The MGS Forum

Our gardens, a month-by-month pictorial diary of what's looking good now => Our Gardens => Topic started by: cicerone on May 02, 2012, 09:33:08 PM

Title: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: cicerone on May 02, 2012, 09:33:08 PM

My young garden is not much to look at yet, but up close I'm finding plenty to keep my interest with my natives, most of which are doing well. I can't get enough of the leaves and red bark of manzanitas. Shame they grow so incredibly slow (or so it seems)

Arctostaphylos montaraensis - Montara Manzanita
Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet' - Emerald Carpet Manzanita
Rhododendron Occidentale - Western Azalea
Iris douglasiana - Douglas Iris
Artemisia pycnocephala 'David's Choice' - David's Choice Sandhill Sage
Myrica Californica - Pacific Wax Myrtle

Title: Re: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: Alisdair on May 03, 2012, 08:05:35 AM

Lovely plants! That beach sage (? Artemisia pycnocephala) looks particularly interesting, and I imagine would also do well in hotter drier places than your fog belt?

Title: Re: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: Jill S on May 03, 2012, 09:57:22 AM

Alisdair, there are UK suppliers listed by RHS for Artemisia pycnocephala

Title: Re: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: Alisdair on May 03, 2012, 11:05:37 AM

Thanks, Jill!

Title: Re: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: MikeHardman on May 03, 2012, 03:30:39 PM

Manzanita reminds me of hiking, driving and photography in the California Sierras in the 1980s - wonderful scenery, flowers (love the Dodecatheons), etc.
Your Myrica californica reminds me of Dodonea viscosa by its luminous green leaves.

Title: Re: Native Spring Foliage in Northern California
Post by: cicerone on May 03, 2012, 04:10:16 PM

Thanks everyone. Yes, that beach sage is interesting. Incredibly soft, gray foliage. Naturally occurring along the foggy (yet otherwise dry) coast in Point Reyes just north of San Francisco. I was told it does just fine with a bit of shade inland.

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=95

Looked up Dodonaea. Yes, I love that apple green foliage, especially in contrast to most of our natives which are dusty dark green... Here's a couple more, my mountain coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica tomentella) and coyote mint (Monardella Villosa)