer irrigation is unnecessary but is tolerated.

      A male clone, bearing mostly irrelevant, cream, powder puff flowers in spring.

  • Calamagrostis
    • foliosa   CAG02254

      (Leafy reedgrass)
      Calamagrostis foliosa
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A small, cool season, shade tolerant grass from northern California that makes a soft mound of blue-green leaves with many gracefully arching, narrow, tan coloured plumes that last for months. Very neat and attractive with an annual trim in autumn as growth commences.

      For any soil with some shelter from midday sun. Occasional drinks through summer would be advisable as I've seen little evidence of drought tolerance but needs further testing.

      Tentatively offered as it seems to greatly resent division and root disturbance, I might not repeat the feat. I would expect greater reliability in cooler mediterranean climes.

  • Collinsia
    • heterophylla   CAG02464

      (Chinese houses)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
      SEEDS

      A Californian annual of remarkable and unusual beauty. Whorls of bi-tone, purple and white, lupin-like flowers are tiered on slender stems, narrowing towards the top, pagoda style. They are borne in great abundance on delicate plants with small triangular leaves.

      One of the few winter annuals that prefers a lightly shaded position, where they will flower longest, though they grow happily in full sun as well.

      Scratch into bare, well drained soil in autumn or early winter where they should self sow the following year.

      Excellent in a pot, especially when combined with other Californian annuals.

      Each pack contains, at the bare minimum, 50+ seeds.

  • Epilobium
    • canum subsp. canum   CAG02255

      (syn. Zauschneria californica)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A soft, grey, sub-shrub from the South West United States, where, as here, it is exceptional for flowering during the heat and drought of summer and autumn. When tubular, scarlet flowers adorn the plant profusely and are much loved by hummingbirds, or honey-eaters in our case.

      Good drainage is preferred, though heavy soils may be tolerated briefly. An occasional drink over summer will encourage flowering but is not necessary, too much and you will permanently prevent flowering and life. Probably a strictly west cost plant, it may be worth trying in the eastern states with impeccable drainage, full exposure and no irrigation, though I suspect success would be only temporary.

      Cut back to ground level during winter when new growth is seen at the base otherwise it tends to become untidy by flowering time.

      Given bare soil seedlings can appear and transplant readily. Seedlings may differ from their parents with leaves that can be silver to sage green and with flowers varying in their depth of colour. These variations can be seen in the nursery and all are lovely, in time separate clones may be selected based on arbitrary and distinct qualities.

  • Eriogonum
    • arborescens   CAG02925

      (Santa Cruz Island buckwheat)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A dome of fine silvery grey rosettes bearing flattish heads of palest pink flowers that darken to burnt sienna and last until stripped by winter rain. From the Channel Islands off California and revelling in coastal conditions and hot dry summers.

      Offers great potential for avant-garde designs with earth toned pottery or paving, or brightly coloured glass forms and background walls for more modernity.

      For any well drained soil though the leaner the better. Tolerant of some irrigation but less so with increasing temps.

      Questionable in eastern states and definitely not for the tropics.

  • Eschscholzia
  • Fallugia

    Rosaceae

    • paradoxa   CAG02239

      (Apache plume)
      Fallugia paradoxa
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      This intriguing member of the Rose family bears pure white five petalled rose flowers on very slender, twiggy, silvery-white branches, sparsely adorned with small, evergreen, clasping, leathery, filigree leaves and followed by long lasting, feathery, silvery pink plumes.

      Quite quickly forming an airy shrub at it's very best backlit by late afternoon sun when the feathery seed heads take on an ethereal glow.

      Found in desert regions of the south west United States and northern Mexico it should prove to be extremely heat, drought and cold tolerant as well as enjoy being baked by hot walls, paving, car parks and road edges. Unlikely to perform well on the east coast though it may prove more successful inland.

      All but poorly drained soils should be ideal.

      Evergreen in Perth, it could be deciduous with cold enough weather that few places in Australia are likely to provide.

  • Gilia
Page
12>
of 2