California Garden, Vol. 95, No. 1, January-February 2004

2004·3.6 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

ruia,
DEN
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2004 Volume 95 No. 1 $2.00
HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR
Jan.3Sat. Jan. 10Sat.
THEHUNTINGTONClass "RosePruningToolsand WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENMonthly
Techniques"9-11 a.m. Learnhowtherighttoolsand Class9:30-11:00a.m. 12122CuyamacaCollegeDr.
techniquescanmakeallthedifference. ClairMartin, West, ElCajon. 619/660-0614.Free.
theE.L. andRuthB. ShannoncuratoroftheRose Jan. 12Mon.
Gardenwillleadahands-onworkshopforadults. SANDIEGOHORTICULTURALSOCIETY
Participantswilleachtakehomeahandysharpening Monthlymeeting "OrganizingSpaceInTheGarden."
tool.Members$25, Non-members$35. Registration byGaryKoller, AssistantDirectorforHorticultureat
626/405-2128. 1150OxfordRd,SanMarino. theArnoldArboretumofHarvardUniversity.6:30
Jan.3Sat. p.m. attheSurfsideRacePlace, JimmyDuranteBlvd.,
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon DelMar. Free.
PruningPlumsandApricotsat9a.m. 3642Enterprise Jan. 13Tues.
St., SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OrRosePruning/Bare- THEHUNTINGTONFieldBotany: Insidethe
RootRosesat9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCourt, Greenhouses. 3-6p.m. Gobehindthescenesforarare
Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. lookattheplantcollectionshousedinthebotanical
Jan.3-4Sat.-Sun greenhousesinthisclassledbyJimFolsom, Director
SANDIEGOROSESOCIETYRosePruning oftheBotanicalGardens. Participantswillalsospend
Demonstration,InezGrantParkerMemorialRose timeinthelab, gainingskillsinobservationandplant
Garden, BalboaPark. 9:00a.m.-Noon,bringgloves identification.Members$25, Non-members $35.
andpruners. Plantsalebothdays. ContactSteven Register626/405-2128. 1150OxfordRd,SanMarino.
Berry, 619/291-5755.Free. Jan. 14Wed.
Jan. 4Sun. SANDIEGONATURALHISTORYMUSEUM
EASTCOUNTYROSESOCIETYAnnualPruning Lectureon"OrnamentalTreesofSanDiego."Noted
Demonstration. Noonto4:00p.m. Handsondemo horticulturistSteveBrigham, alongwithpassionate
withConsultingRosarians. Bringyourprunersand gardenerDonWalker, founderoftheSanDiego
glovesto3976AguaDulceBlvd., LaMesa. Contact HorticulturalSociety,willgiveaslidetalkaboutthe
RogerEnglish,619/[email protected]. beautifultreesthatweappreciateeveryday. Book
Free. signingtofollow. 6-9p.m. 619/232-3821.Free.
Jan.5Mon. Jan. 17,24,31Sat.
CGCIFLORALDESIGNFORUM2003-2004 THEHUNTINGTONWinterGardeningSerieswith
RobertGordon,AIFD,PFCI, SanLuisObispo, landscaperJennyReesofEarthlyDelights.Three
President,CaliforniaGardenClubs,Inc. Carlsbad sessionsonwintergardeningessentials. 10:00a.m.-
Women'sClub,3320MonroeSt.,Carlsbad. 12:30- noon. Members$60, Non-members $75. Register
3:00p.m. $8atthedoor. Info: 760/749-9608. 626/405-2128. 1150OxfordRd, SanMarino.
Jan.8Thurs. Jan. 17Sat.
THEHUNTINGTONGardenTalk&Sale "Simply •SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION
Roses."2:30p.m. KarenDardickwilldebuthernew LIBRARYwillbeopenfrom 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
book,SimplyRoses, withslidepresentationandbook Mon.-Fri.,aswellasthethirdSaturdays. Membersof
signing.Plantsalefollowsprogram. 626/405-2100. SDFAcancheckoutbooks. (Membership$10ayear,
1150OxfordRd,SanMarino. Generaladmission. includesmagazine.)BalboaPark, CasadelPrado,
Jan. 10Sat. Room105. 619/232-5762.
THEHUNTINGTONClass "RosePruningToolsand Jan. 17Sat.
Techniques"9-11 a.m. SeedetailsaboveonJan. 3 SANDIEGONATURALHISTORYMUSEUM
entry. Members$25,Non-members$35. Registration AdultClasson"TorreyPineNeedleBasketMaking."
626/405-2128. 1150OxfordRd, SanMarino. 9a.m.-l p.m. Members$25,nonmembers$33.
Jan.W10ASLaTt.ERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSonBare- Jan.R1e7giSsatte.ratwww.sdnhm.orgor619/232-3821ext. 203.
RootFruitTrees, SelectionandPlantingat9a.m. WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSonRose
3642EnterpriseSt.,SanDiego. 619/224-8271.Or Pruningat9a.m. 3642EnterpriseSt., SanDiego.
FruitTreePruningat9:30a.m. at 12755Danielson 619/224-8271.OrRose/BareRootPruningat
Court, Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. 9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCourt, Poway.
858/513-4900.Free.
(continuedonpage4)
JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
California s,nce i9°* MAIH650ElPrado#105
GARDEN SanDiegoCA92101-1622
seeusatCasadelPrado,
Room105BalboaPark
TLeIBlReApRhYoOnFeCO6N1G9R/ES2S3N2O-.5IS7S6N20009-1116 Mon10d:a0y0atmhrtoou3gh:0F0rpimday
APrrersaindgeenrtsJGouhinldNCohbmle.p6r1e9s/[email protected] WWW.S61D9F/2L3O2-R5A76L2.ORG
Publishedby
SanDiegoFloralAssociation VOLUME95 NUMBER
for92Years 1
PUBLICATIONSTAFF THEMAGAZINEFOR THEHANDS-ON GARDENER
EDITOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004
JacquelineColeman
FEATURES
[email protected]
ASSISTANTEDITOR 8 SanDiegoTopiaries R. Horwitz
CALELiNnDdaARBerEgDerITOR 9 PlansandPlantstoConsiderbeforetheNextFire . P. Pawlowski
LindaBerger 10 GrowingWildflowers NationalGardenBureau
[email protected] 2122 TTrreeeessffoorrHHeeaalltthhGGaarrddeenn,CPearrtemIony cBo.mmCiatreeey
JohnR.Allen 23 SavingWaterIsJustaPhoneCallAway L. Generoso
AFFnImoeLwmIibsAteTLhrEeystnhiLnimIpeB@[email protected] 222646 2RHie0s-0tV4oergPieecrteaRntonisioeanclrFoPulfantn—dtO—ocFftiotrbheeesrtYo2er6am,r220.000.33. PerennialPlantAsKso.ciDarSttuiarofynf
BOOK&VIDEOREVIEWEDITOR
DEPARTMENTS
RosaleenCox
[email protected] 27 HGolretainciunlgtsuralCalendar L.b.BeJrogneers
ADAVnnEeRttTeIRSeIidNG 16 NowIstheTime J. Allen
JacquelineColeman 25 SanDiegoFloralAssociationClasses M. Walsh
[email protected] 31 SessionsandHoytBooksOrderBlank Staff
RENEWALS 27 BookReviews R. Cox
JoanRoman 29 Affiliates L. Beyerle
MAILING
EDITORIALLynAnDBVeIyeSrOlReYBOARD CreOprVinEtRedfprhoomto"gSrealpfh-GoufidAeldbWizailakj—ulTirbereisssfionr(HseiallkthtrEeen)habnycemPeaunltPLroovjiecckt,"
JohnR.Allen brochure.
MortBrigadier
RobertHorwitz
BarbaraS.Jones Claimsandopinionsexpressedbyadvertisersdonotnecessarily
JohnNoble reflecttheviewsoftheeditorandpublisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.
PatPawlowski
Copies of California Garden can be ordered by mail for $2.00 per copy plus $1.00 postage.
Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawings,andideasfrom SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGardenmagazine
amateursorprofessionals.Deadlinesforanextissuearethe canbepurchasedforadonationof$2.00atthelocationslisted.
20thofJanuary,March,May,July,September,andNovember.
Wedonotpayforarticlesorartwork.Wecannotguaranteethe
safereturnofmaterial.CaliforniaGardenreservestherightto CALIFORNIAARBORETUMFOUNDATION,818/447-8207,301NorthBaldwinAve.,ArcadiaCA91006
editanyandallsubmittedmaterial.Submissionsmustbedouble MISSIONHILLSNURSERY,298-2808,1525FortStocktonDrive,SanDiegoCA92103
aWsupotarhcdoePrdesraafnneddc/todr5oo.1nn.oatDOcnSeoc.mepsAusltalreirolpydiinrsiekoflnfesrctoexmtphIreeBsvMsieeodwrsacroeofmtphtahotesiebeldoeift,tohriesn WSWAAANLLTTDEEIRREGAAONNFDDLEEORRRSSAEELNNANNSUUSRROSSCEEIRRAYYT,,IO25N21,43--284329270-105,,73616224,725C5aEsnDtaaenrdipeerllisPsoernaSdtCo.o,,urSRtam,n.PDo1iw0e5ag,yoBCCalAAbo9a9220P16a1r40k-,68S4a7nDiegoCA92101
oinfteCnadleidf,ornnioarGisarcdrietni.cisNmoiempnldioerdseomfesnitmiolfarnaprmoedducptrsodtuhacttsaries FLOWERSHOWS: ShowchairmancontactCaliforniaGarden,619/232-5762ifyouwant
notmentioned. themagazinesoldatyourshow.
Sendalleditorialmaterialandchangeofaddressto:
SanCDaileigfoorFnloiraalGAassrodceiantion yCeAarLsI,FfOoRreNiIgnAdGelAiRveDryENad(dI$S6S.N00000p8er-1y1ea1r6,)isbypuSbalinshDeideBgio-MFloonrtahllyAsfsoorcidaotniaotni,on1s6o5f0$E8l.0P0rpaedroye#a1r05o,r$S1a5n.D0i0efgoortCwAo
San1D6i5e0goElCPAra9d2o1#0110-51622 9P2O1S0T1-M1A6S22T.ER®:SaSnenDdieagdodrFelsosrcalhaAnsgseoscitaotiCoAn,LI1F99O2R.NIAlAlGrAigRhtDsErNes,er1v6ed5.0EPlerPirodaidcoal#s10P5o,stSaagneDpaiiedgoatCSAan92D1i0e1g-o16C2A2..
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004
HORTICULTURALCALENDAR, CONTINUEDFROM Feb. 7-8Sat.-Sun.
PAGE2 SANDIEGOCAMELLIASOCIETYAnnualShow
andSale. Entries: 8:00-10:00a.m. Visitors: Sat.
12:00-4:00p.m., Sun. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Balboa
Jan. 17-18Sat.-Sun. Park, CasadelPrado, Room101. Free.
SANDIEGOORCHIDSOCIETYWinterOrchid Feb. 9Mon.
Show. Sat. 12-4:00p.m., Sun. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. SANDIEGOHORTICULTURALSOCIETY.
BalboaPark, CasadelPrado, Room101.Free. MonthlymeetingwithMaryMcBride. "Irisinthe
Jan.24Sat. Landscape." 6:30p.m. attheSurfsideRacePlaceat
QUAILBOTANICALGARDENSTour "Fire-Safe DelMarFairgrounds.JimmyDuranteBlvd.,DelMar.
Landscaping." 10:30a.m.-Noon.JoinDaveErhlinger, Free.
DirectorofHorticultureforatouroftheFirescape Feb. 12Thurs.
Gardenandlearntochooseandwhattoavoidtobe QUAILBOTANICALGARDENSClass "Fire-Safe
firesafe. Members $5,Non-members$7. Landscaping." 7:00-8:30p.m. InstructorDave
Preregistrationandprepaymentrequiredbythe Erhlinger, DirectorofHorticulture.Members$5, Non-
Wednesdaybeforetheclass. MeetattheEcke members $7. Preregistrationandprepaymentrequired
Building,230QuailGardensDrive, Encinitas. bytheTuesdaybeforetheclass. MeetattheEcke
760/436-3036orwww.qbgardens.com. Building,230QuailGardensDrive, Encinitas.
Jan.24Sat. 760/436-3036orwww.qbgardens.com.
S.D. COUNTYBRANCHCYMBIDIUMSOCIETY Feb. 14Sat.
AnnualOrchidAuction. 12:00-4:00p.m. Hundredsof SANDIEGOCACTUS& SUCCULENTSOCIETY
theseoutdoorgrowingplantsatgreatclubprices. WinterBloomingCactusandSucculentsShowand
Refreshmentsprovided.Women'sClubofCarlsbad, Sale. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. BalboaPark, Casadel
3320MonroeSt.,Carlsbad. 760/729-0467.Free. Prado, Room101. Free.
Jan.24Sat. Feb. 14Sat.
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon •SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION
Spring&SummerBulbsat9a.m. 3642EnterpriseSt., LIBRARYwillbeopenfrom 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OrFruitTreePruningat Mon.-Fri.,aswellasthethirdSaturday. Membersof
9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCourt, Poway. SDFAcancheckoutbooks. (Membership$10ayear,
858/513-4900.Free. includesmagazine.)BalboaPark, CasadelPrado,
Jan.25Sun. Room105. 619/232-5762.
THEHUNTINGTON "GreatRosariansoftheWorld: Feb. 14Sat.
RogerPhillipsandMartynRix."Authorsofover30 UCIARBORETUM'SAnnualWinterOrchidShow,
books,PhillipsandRixwilldiscusstheirexperiences "PreludetoSpring." 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
travelingtosomeofthemostremoteareas ofthe Showcasingtheiroutstandingcymbidiumcollectionand
worldinsearchofnewandunusualroses. 2:30p.m. muchmore. CornerofCampusDriveandJamboree
1150OxfordRd, SanMarino. 626/405-3507. RoadontheUCINorthCampus, Irvine. 949/824-
Advancedreservationsandprepaymentrequiredor 5833. $2admission. Childrenunder 12andmembers
[email protected].$25. oftheFriendsoftheUCIArboretumadmittedfree.
Jan.31Sat. Feb. 14Sat.
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon
BonsaiCareat9a.m. 3642EnterpriseSt.,SanDiego. SpringVegetablesat9a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt.,
619/224-8271.OrBare-RootFruitTreesVarietiesand SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OrSpringBulbsat
Careat9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCt, Poway. 9:30a.m. at 12755DanielsonCourt, Poway.
858/513-4900.Free. 858/513-4900.Free.
Feb.2Mon. Feb. 14Sat.
CGCIFLORALDESIGNFORUM2002-2003 WATERCONSERVATIONGARDENMonthly
"HarukoCrawford, SanDiego."MasterInstructorand Class9:30-11:00a.m. 12122CuyamacaCollegeDr.
PresidentoftheIchiyoSchoolofIkebana, SDChapter. West, ElCajon. 619/660-0614.Free.
CarlsbadWomen'sClub, 3320MonroeSt.,Carlsbad. Feb. 14-15Sat.-Sun.
12:30-3:00p.m. $8atthedoor. Info: 760/749-9608. THEHUNTINGTON32ndAnnualCamelliaShow.
Feb.W7ASaLt.TERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon SHaatl.l,1-141:5300Opx.fmo.,rdSRund., S1a0:n3M0aar.imn.o-.4:63206/p4.0m5.-2F1r0i0e.nds'
CymbidiumOrchidCareandCultureat9a.m. 3642 General admission.
EnterpriseSt.,SanDiego. 619/224-8271.OrGarden Feb. 14-15Sat.-Sun.
Railroading:BringingitAllTogetherat9:30a.m. at THEHUNTINGTONBosai-a-Thonsponsoredbythe
12755DanielsonCourt, Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. GoldenStateBonsaiFederation. 10:30a.m.-4:30p.m.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
.
BotanicalCenter, 1150OxfordRd, SanMarino. Feb. 28-29Sat.-Sun.
626/405-2100.General admission. OHARASCHOOLOFIKEBANASHOW. Both
Feb.S14A-N15DSIaEt.G-OSunC.AMELLIASOCIETYExhibit,Wild d1a:0y0s,1a1n:d002:a3.0m.e-a4c:h30dapy..m.BaDlebmooansPtarrka,tiCoanssaatde1l1:P3r0a,do,
AnimalPark. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. bothdays. Free Room101. Free.
withgeneraladmission. Mar. 5-Mar7Fri.-Sun.
Feb. 17Tues. 19THANNUALSPRINGHOME/GARDENSHOW
•SANDIEGOFLORALASSOCIATION General "AllAboutGardens." Showcasing "TheGarden
Meeting(free) at7p.m. withlocalinstructorand MastersExposition2004." DelMarFairgrounds.
lecturerConnieBeck-Crushaspeakingabout"Organic Friday 12-8p.m., Saturday 10a.m.-8p.m., Sunday 10
Gardening." Alsojoiningus, arepresentativefromthe a.m.-5p.m. Admission$12(Children12andunder
WormFarm. Acatereddinnerprecedes themeetingat free). 760/727-7614.
6p.m. Advancedreservationsforthedinnerand Mar. 6Sat.
$11requiredbyFeb. 12. 619/232-5762. THEHUNTINGTONIrrigationWorkshop.
Feb. 19,26Thurs. 9:30a.m.- 12:30p.m. LandscapedesignerJennyRees
THEHUNTINGTON 1-4p.m. Hands-onworkshops willleadanoutdoorworkshopondifferentoptionsand
on"BasicPruningTechniques." 1stsession: shrubs, techniques. Members$35,Non-members$45. 1150
2nd: trees. Eachsession: Members $30, Non-members OxfordRd, SanMarino. Register626/405-2128.
$35. Enrollinboth,getdiscount. 1150OxfordRd,
SanMarino. Registerat626/405-2128. BALBOAPARK
Feb.W21ALSaTt.ERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon SANDIEGOJAPANESEFRIENDSHIPGARDEN
NativePlantsat9a.m. at3642EnterpriseSt.,San OpenTues. thruSun. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Docent
Diego. 619/224-8271.OrOrchids(withspecialguest tourswithreservations. Fee.
619/232-2721.
Pspoewaakye.rs)85a8t/95:1330-4a9.0m0..aFtre1e2.755DanielsonCourt, OFFSHOOT TOURSRangerguided. Varioustopics.
Feb. 22Sun. Saturdays 10:00a.m. MeetatVisitorsCenterinPlaza
SAnAnNuaDlIMEuGshOrMooYmCFOaLirOiGncIlCudAinLgdSiOspClIayEsToYfl6otchal INTEdRePPRanEaTmIa.VE61W9/A2L35K-S112R1a.ngFerere.guided.History
mushroomsandfungi,cookingdemos, horticulture orientedtopics. MeetatVisitorsCenterinPlazade
instruction,andbooksales. 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Panama. TuesdaysandSundaysat 1:00p.m. Free.
BalboaPark, CasadelPrado, Room101. Free. ONGOINGEVENTS
Feb. 25Wed. SANDIEGONATURALHISTORYMUSEUM
THEHUNTINGTONTreeIdentificationWorkshop.
CanyoneerWalks. Sat-Sun. Sept-June.
F8oal.smo.m-5fopr.mt.hisJoailnl-BdoatyawniocraklshGoaprduesnisngDitrheectHourntJiinmgton 619/232-3821ext203orwww.sdnhm.orgfor
locations,timesanddirections. Free.
groundsandlabstogainskillsintreeidentification. QUAILBOTANICALGARDENSGardenTours&
Suitableforbothcertifiedarboristsandamateurswith
aNnoni-ntmeermesbteirnstr$e8e5s..(ALbuonrcishtsi:sifnocrluidnefdo.rmMaetimobnearbsou$t75, EEnvceinntist.as9.:07060a/.4m3.6--53:00306p.orm.ww2w3.0qbQugaairldeGnasr.decnosm.Drive,
Generaladmission.
ContinuingEducationUnits,call626/405-3504.) 1150 BLUESKYECOLOGICALRESERVEWalks.
Feb.TO2x8HfEoSartdH.URdN,TSIaNnGMTarOiNno.CuRreagtiosrt'esrG6a2r6d/e4n05W-a2l1k2:8.The WALPKoAwaByO.USTat.I&NTSEunR.N9A:T00IOa.NmA.L85L8o/c6a7l9-G5u4i6d9e.d
ParkingLot. 9-10:30a.m. Dozensoftreesplantedby CUYWAaMlkAs.CANewCsOleLttLerE.G6E19W/a2t3e1r-SCoHnOsEe.rvFarteieo.n
HenryHuntingtonarepreservedhere. Tourledby
GardenLandscapeSeminaron2ndSaturdayofeach
ClairMartin,theE. L. andRuthB. ShannonCurator
oftheRoseGarden. Members$20, Non-members$30. month. 9:30a.m. DocenttoursSat. 10:30a.m. and
Sun. 1:30p.m. 619/660-0614.Free.
Feb. 12185S0atO.xfordRd, SanMarino. Register626/405-2128. THEHUNTINGTONisopenTuesdaythroughFriday
WALTERANDERSENNURSERYCLASSon noonto4:30p.m., SaturdayandSunday 10:30a.m. to
4:30p.m. ClosedMondayandmostholidays.$12.50
CSstpi.et,criuSasalnCgauDreiesetgaosn.pde6aC1kue9lr/ts2u)2r4ea-ta8t92:79310.a.amO..rm.aOtract3h6i14d22s75E(5nwtietrhprise yaGdoruuolttuhsp,(r5$a-1t1e01)(se1cn0hii+ol)rdsr,$e9n$.85u.0n5.d0e6rs2t65u/da4en0ndt5s-m2(e11m02b0-1eo8rr)s,$fr5eef.or
DanielsonCourt, Poway. 858/513-4900.Free. www.huntington.org
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004
San Diego Horticultural Society
"DOWNTOEARTH"withTomPiergrossinightly Meetings2 Mondayofeverymonth,6:30pm
at7:30p.m.onCTN.TimeWarner22orCox19or FreeAdmission-EveryoneWelcome!
24andAdelphia66.
SurfsideRacePlace,DelMarFairgrounds
2260JimmyDuranteBlvd.
GARDENING CLASSES Joinusforaguestspeaker,plantsales,plantdisplay.
Meetingsareopentoall. Membershipbringsyou:
BETTYNEWTON 3Monthly26-pagenewsletter «?Seed&plantswap
£Tripstooutstandinggardens *Videoandbooklibrary
12-WEEKCOURSE *Localgardentours *AnnualGardenParty
FlowerGardens: Year-Round ColorwithAnnuals, £Discountsatnurseries 3andmuchmore!
Perennials, Bulbs andOldFashionedRoses. UpcomingEvents&Meetings:
BeginningJan. 8Thurs. A.M.
Jan.12:OrganizingSpaceintheGarden
TCehnutresrd,ayRo8o:5m01a2.,m.1-5N5o0onM.elFoodotyhiLlalnseA,dEulltCajon. gGaarrdyenKionltloear,serwiielsloefxrpolaoimnshbyowcretaotidnigvpiodseititvhee
619/401-4122. $28Texts. (planted)andnegative(architectural)spaces.
J8O-WYECEEKGECMOMURESLEL FetMbhae.r9fy:abMSuplcoeBucrsiiardlee-IbrwliisololfmoisrnhgoSwaannsdlDiiodteeshgeorfriorimssyoomuecaonf
StartingaVegetableGarden grow,andtalkaboutherfavorites.
BeginningFeb. 6Fri. A.M. Availablenow:ourhardcover,lavishlyillustratedbook,
Tuesday9:00a.m.-12:10p.m., FoothillsAdult OrnamentalTreesofSanDiego,only$34.95
Center, Room 12, 1550MelodyLane, ElCajon.
Info:www.sdhortsoc.org
619/401-4122. $25.
StartingaVegetableGarden (forOlderAdults) or(760)730-3268
BeginningJan26Mon. P.M.
Friday 12:00-3:00p.m., WellsParkCenter,1153
E. MadisonAve., ElCajon. 619/401-4122. $10.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
CONNIEBECK-CRUSHA
ORCHID SOCIETY
12-WEEKCOURSE
HomeLandscapingI-PrinciplesandTechniques of
Organic Gardening /VOWisthetimetojoin! Learn how easy
BeginningJan. 14Wed. P.M. and fun it is to grow orchids. Meet the experts
Wednesday6:30-8:30p.m., SantanaAdult through society activities including lectures,
C6e1n9t/e7r4,9-R4o0o59mo1r30651,9/9599165-3M6a5g7n.ol$i2a8,. Santee. teovuerrsy,moTophneetnhshooacutiseeCtsay,samaendedetlsclPatrshasedeosf.iirnstBTalubeosadaPyarko.f
AT MIRACOSTA COLLEGE Cultural classesstartat 6:30 p.m. inthe library,
followed bythe regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. in
CLASSES BEGINJANUARY26, 2004 room 101. Refreshments,orchiddisplay,and an
www.miracosta.edu orchid raffle follow the meeting.
All this and a great monthly newsletter
Deadlineforsubmissionto for only $10.00 (single membership) or $12.50
HORTICULTURAL CALENDARforMARCH- (dual membership) per year. Don't delay, make
APRILissueisJANUARY 15. SANDIEGO yourcheckouttodaytothe SDCOSand mailto:
FLORAL ASSOCIATION isnotresponsiblefor
changesthataresubmittedlatebytheorganizations. SDCViOvSianMeFmoblelmresrhip
13127 Roundup
San Diego, CA 92129
[phone]
JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
Gleanings
gatheredbybarbarajones
PLANTSMAN
. . . spikes grow at the ends of long shrubsas afireprevention.
There aremany wordsweuseto stems. When they explode the
describe people who are seeds in the pericarps (traveling PLANTSALES
. .
gardening or interested in it. capsules)arebornebywinds.The In a recent article on the
Recently in The Garden, the cattail is one of nature's most flower/plant business in the San
periodical of the Royal prolific plants as each flowering Diego Union-Tribune it was
HorticulturalSociety,aplantsman spike produces at least 250,000 reportedthatlocal sales were off
wasdescribed. Accordingtotheir seeds! It really makes a mess if due to the recent long grocery
definition,aplantsmanisaperson one explodes in your house. workersstrike. Themostaffected
who not only grows plants but (Spraying the spike with hair growers are the small ones
knowsthescientificnameandthe spraycanpreventthis.)Thelong primarilylocatedinNorthCounty
origin of the plants in their linear leaves are attractive and thatdomostoftheirsaleslocally.
garden. I thought it might be turn yellow and orange as they Sales of flowers and plants in
interestingtoasksomeofourSan dry. It is an attractive winter grocery stores are usually
Diegogardeners how they would plant. "impulse buying." The lack of
describe a plantsman. Here are grocery store sales is not being
sseollmsepalnasntwse,rs:(2)(1)aanupresresroyn-mwahno, FAIRfiEreRfiEghTtAinRgDtAecNhnTiq.ue. .that has poifcskteodreuspthbaytshaalnedsleinfortehsehrptlyapntess
(3) apersonwho notonly grows beenaround along time againis andflowers.
plants but knows the scientific beingusedsuccessfullytoprevent The local plant and flower
names, (4) a person who knows fire. It is a foam made of industry generated $880 million
all phases of gardening. dishwashing soap and water that lastyear. (All the sales werenot
Webster's Dictionary says a is mixed and spewed with made locally.) This was about
plantsman is "one who grows or compressed air and forms a 70% of the total agricultural
sellsplantscommercially." shaving cream-like lather over productionofSanDiegocounty.
We probably all agree that a surfaces. It lasts about an hour.
gardener is someone who grows New firetrucks are being N.Z. FLAX . . .
plants and a farmer is a person equipped with these compressed NewZealandflaxesareattractive
whogrowsplantsonalargescale air foam systems called CAFS. perennial plants that use little
forhislivelihood,butwhatabout The foam is more effective than water,requireminimumcare,can
ahorticulturist?Maybethatisour water, it wets faster than water, grow in any soil, and flourishin
commonname foraplantsman. and less water is needed. These almostanyclimate.
new firetrucks were used in Los The plants were discovered in
CATTAILS . . . AngelesCountyduringtherecent 1773 by Captain Cook, the
Because we have beautiful living fires. They are being used in famous English plant explorer.
flowersandplantsyear-roundnot Phoenix. In Texas, if firetrucks The native people were using it
many San Diegans make dried equipped with CAFS are in the for baskets, fish nets, rope, and
arrangements. But cattails are area, the fire insurance rates are clothing. The scientific name
—
different they areessential for reduced. Phormium is derived from the
winter. There are no reports on the Greek word for basket. P. tenax
Cattails are found throughout effects of this foam on has stiff, leathery, sword-like
the world growing on the edges surroundingplants,butinthepast leaves that can reach 9 feet in
of shallow freshwater lakes and soapsolutionshavebeenusedfor length. Theleaves are greenand
ponds.AroundSanDiegowefind insect control with no lasting yellow. P. colensoi, mountain
a broad-leafed cattail (Typha effects on the host plants. Also, flax, issmaller, lessstiff, andthe
latifolia) growing wild. Their as yettherearenoreportsonthe —foliage is more brightly colored
fuzzy, brown, 6 to 8 inch long effectofthissolutionontreesand yellow, orange, purple, etc.
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2004
SAN DIEGO TOPIARIES
BY ROBERT HORWITZ
THE WIFE OF THE "TRAVELING GARDENER" gardener, Mrs. Harper will create and implement a
discovered a topiary garden on Union Street that is design, which mighttake years. Mr. Harpertakes care
magnificent. There are over forty-five sculptures that of the maintenance, watering when required, and
stand proudly on a steep slope that fronts a two-story fertilizing with triple-16 fertilizer and an occasional
house. treatmentwithammoniumsulfate.
Theownersoftheproperty,EdnaandAlexHarper, TheHarpersenjoythereactionofneighborsaswell
are avid travelers, and the idea of the topiary garden as tourists. He told me of the glee of a bus load of
camefromseeingtheminEurope,Egypt,andThailand. schoolchildrenwhentheystoppedtoinspectthegarden.
Initiallythebankwascoveredbyalargerandomgrowth The pruning process is meticulous. Inspecting the
ofhoneysucklevines. Thisistheprimaryplantusedfor surfac—e ofthe topiaries one does not see clipper twig
the topiaries. When Mrs. Harper was in Bangkok she ends justamonogamous surfaceofleaves. Thereare
touredHindugardens, temples, andbuildingsthatwere cleverlypositionedladder footings inthegardenplaced
surrounded by large, well-kept topiaries. The elephant soasnottointerferewiththeplants.
onthebank is aresultofthatvisit. On atrip to Egypt Drive by: The address is 3547 Union Street, San
they decided to make some pyramid topiaries that are Diego.
locatednearthetopofthebank.
Other topiaries include a fish, a whale, various
birds,camels,monkeys,anestinghen,andevenpeople. RobertHorwitzisaretiredspaceengineerwhogardens
Interestingly, the topiaries are created without using inthePointLomasectionofSanDiego.
armaturesorformingwire. Withthehelpofafull-time Photographsby VickiLogoandJoanneMangianeli.
8 JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004 CALIFORNIA GARDEN
PLANS AND PLANTS TO CONSIDER
BEFORE THE NEXT FIRE®
BY PAT PAWLOWSKI
UNBELIEVABLY, IT HAPPENEDAGAIN. Another (1)THEEASYWAY
fire, thistimealotworse. Although this advice comes two months after the
Justafew issuesagoIhadwrittenanarticlecalled mainevent, theremay stillbetime(forthoseofuswho
"PlantsthatWelcomeWildlifeandFightFires" forthis are procrastinators anyway) not to do anything. For
magazine. In it, I had described how, in October of those who live near and/or on wild areas, the advice
2b0u0r2n,eda2m2-uacchreborfushthfeiredweaaydbevheignedtaotuironpropthearttyhhaadd fisrtohmisT:r"eIenomfoLsitfecaNsuersse.r.y.(dwownwot.thrienego.flSiefeedniurnsgerwyil.clonmo)t
accumulated after too many years of fire suppression. help the land . . . The soil surface should not be
(ThankgoodnesstheSignificantOtherandIhadcleared disturbed, as valuable seed, bulbs, and root systems in
away much ofthe brush closest to the house.) At that addition to many beneficial microorganisms lie just
time, there wereplentiful firefightersandequipmentto belowthesurface.Theabove-groundvegetationrelieson
squelch the flames, and we breathed a sigh of relief a healthy below-ground ecosystem, especially after a
whenitwasall over. Well, wewouldn'thavetoworry catastrophe."
aboutanotherfireforawhile, wethought. Plantsinouryards,includingexoticsthathavebeen
Ha. touched—or even torched—by fire should be given a
The Cedar Fire of2003 caused a horrific loss of chancetorecover. Itisbesttowaitseveralmonthsafter
livesandproperty. Wewereamongtheluckyones; our afire, andhopeforsoftgentlerainstomixashintothe
house was spared. However, some plants and animals soilandnurturedamagedplants. Indeed, onlydaysafter
that enlivened our surroundings were now gone. the Cedar Fire was extinguished, some rain fell and
Twofireswithinoneyear'stimehasmadeusaware thousands of tiny seedlings (many of them weeds,
thatpotential conflagrationwill always bejustone step unfortunately)poked theirlittleselves throughthesoil.
away, andweknowthatwebettergetusedtoit. Native North American plants like Mexican bush sage
OrelsemovebacktoPhiladelphia. (Salvialeucantha),mountainmarigold(Tageteslemmoni)
In Philadelphia, which is moistened by over 45 anddesertelderberry (Sambucusmexicana), whichhad
inchesofrainayear, afire'slifeismeasuredinminutes beentoasted to tan by flames and givenup as goners,
orhours;buthereinSanDiegoCounty, afirecanlive actuallydisplayednewleavesattheirbases,allinavery
onfordays.Thesamesunny,dry,amenable,garden-all- short time. Some others thathave the ability to stump
year-long weatherthatdrewus outhereisalsofriendly sproutinclude: oaks (Quercus sp.), toyon(Heteromeles
tofire. arbutifolia), Catalinacherry (Prunuslyonii), andmany
To learn to live with the threat of fire we must sumacs (Rhus sp.). Ifthe deeptaprootofeachofthese
employ prevention methods endorsed by organizations species is unharmed, fire will stimulate it to send out
like FireSafe San Diego County and the BurnInstitute newgrowthquickly.
(858-541-2277);theCaliforniaDivisionofForestryand And whileyou are busy doing nothing you might
Fire Control (619-590-3160); and the City of San liketo observechanges inour wildareas. Wildflowers
Diego's Fire Services (619-533-4400). In fact, a large you may have never seen before—phacelia, lupine,
portion ofthe Fire Services' recommendations can be deerweed, liliesandso forth—shouldoccurinformerly
found in the May-June 1997 issue of our very own shadyplacesthatarenewlyexposedtothesun.
CaliforniaGardenmagazine. CallorvisittheSanDiego Now for the second way for gardeners to
Floral Association (619-232-5762), or its website safeguardentheirlandscape:
(www.sdfloral.org) for more information. Check at
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/wildfire.h (2)THEHARDWAY
tmlforadditionaladvice. Interestedgreenthumberscan Theterm"hard" asusedhereactuallymeansusing
visit the Firescape Demonstration Garden at Quail "hardscape"aroundyourhouse.Notrees,please,should
BotanicalGardens.Andasfortryingtosafeguardand/or be situated too close to your house. This will distress
repairourtraumatizedgardens,thereareseveralwaysto those, including me, who like to see green branches
dothis, including: caress their window panes; however, if you live in a
CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004
withafew large shrubs inthe general vicinity. Infact,
one ofthebossiest hummingbirds I have ever seen sits
inour small weeping fig (Ficusbenjamina)thatresides
inaceramicpotonthepatio.
Alsoprovidea few large rocks as abaskingplace
for transient butterflies and diminutive leaping lizards!
(Butterflies also will appreciate nectar-containing fire-
resisting plants such as statice (Limonium perezii),
evergreen currant (Ribes viburnifolium), lavender
(Lavandula sp.), lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina), and
yarrow (Achilleamillefolium). Therearemanymore.
Finally,hereisperhapsthebestgardeningstrategy
ofall:
YOURVERYOWNWAY
(3)
Pick what you want to do from all the above
suggestions.
Adopt apositive attitude. Look for the wildlife to
rebound. Although many perished by being burned,
breathing toxic gasses, or suffocating, a plentiful food
phacelias Achilleamillefolium supplyfollowingthefirewillcausethosewhosurviveto
[Donotcompare sizes.] multiplyquickly, orsowehope.
As for wonderful old trees like the pines at
dangerous fire area you must realize that a tree right Cuyamaca Rancho State Parkfunfortunately, some old
nexttoyourhousegivesfireeasyaccess. growththathasbeendestroyedwilltakeyears to come
Learntoloverocks.Usegravel,boulders,andeven back. But what wonders we may witness as the land
concrete (much as I hate to say it). But these days changes, grows, and recovers. We need to accept, but
concretecomesinvariouscolorsandfinishesandifused learnhowtomoderate,thatwhichwillsomedayhappen
correctly can add to the aesthetics of your outdoor
again: Wildfire.
environment. Use rocks of different size, shape, and Or, wecouldallmovetoPhiladelphia.
colorto add interest. Place somepottedplantsonyour
bhiarrddbsactahp,e.anHdealnpotwhieldrlisfietubatyedaoddnitnhgeagrboeuanudti.fuHlopwedaebsotault aCnopdytrhieghwtildblyifPeagtarPdaewnlodwesskiig,newrfhooriAsniamawrtietderG/alrecdteunrse,r
a small fountain? Birds are drawn to the sound of 619-390-9399.
running water. It doesn't have to be a roaring
waterfallteventhewhisperofalittletablefountainwill GROWING WILDFLOWERS
beckonTweetytostopby. Andifyouwanttogoforthe
gusto, getalargefountainorbirdbath, andyoumaybe
visitedbyaCooper'shawk,justlikewewererecently. PLANNINGTHE SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Speakingofwater, makesuretorinseanyresidual Siteselectionisyourfirstorderoftheday. Unless
ashoffplantleavesifithasnotrainedappreciably youareplanningaspecial shadegardenofwildflowers,
yet. The National Wildlife Federation warns that to your site should receive six hours or more of direct
avoidanopportunityformosquitoestobreed,weshould sunlighteach day. Shade mixtures usually recommend
bevigilantandchangethewatersupplyeverytwodays two to four hours of sun, but read up on any shade
or so. "Mosquito Dunks," consisting ofthe bacterium varietiesforbestresults. Forwildflowerseeds itisbest
thatkeepsmosquitoesatbay, alsocanbeused. toplantinfallthroughwinter.
Besidesbathingthebirds, how aboutfeeding them SITEPREPARATION
too?WildBirdsUnlimitedinCarlsbadandtheWildBird Tokeepweedsandothervegetationfromcompeting
CenterinEncinitashaveallkindsoffeeders,books,and with your flowers, they must be eliminated—the site
otherparaphernaliato getyou started. Andyoudo not shouldbe cleared. This canbe done in two ways. The
needtohaveaforestintheyardtogetlotsofdifferent first way is to use a non-specific herbicide applied to
kinds ofbirds. Many ofour native birdswill behappy growingplantswhereyouplantoplant. Thistakesafew
10 JANUARY-FEBRUARY2004 CALIFORNIA GARDEN