California Garden, Vol. 84, No.6, November-December 1994

32 Pages·1994·3.6 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

California.
GARDEN
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 Volume 85 No.6 $1.50
HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR
Nov. 1 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION BasketClass
Casadel Prado, BalboaPark. Remedial basketryclass. 9:30am-2:30pmReservations232-5762. $5.
Nov.3-6 THEHUNTINGTON Fall PlantSale&Lectures
1151 Oxford Rd., SanMarino. Thurs. throughSun. 1-4:30pm 818/405-2100. Donation$7.50.
Nov. 5 RANCHO SANTA ANABOTANIC GARDEN AT CLAREMONT Annual PlantSale
1500No. CollegeAve., Claremont. Sat. 9am-1pm Call 909/625-8767.
Nov. 5 CALIFORNIA MACADAMIA SOCIETY Group Seminar "Kingofthe NutWorld"
Wilderness Gardens Preserve. Sat. 8:30am Call 728-8081. Lunch included. $12 or$15 atevent.
Nov. 5-6 LAKEHODGES NATIVEPLANT CLUB, INC. 11th Annual PlantSale
Vons' Market, Bernardo CenterDr., Rancho Bernardo. Sat. & Sun. 9am-4pm. Call 741-0829.
Nov. 5-6 SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN FOUNDATION, INC. Chrysanthemum Show&Sale
26300CrenshawBlvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula. Sat. &Sun. 9am-4pm. Call 310/544-1948. $5.
Nov. 8 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION VictorianTreeOrnaments Class
Casadel Prado, BalboaPark. Tues. 9:30am-2:30pm. All materials furnished. 298-5182. $18.
Nov. 12- SCRIPPS CLINIC/AMERICAN SOCIETY OFINTERIOR DESIGNERS HolidayVignettes
Dec. 4 ThePaladion, 777 FrontSt. 10am-6pm Call 554-9374. Groups $8. Individuals$10.
Nov. 15- *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION FlowerArranging, SeriesII
22 &29 CasadelPrado,BalboaPark.Tuesdays,9:30am-4:30pm. Nomaterialsfurnished.298-5182.$35/$40.
Nov. 19 QUAILBOTANICAL GARDENS Lecture&BookSigning: Torrey Pines
*230Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. Sat. 11am. Author, Bill Evarts. 436-3036. $2.
Nov.20 SUMI-EPAINTING ANDIKEBANA 19th Annual Show
Casadel Prado, MajorcaRoom, BalboaPark. Sun. 11am-4pm. Free.
Dec. 2 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION "Seasons Greetings" PreviewTea
Casadel Prado, BalboaPark. Preview&Teaformembers and friends. Fri. 3-5pm. 232-5762.
Dec. 2-3 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION "SeasonsGreetings"
Casadel Prado, Rm 101, BalboaPark. Fri. 5-9pm; Sat. 11am-9pm. Call 232-5762. Free.
Dec. 5 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION BusTour
BanningMuseum and Sherman Gardens. Reservations232-5762. Member $30; Nonmember $33.
Dec. 6 LAJOLLA GARDEN CLUB Annual HolidayTeaand Bazaar
LaJollaWomen's Club, 715 SilveradoSt. Tues. 12:30to 3:30pm. Call 456-0992. Donation$7.50.
Dec. 9 QUAILBOTANICAL GARDENS CelebratingtheHolidays
230Quail GardensDr., Encinitas. Fri. 5-9pm. Carolers &Lighted Gardens. 436-3036. $2.
Jan. 7 THEHUNTINGTON RosePruningDemonstration
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Sat. 11am-1pm. 818/405-2141. Donation$7.50.
Every PALOMAR DISTRICT C.G.C.I. Floral DesignForum
MonthOct. SanDiegoMiramar N.A.S., Officers ClubBallroom. FirstMonday each month. 1-3pm
toMay95' Reservationscall V. West749-1920. Costfortheseriesthrough May 1995 is$35.
Every LOS ANGELES STATE & COUNTY ARBORETUM Free GuidedTours
Wednesday 301 N. BaldwinAve., Arcadia. GuidedWalkingToursofGardens. 11am Call 818/821-3250.
Every OFFSHOOT TOURS One-HourPlantWalks inBalboaPark
Saturday to Meet 10am. BotanicalLathHouse. Canceled forrainorlessthan4attendees. 1stSat. HistoryWalk;
Nov. 20 2nd Sat. PalmWalk; 3rd Sat. TreeWalk; 4thSat. DesertWalk; 5th Sat. Tourdel Dia. Free.
Weekends SANDIEGO NATURALHISTORY MUSEUM Canyoneers OutdoorProgram
1994 Freeguided naturewalks. Information&brochurecall 232-3821 Ext. 203.
Weekly SANTABARBARA BOTANIC GARDENS GardenEvents
Forlectures, toursand gardenschedulecall 805/682-4726.
Weekly SANDIEGO JAPANESE FRIENDSHIPGARDEN DocentTours
BalboaParkatOrganPavilion.Tues.,Fri.throughSun. 10am-4pm. 3rd.Tues.;free. Gatedonation.
Weekly QUAILBOTANICAL GARDENS Fall Classes andEvents
230Quail GardensDr., Encinitas. Call forschedule619/436-3036.
DeadlineforsubmissiontoHORTICULTURAL CALENDAR forJan./Feb. issueis Nov. 15.
SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATIONisnotresponsibleforchangesininformationwhichhasbeensubmitted bytheorganizations.
162 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
California s,nce i9°* SanDiegoFloralAssociation
GARDEN CasadelPrado,BalboaPark
SanDiegoCA 92101-1619
MondaythroughFriday
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSNO.ISSN0008-1116 10a.m.t6o191/223a2n-d57162to3p.m.
VOLUME 85 NUMBER 6
Publishedby
SanDiegoFloralAssociation
for84Years NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994
PUBLICATIONSTAFF FEATURES
EDITOR
JacquelineColeman 165 TheOleander B. S. Jones
166 TheVersatileBamboo T. Wilders
CALENDAREDITOR
167 Bulbs inPots B. S. Jones
JeanE.Johns 168 TheBeautyofBloodLilies C. Zinsky
NOWISTHETIMEEDITOR 169 Polly'sCoronado Garden C. N. Trine
StaffEdited 170 How MuchtoWater M. Brigadier
171 Copingwith OurIrrigationWater B. Newton
AFFILIATELISTINGEDITOR 172 DecoratingtheOldLighthouse B. S. Jones
LynnBeyerle 173 BalboaParkBotanical Building K. Puplava
BOOK&VIDEOREVIEWEDITOR 174 Daylilies R. Horwitz
RosaleenCox 174 Gifts Staff
175 WinteringFerns inSanDiego B. Halley
TOURSEDITOR 182 PlantingAnts R. D. Jones
HelenGagliardi
DEPARTMENTS
ADVERTISING
JacquelineColeman 162 HorticulturalCalendar J. E. Johns
164 Gleanings Staff
RENEWALS 176 NowIstheTime Affiliates
JoanRoman 180 BookReviews StaffEdited
MAILING 183 BusTours H. Gagliardi
LynnBeyerle 183 Classes M. Walsh
184 Affiliates L. Beyerle
EDITORIALADVISORYBOARD 186 Index 1994 J. Coleman
RobertHorwitz
BarbaraS.Jones
BettyNewton Cover drawing of oleander by Jeanie Foord (1906), reprinted from
DecorativePlantsandFlowerStudies, DoverPublications.
Manuscriptsareinvited. Deadlinesarethe20thofJanuary,
March, May, July, September, and November. California
Gardenreservestherighttoeditanyandallsubmittedmaterial. SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGardenmagazine
Awlelcmaannunsoctraisptssumaendreislplounsstirbaitilointsywfiolrltbheeihrasnadfleetdy.caSruebfmulilsys,iobunts canbepurchasedforadonationof$1.50atthelocationslisted.
mcetefohoxoxufermppsperntvacaeailtbtslemisetwbeebhsldddoeeoto.amuafprbnretEtlioonhcetdecabhuslleoecposdtarsenisecetaoteomfuidrssersetasnlhoiefnenfdduata/stCdeuooeandtrdldryhieoeoofdsrnuio,ssn.raenadHtnicnhooadoeprrmoGtdpsmauiotausrsgtdnpTaceeoahrznrtiiii.dtdnrniiedeNcecs.ienkiosssvmfsAteealrhlnrlieoodimmpolapoeyurlIptsiriBiheeefnoMfdmiryleoieootnoncurysftt CM7OQWS5IAUUAA3SICAN-LSi7HIT1IDFIL7EOIO7RBNNER,OUGNH4ATROI4INSA2ALFDENLNALERSIoRORYrCNtBR,SAhUAOELR2RLRN6SaG3EnAE-ANcTSR6URh1USYRoDO1M,S4ESC,Ea2INFnR59AtO05YaTFU0-,IO32FN8OeUD2I,0NN2mA8,4pED,Te-nA2rcI81i3iT25Ona272IilN-15tO5,,Aa7FNsv36oIe,62rCN.4t,CAI,2.SCNS,taCEao9s.nn4c2at,4ke0D7trd42iope-34erln86ig2-DPso03rre07iaCS3,vdtAe63o.,,,,012SS9R3aa2mNn0n1.or1QDD3tu1iiha0eei5ggB,looaGBlCCadaAlwrAbidonea99nA22Pv1D1aer01r.i3k0,v,eA,SracEnnacdDiiniaietCgaoAsCCA9A10990221600213
similarproductsthatarenotmentioned.
FLOWERSHOWS: ShowchairmancontactCaliforniaGarden,232-5762ifyouwantthemagazinesoldatyourshow.
SendallediCtoarilalifmaoterrinailaandGcaharndgeeonfaddressto: yCeAarLsI,FOfoRrNeiIgAnGdeAlRivDerEyNa(dIdSS$N6.000008p-e1r11y6e)aris,pubbyliSshaendBDii-eMgoontFhlloyraflorAdsosnoactiiaotinosno,f$C7as.0a0pdeelryPeraardoor,$B1a3l.b0o0afoPratrwko,
SanDiegoFloralAssociation SanDiegoCA 92101-1619. *SanDiegoFloralAssociation,1992. Allrightsreserved.SecondClassPostagepaid
CasadelPrado,Room105,BalboaPark atSanDiegoCA. POSTMASTER: SendaddresschangestoCALIFORNIAGARDEN,CasadelPrado,BalboaPark,
SanDiegoCA 92101-1619 SanDiegoCA 92101-1619.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 163
Gleanings
. . .
BThOeTABoNtIanCiAcaLlBBuUiIlLdiDnIg,NGmoTrOe RcEomOmPoEnNly. k.n.own as the WWeHOhLavEeSaALreEqu(e?s)tSfEroEmDaREmaQilU-EorSdTer.s.ee.ds and tropical
BalboaParklathhouse, isscheduledtoreopenonthe 19th nurseries person in northern France. He/She asks
ofNovember. The full landscaping probably will not be companies to send their listoftropical plants and seeds,
completed, butitwillbeopentothepublicforviewing. prices, shipping and handling charges, and minimum
quantitiestoFrance.
BALBOAPARKLILYPOND . . . (tel. [phone], FAX: [phone]) orwriteto:
InJulyabiofiltersystemwas installedintheBalboaPark J. Pavlenko
lily pond in front of the Botanical Building. It is now Jacaranda "Graines&Sentences"
called the "Koi and Lily Pond." During the night when 19Rue Novelle-France
there is no sunlightthere is no plant photosynthesis, so 02000Laon, France
thatprocess isreversed andplantsreleasecarbondioxide
instead of oxygen. During the night all aquatic plants, FREEEVENTLISTINGS . . .
including algae, consume oxygen. This can be life Twonewerquarterlymagazineswillprintafreelistingof
threateningto fishpopulations. Thissystemwas installed yourevent, spacepermitting.
to help remove organic compounds and in so doinghelp Four monthsbeforeeventsend nameofevent, dates,
to replenish plant oxygen. It performs two functions (1) sponsor, place, and telephonenumberto:
convertstoxicwastesubstancesintonontoxicnutrientsand CountryLiving Gardener, "Forget-Me-Not,"
(2) mechanicallyfiltersoutlargewaste. In other words, 224West57th Street, New York, NY 10019.
itstrips wastefrom dirty water and cycles cleaner water Sevenmonthsbeforeeventsend sameinformationto:
back into the system. If you stand on the mid-walkway "Gardener's Datebook," Country GardensMagazine,
you can now see the 8 foot wide gravel bed extending 1716LocustStreet, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023.
from edge-to-edge under the surface. When water is
drawn down through the gravel bed it causes bacteria to VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR . . .
growandchemicallybreakdowntheorganiccompounds. "Crosier" (orcrozier), initsbotanicaluse, isanewword
Thewater is moretransparent, you can seethe fish, and tothis editor. It's defined as any botanical structurewith
theducks love it. Someofthewaterplants are no longer acurled or circinatetip, as theyoungfrond ofafern.
inplace, butitisbeautifulandthebalustradesarealways Many readers may not have noticed, but since there
linedwithpeople, oldand young, enjoyingthepool. are conflicting opinions on correct usage, we have used
various forms when writing plurals of scientific names.
DATEPALMS FROM SEEDS . . . SincethepluralsofLatinandGreekmightbeunknownto
Togrowadatepalmfromaseedfillapotwithadrainage editors or, if used, unrecognizable to most readers, we
hole with rich potting mix, and push the seed vertically havenowoptedtousethesingularalways. Itmaytakeus
down intothesoil about 1V£ inches. Keep the seed moist awhileto become coordinated inthisusage.
and warm by wateringwith warm water. In about4to 6
weeksthefirstleavesshouldbegintoappear. Itisunlikely
thedatepalm will everproducefruit. (Theseed is in the
middleofthedate. This is date season so fresh ones are
availableatyourlocal market.)
COLBERTADDRESS
. . .
At printing time for the September/October issue, we
didn'thavecurrentinformationaboutTeddyColbert,who
designsand sellsherpatentedframes, instructionsandall
supplies for succulent wreaths. She believes that her
methods result in the longest-lastingwreaths. She can be
reached at 1-800-TEDDY81, or write Teddy Colbert's
Garden, P. O. Box9, Somis CA 93066.
BotanicalBuildingphotobyBettyNewton
164 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
THE OLEANDER
by BARBARA S. JONES
ONE OF THE MOST widely used landscape plants in billowy, many branched, woody-stemed shrub that can
SouthernCaliforniaistheoleander.Itsabilitytowithstand reach 20feet and canbetrimmedto atreeshape. Three
drought, vehicle emissions, spasmodic care, and climate branchescomefrom eachjoint. Thereisanewminiature
andsoilthatisoftenmarginalhasmadeitapopularplant formthathassmallerflowers andgrowsto24 inches.
forhighwayand commercial plantings. And it'spretty. Theplantprefersafertilesoilbutalmostanysoilwill
In recent years there have been warnings that one doifitiswelldrained. Itprefersfullsun. Plantingcanbe
should not use it because it is an extremely poisonous done here year-round from containers. In spring and
plant. Rubbish—most people have summer itcanbepropagatedfrom
to eatittogetpoisoned. Thereare terminal cuttings of firm shoots.
individuals that are allergic to the Thecuttings,afterbeingallowedto
pollen, sap, etc. (Someone is dryabit, canbestartedinsandor
allergicto anyplantyou canthink sandy soil and can evenbestarted
of.) I grew up around them and inwater.Fertilizingshouldbedone
throughout my luau high school withahighphosphorusfood(5-23-
and college years we all made and 5) or any all purpose mix. (I use
wore leis usingoleander blossoms steermanureeveryyearorso.)
and the girls wore them in their Oleanderscanbeprunedatany
hair all summer. No one I ever time but late winter is
knew ate them or used oleander recommended. Itcanbedrastically
sticks for toasting food over an cut(to6inches)tocontrolsizeand
open fire and no one ever had a therootscanbetrimmed. Itisbest
problem with their skin, eyes, or to wear gloves when pruning
breathing. There is an old rule-of- becausethemilkyjuicecanirritate
thumb: Never eat anything with a theskin.
milkysap. Oleanders can withstand short
Thecommonoleander,Nerium bouts offrost but prefer a climate
oleander, is native to the damp thatdoes notgobelow40°F. New
valleys and seasonally dry plants should bewatered regularly
watercourses with gravely soil of the Mediterranean —but established plants can withstand very infrequent
region. It has been a popular plant there since before wateringeveninsummer. Itisfairlydiseaseresistant,but
history. It is mentioned in the earliest Greek writing. scale, mealybugs, and aphids can be problems. It is a
NeriumistheearlyGreeknameofthisplant. (Thepeople long-lived plant. Many planted during the beautification
have all survived there, too.) Just as in Southern projects in 1912 to 1914 are still surviving as beautiful
California, today the roads, streets, and highways ofthe small trees alongOcean Beach streets.
Mediterranean region are made beautiful by being lined This easy to grow plant makes excellentbackground
witholeanders. plantings, windbreaks, screens, and informal hedges. It
There are over four hundred cultivars of oleanders can be grown in largetubs. One ofthe most interesting
recorded. Theleaves, whichareadarkgreenwithapaler plantings I saw was in the Alhambra gardens in Spain.
green underside, are4-12 inches long, lance shaped, and The plants were trained over iron supports to form a
growinwhorls.Theflowersarefunnelshapedopeningto living, covered walkway aboutablocklong. It was very
fivepetals. Theyaresingle, semi-double, anddoubleand cool intheshadeasI walkedfromonepartofthegarden
areborne in clusters attheend ofnew growthbranches. to another.
The colors are white, cream, pink, lilac, red, carmine, Horticulturebookssay itscommon nameisrosebay,
purple, yellow, salmon, apricot, flesh, copper, and butinSanDiego ithas always been called oleander.
orange. Neriumoleander 'varigatum'has leaves edged in
cream, white, or yellow and the flowers are double and Thesketch isbyJeanieFoord.
rose-pink. N. endicum and N. odormhave sweetscented
flowers. They are less robust plants and the leaves are BARBARAJONEShasgardenedinSanDiegomostofherlifeandthisinterest
slender and more widely spaced. This is an attractive, ledhertomajorinbotanyincollege.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 165
THE VERSATILE BAMBOO
by TINEKEWILDERS
A VERY SPECIAL AND P. aurea, which keeps a moderate
HISTORIC event is taking place height of fifteen to twenty feet.
nextyearinUbud,Bali,Indonesia, There are even low-growing
featuring the most viable bamboos (up to three feet in
alternative to the world's rapid height) that can function as a
deforestationandtimbershortages: groundcover, suchasPleioblastus
the use of bamboo. For the first distichus, P. pygmaeus, and
tiindmuestervye,r, reenpvriersoennmteanttiavleisstfsr,omatnhde PC.LvUiMriPdiIstNrGiatuBsA. MBOO—this has
politicians,whohavebeenlooking very short, closely spaced
seriously into bamboo as a rhizomes that form atight clump,
workable solution, will be Lu\ from which the plant's branches
cevoenngtr.egating at this important A ^ \\lr aarnedBleaamvbesuseamermuglet.ipElxeax,mpmluelstihpelree-
At the Fourth World Bamboo mk branched and slow-spreading,
CongressandFestivalthelatestscientificresearchintothe which will grow into an ideal privacy hedge, attaining
cultivation, treatment, and uses of bamboo will be about thirty feet. The lacy Mexican weeping bamboo,
discussed. The earlyJune 1995 Congress is also opento Otateaacuminata ssp aztecorum, ismy favorite, with its
thepublic. elegantweepingform (and it ishardyto 22°F). It isalso
Bamboo is an extremely versatileplantand has been drought-tolerant.
used as art as well as in architecture, in musical Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas has an
instruments, incooking, and infurniture. Therearemore outstanding bamboo collection with well over seventy
thanonethousandknownspecies inaboutseventygenera differentspecies, making itoneofthe largestcollections
of bamboo, most of them native to the tropical and in the United States. The western slopeofthe garden is
subtropical regions ofSoutheastAsia, China, and Japan. planted with a multitude of giant clumping bamboos
Thereareevenspecies inAfrica, inMadagascar, and (Bambusa beecheyana and B. textilis) as well as some
in Australia, found from sea level to over ten thousand running bamboos of the genus Phyllostachys. Several
feet, andfrom near-deserttoregionsofheavyrainfall. In species native to Mexico and Puerto Rico are planted in
theWestern Hemisphere, they are native from Missouri and aroundthetropical canyon area.
and Maryland southward throughoutCentral America to Quail Gardens also has several quarantine-holding
southernArgentinaand Chile. greenhouseswherebamboosfromotherpartsoftheworld
Bamboos are long-lived, woody evergreen plants in areheldandgrownforoneyearafteracquisitiontoensure
the grass family (Gramineae or Poaceae), in the tribe theyarefreeofforeignpestsanddiseases. Afterthatthey
Bambuseae, ranginginheightfrom as low asonefootto are released into the permanent collection. Several times
as tall as one hundred feet or more. For centuries the a year Quail has a fund-raising plant sale and many
various species ofbamboo haveprovided theworld with interesting bamboos are for sale. For more information,
the raw material for such things as: scaffolding, fences, call thegardens at [phone].
plant stakes, utensils, food, paper, tool handles, fishing
andskipoles, shademats, andclothing. Gardenersliketo (Editor'snote:Thereismuchconfusionaboutbamboo
growbambooasanornamentalplantandthereareseveral nomenclature. A combination of listings from Hortus
graceful varietiesthatareperfectforthis. They areeven Third (1976) and The New Royal Horticultural Society
usedforbonsaieffect. DictionaryofGardening (1992)hasbeenused.)
Bamboos fall intooneoftwo categories accordingto
theirrootstructure: TINEKE WILDERS is a freelance garden writer/broadcaster, living and
RUNNINGBAMBOO—thishasahorizontalunderground g"aHrodmeen/inGgaridnetnh"esSeacntioDnieogfoThareeaS.anShDeiewgroiteUsniaonr-eTgruilbaurnec.olumnintheSunday
root structure (rhizomes) and has the potential to grow
into a thicket or a little forest. Examples here are the Bali,Mfrso.mWMiladyer2s1wtiollJuenseco7r,ta19t9w5o,wwehieckhtwoiulrlocfoiSnicnigdaepowriet,hJtahveaW,oSrulmdatBraa,mbaonod
timber bamboo, Phyllostachys bambusoides, which can CongressandFestival.Foradditionalinformationorabrochure,call
reachuptoseventyfeetinheight;andthegoldenbamboo [phone]or1-800-869-0674.
166 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
BULBS IN POTS
by BARBARA S. JONES
TULIPS Fosterians, and Greigii-type. Antique bulbs, including
tulips, that will do well in San Diego are: Narcissus
EVEN IN THE MILD coastal climates of San Diego tazetta 'Avalanche', N. poeticusrecurvus, N. obvallaris,
County tulips can be successfully grown both in the N.jonquillaspecies,N.xgracilis, Tulipagreigii'Plaisir',
garden and in containers. Container growing is probably T. turkestanica, T. praestans 'Fusilier', T. tarda, Iris
theeasiestifthetulipsaretreatedasannualsandgivenan reticulata,n
artificial winter.
Tulipbulbsbecomeavailableinthelocalnurseriesby
mid-September. Store them in a cool place until mid-
October and then place them in a mesh bag in the
vegetablebinoftherefrigerator until late November. (A
temperatureof45-50degreesisrecommended.) Besure
that there is no fruit in the refrigerator, because
ethylene gas given off by ripening fruit will kill the
flowerinsidethebulb. Sixtoeightweeksofrefrigeration
is recommended. Do not let thebulbs warm. Plantthem
directly after taking out of the refrigerator. If planted
about Thanksgiving, the bulbs should bloom in mid-
February. Donotplanonsavingthebulbs—tossthemout
aftertheybloom.
Bulbs do the best if planted in large containers (at
least 16incheshigh). Placethebulbs,almosttouching,on
8to 10inchesofpottingsoil. Coverwith4inchesofsoil.
Thelevelofthesoilshouldbe2to3 inchesbelowtherim
ofthe container. (This will help to support the growing
leaves.) A 1 inch thick layerofmulch will help to retain
moistureand keepthebulbscool.
Manygardeners feel thatthemostreliabletulipsare:
Maytime, Maureen, Asta Nielsen, Blue Jay, Cocktail,
ElizabethArden,Halcro,Menton,Redwood,Renownand
West Point. As a rule of thumb, late blooming, single
tulipsdo best inwarm climates.
ANTIQUE BULBS
TULIPSWEREINTRODUCEDTOtheNetherlandsfrom
Turkey over four hundred years ago. Many tulips and
otherbulbshavebeengrownunchanged in American and
Europeangardensforseveralcenturies. Thesearearesult
ofconservation rather than restoration. The Keizerkroon
Tulip, a popular antique bulb, has been cultivated by
Dutch growers since 1750. Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra
Maxima' has beengrownunchanged since 1574.
If one would like to collect bulbs they should know
thedifferencebetween"botanicalspecies"whichresemble
the flower as it grows naturally in the wild, and
"botanical" bulbs which are the handiwork of early
hybridizers. Antique tulips include Kaufmanniana, Tulipphotos courtesyofCalif. Assoc, ofNurserymen.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 167
THE BEAUTY OF BLOOD LILIES
by CATHERINE L. ZINSKY
FEW WILL ARGUE THAT bulbs are easy to grow, and have a subtle pattern due to veining. Offsets can be
which is why it's curious so few gardeners cultivate takeninthespringto propagate. H. katharinaeblooms in
Haemanthus. Known as blood lilies becauseofred spots latespringand early summer.
on the bulbs themselves, Haemanthus is well worth the The umbel ofH. multiflorus much resembles thatof
littleeffortittakestofosterthebulbsalong. Ofthemore H. katharinae with minor differences; the petioles are
thanfivedozen species inthis Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis shorter, and the individual flowers on the umbel are
family), I can vouch for at least three as being distinctly smaller, as is the umbel itself (3-6" across). It is oftHen
noteworthy and readily available: H. albiflos, H. called the salmon blood lily. Its color is softer than
katharinae, andH. multiflorus. katharinae.
Haemanthusis atruebulb, nota corm ortuber. It is Another difference is that H. multiflorus is not
native to Africa, and as such adapts well to our own evergreen. Once dormant, the bulb should be kept dry.
temperate climate. Best of all, it has unusual yet This lovely blood lily blooms in late summer (mine
spectacular flower heads that bloomed foratleasttwo weeks
are long-lasting, distinguished, in August), and can also be
and showy. propagated by removing
Haemanthus albiflos is offsets. (Offsets are the small
perhaps theeasiestofthethree bulbs that are produced on the
togrow.Itisevergreen, having sidesofthematurebulbs.)
wide, thick,bluish-greenstrap- All Haemanthus can be
like leaves that are ciliate, grownoutdoorsinZones9 and
meaning they are covered with 10. They are, however, frost
tinyhairs.Thisgivestheleaves sensitive, so protection may be
afuzzyappearance. necessary in someareas.
Aptly and commonly Whenplanting, setthebulb
referred to as "white so its tip is just above the
paintbrush," the flower of H. surface. Pot in spring, using a
albiflosconsistsofwhitebracts container about twice the size
enclosingahostofstamensthat of the bulb. All blood lilies
compositely resemble an artist's paintbrush. These prefer filtered light, and if given at least four hours of
paintbrushes are held 8-10" above the strap-like leaves, optimum light a day, will perform agreeably as house
which remain fairly low to the ground. Mine bloom in plants. A light application of an all-purpose fertilizer
November and December, giving added value to the duringthegrowingseason will bewell received.
cultivationoftheattractivebulb. Undernocircumstancesallowyourbloodlilytositin
H. albiflosrespondswellincontainers,enjoyingbeing water. As with mostbulbs, Haemanthus bulbs will turn
crowded. It does best in filtered light, takes moderate squishyand rotifleftstanding in water. Snailsand slugs
watering, and isduplicatedbydivision. lovetheseplants, so watch carefullyforthem.
Haemanthuskatharinaeisperhaps themostlovelyof Most reputable nurseries carry one or more
the three. The flower of this blood lily can be quite Haemanthus species in their bulb displays. If you're
large—upto9" indiameter.Theflowerheadisanumbel, unwillingto risk losingoutonthis distinctivegenus, put
which isaball-likeclusterofflowersatthetopofastem. inarequestatyourfavoritenursery. Goodluckandhappy
Thepedicel (flower stem) ofeach floweroriginatesfrom gardening!a
thesamepointonthemainstem, which inH. katharinae (Note: In the May/June issue I stated thatthe "tower of
canbeastall as2'. jewels" plants at the Huntington Botanical Gardens were
The individual flowers that make up the umbel are small (2V2 feet) as compared to mine. Kathy Musial,
small, red or salmon-red, and have protruding, vivid Curator ofLivingCollections at theHuntington, politely
yellow stamens. The overall effect is breath-taking, setmetorights. Theydo, indeed, haveEchium wildpretii
especiallywhen grouped inapot. reaching6-7+ feet.)
The leaves ofH. katharinae are also evergreen, but CATHERINEL.ZINSKYisagardenwriterfornationalmagazines.
neitherfuzzy nor thick. They are also ofa deeper green PhotoofHaemanthusalbiflosbytheauthor.
168 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
POLLY'S CORONADO GARDEN
CLAIRE NORMANTRINE
THECASUALPASSERBYCANNOThelpbutnoticethe canbefoundheruniquetouches: an oldbrass headboard
faint perfume scenting the air while walking past this used forsweetpeastotrail upon, awirearchway draped
whitehouseonthecorner.Toonewholovesgardens,the in fragrant deep pink roses that would be perfectly at
noseleadsitsownerthroughthelathedarchwaythatopens home in southern England, and scattered throughoutthe
up into the fragrant and cozy garden set in the dappled gardencanbefound emptybirdcages alongsidefullbird
Coronado sunshine. feeders for the winged visitors who no doubt enjoy this
Such is the case with the garden in Coronado garden aswell.
belongingto PollyJones and her husband. Situated near The garden closestto the house, and entered viathe
Spreckles Park, on Sixth Avenue, Polly has created a covered archway from the street, features roses as the
delightfulparadisethatIhavenamed California Cottage. foundation plantings with two-storytall ficus trees lining
Looking like a cross between an English cottage garden thewood fenceshared withtheneighbors. Below, filling
and a Mediterranean villa garden, Polly Jones has in, one finds azaleas, camellias, sword ferns, and
designed a soothing impatiens again layered
place in which to to the lawn's edge.
repose. After seeing the Several large gardenias
work-in-progress providevisual weightas
photos, its hard to well as an unending
believe this charming source for corsages in
hideaway has been the spring. "I think
transformedfromastark there must have been
pool area shaded by seventy blooms on each
towering and imposing of my gardenia plants
hedges into a this year," Polly
comfortable place for exclaims. "They were
gathering friends and just covered in white
family in its various blossoms! Andthescent
gardenrooms. wasunbelievable,people
Afterpurchasingthe walkingbycouldn'thelp
1912-built house four but notice." Along the
yearsago, Pollyandher sidewalk, outside the
husband began a major fence, thisplantmixture
renovationofthehouseas well astheyard. "Welived in can be found again on the opposite side of the fence.
halfoftheoriginal barn; the space was aboutten feetby Blooming yellow enchantment lilies beside fragrant
ten feet," recounts Polly. "Though the house was a big gardenias, mixed inwithnearlytwentyotherplantsmake
undertaking,Iwasanxioustostartontheyard. Ibeganon thesideyard ariotofcolor and avisual feast.
the piece farthest from the house and worked my way Walking through the gardens one can always find
closer as the house became more finished." Today, the something missed earlier. Salvias, rosemary, scented
renovated house and gardens look as if they have been geraniums, basils, ferns, impatiens, and assorted annuals
togetherfor many years. pokeoutfrom underneath the larger plants. When asked
Working with an existing apricot tree, a large where her inspiration for the garden came from, Polly
jacaranda, and an old established pine tree, Polly used doesn'tadmitany. "Thisgardenjustsortofevolved,"she
them asthebackboneofthisbackgarden. Shethenfilled claims. Itmay seem amazing tothosemeticulousplanner
in with new plantmaterial, layering, as shecalls it. This types who, with exacting patience, leave nothing to
wasaccomplishedbyplacingdescendingsizedplantsfrom chance. Polly's garden appears to have been created to
thefencelineuntilreachingthelawnatthecenter. Today look as ifitsprouted on itsown. Thiswritercannothelp
a visitor would assume this garden finished but Polly butbereminded oftheJapanesemannerinwhichgardens
continues to add plants, annuals and new finds, to are created: though they look as ifnature did the work,
whateverspacethereseems tobe. "I liketothinkofitas their creators actually studied it carefully in order to get
controlled chaos," laughs Polly. Throughout the garden continuedonpage 189
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 169
HOW MUCH TO WATER?
by MORT BRIGADIER
HOW MUCHWATERINDOORplantsneeddependson There is a direct relationship between light and the
howmuchemptyspacethereisinthesoilandonhowbig thickness ofleaves. Plants with thick leaves adjust more
or small the spaces are. Visualize a cubic foot of soil readilyto lowlight, uselesswater, and growataslower
consistingofsmall particlesofdifferentshapes and sizes, paceusing(and creating) less energy.
some microscopic, some visible to the naked eye, some Plantswiththickleavesmaynotflowerunderreduced
organic,othersnot. Imaginethateachofthesemillionsof light but can be kept green and healthy. Conversely,
particlesisseparatedandsurroundedbyemptyspace. The plants with thin leaves need to be placed where they get
"emptyspace" givesthesoil itsporosity, allowingexcess more light. Plants with thin leaves use more water, need
waterto draindown and away. morelight,growatafasterpaceandstandabetterchance
The process is easy to follow. When water offloweringunder low lightconditions.
accumulates, it fills the empty spaces and the planting You can rarely kill a plant by underwatering in low
mediumachieves"fieldcapacity."Watereventuallydrains lightconditions.Theplantwill showitsneedforwaterin
downward undertheforces ofgravity, leavingthelarger plentyoftimetobesaved.ThereisnoCPR,however,for
pores filled with air and the smaller pores filled with anoverwatered plant.
water. When watering, apply the green thumb rule; let the
Giving a plant more water than it can hold is never pot dry out between waterings. But this is common
better. It drives out the air, depletes the oxygen, and knowledge; everyone knows to do this. NEXT TIME
plantscandrown intheirown medium. There is no CPR WEIGH THEPOT! Weigh at "field capacity" when itis
for a drowning plant, but a wilting plant can be filled with water; weigh it again when it is dry. The
resuscitated withagenerous, lifesavingdoseofwater. difference in weight is the amount of water in liquid
It's always safer to underwater than overwater. But ouncesthatyouwillneedtoreplaceateach watering. We
there is no need to guess at how much water. We can are indeed fortunate that a liquid ounce of water
measure, andstartahistory, oftheamountofwatereach approximates one ounce of weight! It tells us "how
plantneeds and when itneedstohave it. much?".
We know thatplants need water in directproportion Theplantwilltell us when andhow often itneedsto
to the amount of light they receive. As the quality and bewatered. Itwill "tellus"bydryingout. Somepotswill
quantityoflightdecreases, theprocess ofphotosynthesis dryoutinafew days, otherswill notdryoutuntilweeks
alsodecreases. Theplantslowsdown, manufacturingless havepassed. Thetimeittakesforthepottodryoutisthe
energy, usinglessfuel, needinglesswater. watercycleforthatparticular, individualplant.Plantswill
When a plant is brought indoors into medium light tell us whenthey need to bewatered bytippingthescale
(enough light to read a newspaper by) water may be at alower weight. (Oncethewater schedule isset, water
reducedbyasmuchas50%. Whenbroughtintolowlight one day earlier to eliminate any possibility of last day
(where only the headlines can be read) water may be stress.)
reduced by 75%. Most plants will adjust and tolerate Finally, plants need to beroutinely examined forthe
extremely low light conditions provided they are slightestchangeinappearance, forinsects,forearlysigns
"weaned" to accept less water. It's never agood ideato ofwaterstress(toolittleortoomuch). Havingestablished
soakthenewplantto "make itgrow." abaseline, as plantsgrow and seasonschange, asplants
Light is the quintessential ingredient in indoor usemoreorlesswater,thewaterschedulemayneedtobe
planting.Theadjustmentfromnurserylighttoindoorlight finetuned.
is made by reducing the amount of water the plant Howmuchwaterhouseplantsreallyneeddependson
receives,bychangingthewatercycle, andbyplacingthe theweightofthe "lostwater," andontheaccuracyofthe
plantwhereitgetsthebestlight. bathroomorkitchenscale,n
The"best" lightmay, ormay not,benearawindow.
Wmiayndomawgnliigfhyt aisndalbwuaryns.brItigrhatpeirdltyhanlosaertsifiicnitaelnsliitgyhtasandit CmaOnLagMemOeRnTtaBnRdIisGAaDUICECREisMaastreetrirGeadradernmeyr.paratrooper.HehasanMBAin
travelsacrossaroom, butitalsocanreflectoffwallsand PHOTO OPPOSITE, courtesy of Calif. Assoc, of
mirrorsandincrease. (Windowlightwilldifferinintensity Nurserymen, is ofAlocasia amazonica as a houseplant,
withtheangleand directionofthesun.) which wouldbeaspectacularholidaygift.
170 CALIFORNIA GARDEN