Silver foliage 2016-notes
Transcript of Silver foliage 2016-notes
12/5/2016
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© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. CountyProject SOUND – 2016 (our 12th year)
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Silvery Delights: gardening with white, gray
and silver foliage
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH (emeritus) & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh PreserveDecember 3 & 8, 2016
Rediscovering Eden: S. California Gardensfor the 21st Century
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Two important contrasts in S. CA (and other Mediterranean)
gardens
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Green vs. non-green
Light vs. dark
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California landscape painters use these contrasts to create lovely paintings
© Project SOUNDhttp://oceanquigley.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-series-of-california-landscape.html
As do the best landscape designers
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https://sissinghurstcastle.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/when-a-wheel-barrow-wont-do/
Our California native gardens succeed best when they take advantage of these contrasts
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Many classic European ‘white gardens’ feature flowers
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https://www.pinterest.com/explore/white-gardens/
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Gardens with white flowers are enchanting by day
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http://wefollowpics.com/moon-garden-all-white-flowers-and-gray-foliage-white-forget-me-nots-tulips-daisies-and-money-plants-combined-with-hostas-and-silvery-astelia-foliage/
…and even better with the fading light
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Another name for white gardens is ‘moon gardens’
While temperate gardens showcase white flowers, Mediterranean gardens excel with light foliage
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/482307441324344276/http://youreasygarden.com/simple-ways-to-use-white-in-the-garden/
Why do temperate and Mediterranean gardeners achieve their whites in different ways?
Temperate gardens are shadier (and therefore darker)
They have more shade trees and more overcast days
Bright white flowers and foliage really brighten up shadier gardens
White stands out better than the more muted silvery foliage types
Fortunately, temperate climates also have many white flowers – but less silvery foliage - to choose from
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http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/holiday-at-sissinghurst/p1010369_2/
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Why do temperate and Mediterranean gardeners achieve their whites in different ways?
Mediterranean climate gardens are sunnier (and therefore brighter)
They have fewer/less dense trees and fewer overcast days, brighter sunlight
Gardens are already light; whites don’t stand out as well
More muted silvery foliage – with a little color to the mix – looks better than neutral white in a bright garden
Fortunately, mediterranean climates also have many native silvery foliage plants to choose from – temperate gardeners envy us our silvery foliage
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/522206519262061613/
Two concepts important for designing with light-colored foliage:
1. How much contrast is there between light and dark (e.g. the degree or range of contrast)?
2. Is the lighter foliage ‘cool’ in tone (blue-green), ‘warm’ (silvery-green; silver/gold) or neutral (bright white; neutral gray)
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warm cool
Dark colors make us feel…
Solid, grounded Heavy Somber Sober Calm, serene
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You probably would not like a garden that was all darks
Dark colors ‘recede’; light colors ‘advance’
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https://www.pinterest.com/explore/white-gardens/
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Dark colors ‘recede’; light colors ‘advance’
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http://www.freshdesignpedia.com/interior-design-ideas/ready-for-the-summer-furnishing-ideas-for-indoors-and-outdoors.html
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-Windham-6-ft-H-x-6-ft-W-White-Vinyl-Fence-Panel-73002103/202297437
Large garden or small, background should be dark(unless there’s a really good reason to do otherwise)
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http://www.gardenista.com/posts/trend-alert-black-fences/
Creating a ‘dark’ garden background
Planting dark evergreen shrubs
Painting walls/fences a dark, preferably grayed, color
Creating areas of shade
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http://indulgy.com/post/WYfDcpGxQ1/the-white-garden-sissinghurst
http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/awesome-accents-17-ways-to-make-any-space-pop-with-color-46922#.WEIU5mcU-Uk
http://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/garden-of-the-week-linda-yeager
Dark colors are usually used for background…but not always
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/182466222379148078/
Light colored foliage can serve as a background for darker accent plants
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Light/pale colors make us feel:
Happy, peppy Light (not heavy) Excited Summery Like they are coming
towards us Near by; close to us
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You probably would not like a garden that was all pastels
Dark colors ‘recede’; light colors ‘advance’
© Project SOUNDhttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/259449628502874271/
Light colors make us feel bright & summery
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Ways of creating ‘light’ accents in the garden Flowers with white/pale colors Plants with white/silvery foliage Hardscape
Pots and planters Garden art Walkway materials Mulch, boulders, etc. Lighting
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http://pittsburghoutdoorlighting.com/tag/pittsburgh-landscape-lighting/
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Light/pale colors are usually used as garden accents …
but not always
© Project SOUNDhttp://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/blog/2013/12/winter-garden-tools/
Two concepts important for designing with light-colored foliage:
1. How much contrast is there between light and dark?
2. Is the lighter foliage ‘cool’ in tone (blue-green), ‘warm’ (silvery-green; silver/gold) or neutral (bright white; neutral gray)
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warm cool
These two concepts help explain why temperate gardeners are so enchanted by mediterranean gardens
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Let’s look at some actual landscapes
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http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02407/Harlowcarr2_2407849b.jpg
Clearly, a very high contrast garden
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What about this temperate white garden?
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High contrast/neutral white
Another high contrast/neutral white design
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This is essentially the classic temperate zone ‘white garden’
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/251146116692235608/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/479703797795311305/
Another moderate contrast/cool silvers
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/163748136425865989/
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Bright white is neutral
Warm, light colors : silvery greens and golds
More ‘moderate contrast/warm silvery foliage’
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/163748136427787424/
Where do Mediterranean gardens fit?
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534661786995634673/
European mediteranean gardens feature many plants native to their region
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More Mediterranean gardens
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/522206519262061613/https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38632509282381226/
Moderate contrast – fewer darks Mix of warm and cool silvers – but often more warm Use of mulch – usually light colored – and other
hardscape as design elements
Where do S. California native plants fit?
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Which look is most appropriate for S. CA?
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Advantages of designing with white/silver foliage (rather than white flowers)
Many such plants are water-wise
Foliage doesn’t fade (like white flowers do)
Many have best color in sunny places; but some are fine in low-light situations
Many to choose from (both S. CA natives and other mediterranean)
Lots of variability: Size Texture Brightness
© Project SOUNDhttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/83035186858621967/
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Benefits of designing with silver/light foliage
Color is long-lasting (often year-round), not seasonal; easier to design with stationary contrasts
Easy to produce masses/swaths of color – year-round
Many size/height options: trees to low-growing plants
Colors tend to be soothing –whether you choose warm or cool silvers/lights
Foliage texture adds additional interest
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Let’s discover some design clues by studying Mediterranean gardens
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Start with a good dark background
One common attribute of Mediterranean gardens: trees with silvery foliage
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/212865519863542396/
Some of the best native trees with silvery foliage are the manzanitas
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Several manzanitas have silvery leaves
Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca)
‘Lester Rountree’ manzanita
‘John Dourley’ manzanita
Whiteleaf Manzanita (A. viscida ssp. viscida)
Diablo Blush Manzanita (A. auriculata)
Ghostly Manzanita (A. silvicola)
Ian Bush Manzanita (A. densiflora x A. pungens)
Laguna Manzanita (A. glandulosa adamsii).
© Project SOUND© Project SOUND
*Bishop manzanita – Arctostaphylos obispoensis
©1993 David Graber
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*Bishop manzanita – Arctostaphylos obispoensis
©1993 David Graber
©2011 Chris Winchell
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=13958
Foothills of coastal mountains, Monterrey and San Luis Obispo Counties
Arctostaphylos obispoensis Eastwood [family ERICACEAE], Leafl. W. Bot., 2: 8. 1937
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Bishop manzanita: silvery foliage
Size: 5-10+ ft tall 5-10 ft wide
Growth form: Woody shrub/small tree Dense, mounded form Attractive, dark red bark
Foliage: Typical simple, rounded to
lanceshaped manzanita leaves – somewhat leathery
Color: blue-green to gray-green – pretty color due to leaf hairs
http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm
©2006 Steve Matson
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© Project SOUND
Pretty flowers & fruits
Blooms: late winter/early spring –Jan-Mar is usual
Flowers: Small, white, urn-shaped
flowers typical for manzanita Attract hummingbirds,
butterflies, large bees
Fruits: Small (1/2 inch or less) ‘apple’
of the manzanitas Edible and tasty – birds will
eat if you don’t use them Ripen in summer
©2016 Susan McDougall
Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences © Project SOUND
Bishop manzanita: typical of Central Coast species
Soils: Texture: adaptable (even clay) pH: best with neutral to
slightly acidic (pH: 6.0-7.0)
Light: Full sun on coast Part-shade everywhere else;
fine under trees (bright shade)
Water: Winter: need to supplement
most years Summer: occasional (Water
Zone 1-2 to 2)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: use an organic mulch
©2011 Chris Winchell
Most manzanitas have a nice, natural shape and need little pruning. Can be pruned up to small tree.
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Bishop manzanita Nice evergreen foundation or
background shrub Good under pines & other tall trees Foliage color provides a nice accent
for other green shrubs Fine on dry slopes
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/63--arctostaphylos-obispoensis-san-luis-obispo-manzanitahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_obispoensis
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‘Lester Rountree’ manzanita Hybrid: A. pajaroensis X ? A. obispoensis 8-10 ft tall & wide Open, sculptural growth habit Light blue-green foliage – almost a gray-
blue cast – nice as accent colorhttp://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/category/california-native-plants/page/2/
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/268090756_f6a54c9577.jpghttps://www.flickr.com/photos/mechanoid_dolly/4943065895
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Use ‘Lester Rountree’ in place of an olive tree
© Project SOUNDhttps://www.pinterest.com/explore/mediterranean-garden/
The size is better suited for a smaller landscape
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A waxy cuticle layer prevents moisture loss.
A common adaptation in plants from dry climates
Often found in combination with succulent (water-storing) foliage
Clues to a plant's surface type can often be found in its species name: argentea denotes silver in
general
glauca defines the moodier cast of waxy blue-greens.
Inspiration from a Spanish garden: Palacio, Palma del Río, Provincia de Córdoba
© Project SOUNDhttp://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/carmona-22.html#1
Manicured shrubs chosen for their foliage color
Light foliage medium-size
shrubs
Lavender – Lavandula spp Lavender Cotton – Santolina chamaecyparissus Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) Artemisia – Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’
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Some common choices
Usually dense foliage with small leaves – perfect for either natural or manicured look
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The Artemisias are hard to beat for silvery foliage that ranges from white to gold
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http://prairie476.rssing.com/chan-7188697/all_p5.html
California sagebrush is known to most gardeners – but other great species merit attention
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Coastal Sagewort - Artemisia pycnocephala
© 2005 George W. Hartwell
‘David’s Choice’ Coastal Sagewort is readily available and well-loved
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*Silver wormwood – Artemisia ludoviciana
http://redrockcanyonopenspace.org/education/biology/sage/© Project SOUND
*Silver wormwood – Artemisia ludoviciana
©2012 Jean Pawek
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/draw_tiny2.pl?e4e3fcf507
Much of North America, from Canada south to Mexico
Locally – San Gabriel Mountain range Aka ‘Prairie Sage’ in the nursery trade; widely
available (best to get local source type)
http://www.crossconservation.org/encyclopedia/prairie-sage
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© Project SOUND
Silver wormwood: luscious silvery foliage
Size: 1-2 ft tall 3-5 ft wide (species spreads)
Growth form: Upright to mounded perennial or
sub-shrub Many upright stems (somewhat
like Mugwort – bit more shrub-like
Foliage: Lovely silvery to blue-green
foliage – wonderful accent Leaves like cross between
mugwort & chrysanthemum -fragrant
Roots: net-like roots© 2005, Ben Legler
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Flowers are inconsequential
Blooms: in spring – usually Feb-Apr in lowland LA County
Flowers: Composite flowers (ray and
disk flowers) Flower heads are bell-shaped
(like CA Sagebrush) on upright stems
Flowers small, yellow
Seeds: small, sunflower seeds –birds like them, and plants will re-seed
Vegetative reproduction: spreads via rhizomes
2010, Ron Bockelman
© 2009, G. D. Carr
© Project SOUND
Easy-to-grow plant Soils: Texture: just about any – not
particular and grows in many different soils in wilds.
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade; needs
at least a good 4 hours sun for good color.
Water: Winter: needs adequate water Summer: wide tolerance range,
but best with some summer water (Water Zone 1-2 to 2)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: shallow organic mulch fine
http://khkeeler.blogspot.com/2013/02/sages-garden-sage-and-sagebrush.html
To look good, plants should be pruned back to 4-5 inches (or mowed) in fall – treat like Mugwort or Goldenrods
© Project SOUND
Wormwood: lots of potential As a ground cover – alone or mixed
with other natives (prairie planting) As an accent plant in front of
evergreen shrubs In Mediterranean or herb garden As an attractive pot plant
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARLU
© 2010, Ron Bockelman
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Artemisia_ludoviciana
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Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’
Most like the species in terms of size, growth habit, appearance
Blue-green foliage Widely available – garden adapted
© Project SOUND
http://www.paintedflowerfarm.com/pages/plants/natives/artemisia,silver-king.htm
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/434386326528208910/
Artemisia ludoviciana‘Silver Queen’
A bit more shrub-like and less apt to spread
Very silvery foliage Refined appearance Widely available – garden tested
© Project SOUND
http://www.zelen.cz/detail_galerie_rostlin/Artemisia_ludoviciana_Silver_Queen_pelynek_Ludvikuv
https://www.groeneparadijs.com/producten/tuinplanten/vaste-planten/artemisia-ludoviciana-silver-queen-westerse-bijvoet
https://www.plantes-shopping.fr/articles/artemisia-ludoviciana-silver-queen-1882.html
Artemisia ludoviciana‘Valerie Finnis’
Most refined appearance of cultivars Looks like shrubby perennial Larger leaves Very light, attractive foliage Probably the most widely available
© Project SOUND
http://www.ivydenegardens.co.uk/Mixed%20Border%20Herbaceous/artvaleriefinnis.html
http://www.gardeningimpulse.ie/shop/artemisia-ludoviciana-valerie-finnis/
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1600791/artemesia-ludoviciana-valerie-finnis-photo
© Project SOUND
Why some plants have white/silver foliage
Many silver/gray plants also use their hairs (trichomes) for defense against predation (mostly from insects)
Some hairs are sharp Others secrete unpleasant
chemicals Some probably just present
physical obstacles to smaller insects – or feel ugly to walk on
Protection is very important to plants that have a limited growing season.
Dove Plant - Croton setagerus
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Widely used medicinal plant
Tea from leaves for stomach ache or sore throat
Tea from roots as laxative
Dry, powered leaves as snuff for head colds, headaches, sinus attacks
Strong tea as wash for eczema, deodorant and antiperspirant for underarms and feet
A wash of the leaves applied to itching, rashes, swellings, boils, sores
A poultice of leaves for sores and to relieve muscle pains
© Project SOUND
http://www.cannonvalleynursery.com/output/moreinfo/Artemisia_ludoviciana.asp
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/artemisia-ludoviciana-valerie-finnis/classid.2000006631/
Atriplex species form dense shrubs that can be pruned to formal or informal shapes
© Project SOUND
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/carmona-22.html
They also provide warm, silvery tones
© Project SOUND
Other interesting explanations for ‘silvery’ foliage
The foliage of Saltbushes (Atriplex species) often has a sparkly silver appearance, providing an interesting foliage contrast in gardens
Silver appearance due to salt crystals secreted by special glands in the leaves
Allows the plants to live in salty soils – they simply excrete the excess salt
They need to be under some form of water stress, either drought, salt, or salt spray
Why are Atriplex prized as pruned shrubs?
Fast growth rate; small or large Evergreen Dense branching pattern Small leaves; densely packed on
branches Lovely pale foliage colors
© Project SOUNDhttp://www.jardinbotanico.uma.es/bbdd/index.php/jb-alm-02/
http://www.riomoros.com/2012/03/la-osagra-atriplex-halimus.html
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We’ve visited several local species
© Project SOUND
Atriplex lentiformis
Atriplex leucophylla
Atrip[lex californica
© Project SOUND
Coast Quailbush: best in larger gardens
On banks and slopes; good for erosion control
As a screen or large hedge
At back of large beds
As an edible plant: All parts are edible: roots,
young shoots & seeds Salty
As a fire-retardant plant
As a great addition to the native habitat garden
http://www.sanjose.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24532&return=s_aQ
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/native_garden_planning-part2.php
© Project SOUND
* Four-wing Saltbush – Atriplex canescens
http://www.perennialfavoritesnursery.com/native_a-f.html© Project SOUND
Saltbushes : Habitat plants par excellance! Foliage
Attract beneficial insects to the garden - lacewings, ladybugs, and hoverflies
Many weird and fun insects – good plants for insect-watching
Attract butterflies (larval food for some sootywing skippers)
Fall/winter/spring browse for deer, elk Dense cover for birds, rabbits, just
about any ground-dweller
Seeds Very nutritious food source – high in
protein Eaten by many creatures (including
humans): don’t fertilize if you plant to eat them – takes up & stores many metals
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/atrlen/plant.jpg
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© Project SOUND
Four-wing Saltbush used extensively in Southwestern As a shrub in commercial plantings
– low maintenance/little water
Excellent water-wise hedge
In plants with a desert plant palette – used like Salvias or Coyote Bush - silvery color
For erosion control
As a fire-retardant plant – with a little summer water
For re-claiming mine tailings & other environmental problems
Also used as dye plant (yellow & ‘Navajo Black’ & medicine (emetic)
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Atriplex&Species=canescens
http://www.delange.org/FourwingSaltbush/FourwingSaltbush.htm © Project SOUND
*Shadscale saltbush – Atriplex confertifolia
Gary A. Monroe, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
W. North America from CA/OR to ND and south to AZ and TX. Greatest concentrations: Great Basin and Colorado Plateau
In CA, widely distributed in salt-desert shrublandsof the Mojave (Lancaster; Barstow) and Great Basin deserts and in pinyon-juniper (Pinus-Juniperus spp.) woodlands, eastern Sierra Nevada
© Project SOUND
*Shadscale saltbush – Atriplex confertifolia
©2009 James M. Andre
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415596
https://plantsofthesouthwest.com/collections/trees-shrubs© Project SOUND
Shadscale is a silvery medium-size shrub Size:
1-3 ft tall 1-3 ft wide
Growth form: Mounded sub-shrub (part-woody);
usually densely branched Partly drought-deciduous Short-lived (10 years)
Foliage: Leaves simple, rounded Silvery green due to excreted
salt crystals Used as salty seasoning; young
foliage as cooked greens
Roots: deep w/ many fine roots
©2012 Jean Pawek
©2012 Neal Kramer ©2015 Steve Matson
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© Project SOUND
Seeds are showier thanthe flowers
Blooms: in spring - usually Apr-Jun in western LA Co.
Flowers: Plants dioecious – separate
male & female plants Both types of flowers are
small, yellow-green and visited by insect pollinators
Seeds: Developing seeds may be
pink in color – very showy Seeds dry to gold; eaten by
birds and animals Seeds are edible
©2015 Steve Matson
http://www.americansouthwest.net/plants/wildflowers/atriplex-confertifolia.html
© Project SOUND
Water-wise and tough plants
Soils: Texture: best in well-drained;
berm in others pH: any local, including alkali
Light: full sun to part-shade
Water: Winter: needs at least 6
inches – supplement if needed Summer: wide range in wilds;
best with occasional summer water (Water Zones 1-2 to 2)
Don’t over-water in summer; susceptible to soil fungal disease
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences
Use a desert mulch: gravel or none
© Project SOUND
Adaptable Shadscale As a silvery accent plant in a water-
wise habitat garden As a formal/semi-formal hedge In a desert-themed garden Around the edges of an edibles or
herb garden As an attractive pot plant
http://chelseanursery.com/?page_id=358
https://plantsofthesouthwest.com/collections/trees-shrubs
Human uses for saltbushes
Edible uses Young foliage as cooked greens Fresh or dried leaves as salty
seasoning Seeds for flavoring or as
pinole Medicinal uses
Poultice from foliage used for muscle pains, chest congestion
Decoction of foliage for respiratory illness
Other uses Hard wood used for arrow
points, tools
© Project SOUND
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© Project SOUND
Pruning Saltbushes - easy
In the wild, are eaten back extensively by deer, elk, rabbits
In the garden, you are the browser – with your pruners
Trim back about 1/3 the length of branches in fall for a neat look don’t cut back into old wood –
prune like a Salvia will rejuvenate the plant
Can also hedge-shear
For best habitat value, leave some branches at the base –i.e., leave it pruned as a shrub
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atriplex_canescens_inflor.jpg
http://allergy.peds.arizona.edu/southwest/grass_weeds/wingscale.htm
Important summer/fall contrasts: dark buckwheat flowers with something light
© Project SOUND
High contrast with white-foliage sunflowers
Lower contrast silvery Salvias and golden grasses
S. CA has many light-foliage plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae)
© Project SOUND
Many also have attractive (and useful) textures
© Project SOUND
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© Project SOUND
Mediterranean plants have other adaptations that make them interesting garden specimens
Further drought-related adaptations that help make silvers hardy in warmer, drier areas include:
Narrow leaves
Ability to roll leaf edges
Finely dissected or lobed leaves
All these adaptations can be used to add textural interest to the garden
© Project SOUND
* Guadalupe Island Rock Daisy – Perityle incana
Nevin’s Wooly Sunflower/Catalina SilverlaceConstancea (Eriophyllum) nevinii
S. Channel Islands (Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, San Clemente Islands).
Recently re-classified as Constancea After Lincoln Constance An expert on plants of the
parsley family 6 decade career in CA botany
and systematics (taxonomy) ‘Lincoln was the patriarch of
botany at UC Berkeley’
Found on rocky coastal bluffs, coastal sage scrub
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Eriophyllum+nevinii
http://www.cnps.org/publications/fremontia/Fremontia_Vol29-No2.pdf
Lincoln Constance
Constancea (Eriophyllum) neviniiCatalina Silverlace
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Catalina Silverlace is satisfyingly simple to grow
Soils: any well-drained Light: full sun to part-shade Nutrients: none needed Water:
low needs; good for water-wise garden
Will take occasional water in summer
Maintenance: Prune back severely in
fall/winter when new growth is beginning to emerge
Uses in the garden
In mixed beds
As a silver-white accent against darker green foliage
In rock gardens – remember, it grows on rocky cliffs
In a ‘silver’ garden
As an informal hedge
In large pots or planters
In a fire-resistant ground cover/shrub
Where ever you would use ‘Dusty Millers’
‘Canyon Silver’ cultivar
Size: slightly more compact
Foliage:
More silver-green; lighter color
Lacier leaves
Flower heads:
larger and held higher above the plant
Slightly flatter
More showy
‘Canyon Silver’
Species
Frost-tender white-foliage plants
When a frost is predicted: Water around the plant the
day before Cover with a loose cover (old
sheet works well)
After frost damage occurs: Resist the urge to prune
immediately: Not all is dead – hard to tell
immediately Dead foliage shields new
growth Prune once new growth is well-
established (takes several months)
© Project SOUND
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© Project SOUND
Leaf hairs or scales reflect the sun’s hot rays, cooling the foliage
Hairy or scaly surfaces also protect leaves from drying winds by helping trap moisture.
Many are desert (or local) species.
Plant names that include tomentosum, pubescens, canescens, villosa, or lanatahave downy leaves
These plants generally fall in the group of brighter, whiter grays.
© Project SOUND
Brittle Bush – Encelia farinosa
© 2008 Scott Millard
© Project SOUND
Desert gardeners love Brittle Bush
Popular in desert landscaping Good choice for mixed dry
borders and rock gardens Does well on dry slopes Good choice for habitat
gardens Good for ‘Evening Garden’
Don’t plant: choose CA Encelia instead Near coast Any area near natural
populations of CA Encelia
http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Encelia_farinosa.html
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/encfar.htm
California Brickelbush - Brickellia californica
© Project SOUND
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© Project SOUND
*Wooly brickellbush – Brickellia incana
©2010 Lee Dittmann
Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of CA, AZ, NV; locally Riverside and San Bernardino Co.
First collected from Providence Mtns (JG Cooper) 1860-61 – named by A. Gray [1868]
MK Brandegee collected - Daggett, Nipton in 1914-15
© Project SOUND
*Wooly brickellbush – Brickellia incana
©2008 Aaron Schusteff
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?BRIN
http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Shrubs/Bricke_inc/_Bri_inc.htm
© Project SOUND
Wooly brickellbush: silvery desert shrub Size:
1-4 ft tall 2-4 ft wide
Growth form: Mostly evergreen sub-shrub Upright to mounded form Foliage usually dense Attractive with just a little water
Foliage: Silvery to white color due dense
hairs (trichomes) Leaves simple, oval
©2010 Lee Dittmann
© Project SOUND
Flowers: typical Brickellbush
Blooms: Anytime from spring to fall, depending on rains, temperatures
Flowers: On white-hairy stems Distinctive silvery bracts
around the flower heads Disk & ray flowers small,
yellow-gold
Seeds: Fluffy seeds are actually more
showy than the flowers Seed-eating birds will eat
©2010 Lee Dittmann
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© Project SOUND
Drought-tolerant Brickellbush
Soils: Texture: well-drained (or plant
on slope of berm) pH: any local
Light: full sun
Water: Winter: needs good winter
rains – at least 10 inches Summer: best with occasional
deep summer water (Water Zone 1-2)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: Shape will likely be better with late fall pruning (as with many drought-tolerant Sunflowers)
© Project SOUND
Shot of silver-white Attractive accent plant in most
local water-wise gardens Looks lovely against evergreen
background plants Good habitat plant Likely candidate for large
containers
©2010 Lee Dittmann
http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Shrubs/Bricke_inc/_Bri_inc.htm https://dryheatblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/its-111-degrees-garden-visit/
Gardens can be enchanting with airy white plants that naturalize
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
White Everlasting – Pseudognaphalium canescens
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© Project SOUND
White everlasting is very easy to grow
Soils: Texture: any pH: any local (5.0-8.0)
Light: Full sun (best) Part-shade – will be more
leggy
Water: Winter: can take short
flooding Summer: very drought
tolerant (Zone 1 to 1-2 best)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
© Project SOUND
White Everlasting is great for an ‘Evening Garden’
Most people include this species as a butterfly plant – larval food for American Lady
Excellent choice for an ‘Evening Garden’ – looks nice during the day but very striking in low-light situations
Makes an attractive pot plant; place where you can watch the butterflies
Let it naturalize to ‘tie the garden together’ with its white foliage
American Lady larva
http://www.theodorepayne.org/plants/plants_for_butterflies.htm
Very few native white shrubs provide both large white leaves and airy stalks
© Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/243--hazardia-detonsa
J.S. Peterson, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
© Project SOUND
Island hazardia – Hazardia detonsa
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Mostly N. Channel Islands; a few specimens from San Clemente Island
Open, rocky hillsides, canyon walls, sea cliffs in coastal scrub, chaparral, pine woodland
First collected by Edward L. Greene, T.S. Brandegee AKA: Island bristleweed Interesting fact: in the Jerusalem Botanic Garden
© Project SOUND
Island hazardia – Hazardia detonsa
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=3184
©2013 James Gonsman
© Project SOUND
Island hazardia: tough, resilient and pretty Size:
3-8 ft tall (usually 3-4) 3-5 ft wide
Growth form: Part-woody sub-shrub; somewhat like
giant buckwheat Fast-growing Upright to mounded; most leaves in
basal rosette, particularly when young
Foliage: Leaves simple, succulent and fairly
large (to 5 ½ inches) White to blue-green color due to
dense trichomes (hairs) Very attractive foliage
©2009 Gary A. Monroe ©2014 Zoya Akulova
© Project SOUND
Flowers typical for Hazardia Blooms: whenever conditions are
right – spring to fall, but more likely summer-fall in garden
Flowers: Small (less than ½ inch) composite
heads – ray & disk flowers Showy white involucral bracts,
flowering stems above the foliage Small flowers golden yellow – may
be tinged with red Attract insect pollinators Hybridizes with other Hazardias
– don’t plant near Preserves
Seeds: small, fluffy seeds – loved by finches
Native sunflowers are easy to grow from seed Collect dry seed when ripe – it will
be blowing or birds eating it.
Plant soon; small seeds lose viability quickly
Any potting soil is fine – may want to add some vermiculite
Surface plant or just barely cover (need light to germinate)
Place in bright shade
Keep medium moist until seedlings are ready to transplant/plant out
© Project SOUND
©2009 Zoya Akulova
http://www.hazmac.biz/080728/080728HazardiaDetonsa.html
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© Project SOUND
Hazardias are not particular Soils:
Texture: most local soils (even clay) but prefers well-drained soils
pH: any local
Light: full sun on coast; part-shade (morning sun) elsewhere.
Water: Winter: needs at least 10
inches Summer: Semi-dry to 1-2 times
per month in summer (Water Zone 1-2 to 2)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; yearly ½ strength dose in containers
Other: remove spent flowering stalks in fall/winter©2014 Steve Matson
© Project SOUND
Silver for the garden Contrast with green foliage associates
like Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) and Brickellia californica
Important plant for ‘Channel island’ theme Can even be grown in large containers
©2015 Robert Sikora
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5314495162_f70a9bcbd9.jpg
Agaves are popular accent plants
© Project SOUND
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/mediterranean-garden/
http://www.bevbeverly.com/agave-garden-design.shtml
Prized for both their unusual shapes and their silvery color
© Project SOUND
Agave attenuata: a Mexican species available in the U.S.
http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/2008/09/30/berkeley-succulent-garden-3/
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© Project SOUND
*Coastal Agave – Agave shawii
© 2005 Vince Scheidt
© Project SOUND
Agave ‘Blue Flame’ Combines the features of its
parent species: A. shawii X A. attenuata
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2871
http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ISI2005/isi/2005-06.html
© Project SOUND
*Desert agave – Agave deserti
©2005 Dee E. Warenycia
Mojave Desert & desert mountains; Imperial, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego Counties
Anza Borrego Desert, Palm desert and on the arroyos below the western slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains. There is also a small concentration at a base level of the Providence Mountains in the Mojave Desert
AKA: Maguey de Desierto; Desert century plant
© Project SOUND
*Desert agave – Agave deserti
Glenn and Martha Vargas © California Academy of Sciences
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101305
http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall00Projects/3Agavedeserti.html
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Native sub-speciesavailable ssp. deserti - south-central CA, Baja
Offsets prolifically; sometimes large colonies.
Pale silvery (or greenish-silver) leaves Typical rosette 2' high and wide; some
larger & hardier forms from San Jacinto Mountains
Easy to grow
ssp. simplex – AZ, mountains of Mojave Desert, CA Usually solitary or produces few
offsets frequently have very strong horizontal
banding on the leaves, a striking feature.
slow grower and appreciates dry, gritty soil and heat. it ought to do well in the Pacific Northwest also.
© Project SOUND©2007 Charles E. Jones © Project SOUND
Showy native agave Size: 1-2 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
Growth form: Evergreen succulent with
typical agave form Leaves, flower stalks edible,
useful (cordage)
Foliage: Silvery or blue-green, sword-
shaped leaves; armed Leaves from basal rosette
©2005 Richard Zmasek
http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/individual/index.php?occid=3195373
© Project SOUND
Flowers: unbelievable
Blooms: usually late spring (June) in Western LA County
Flowers: Plants bloom only after enough
energy stored – 8-20+ years 20 ft flowering stalk – grows
inches per day Showy yellow flowers attract
hummingbirds – desert bat pollinator
Parent plant dies after seeding
Vegetative reproduction: Most commonly available types either sucker or not
©2005 Richard Zmasek
©2005 Dee E. Warenycia
© Project SOUND
Tough desert plant Soils:
Texture: will grow in most – best in well-drained
pH: any local including alkali
Light: full sun; young plants grow to N. of grass nurse plants in wilds
Water: Winter: needs at least 6-8 inches –
supplement if needed Summer: very drought tolerant
(Zone 1 to 1-2 – occasional water to simulate Aug. ‘monsoon’) ; rapid response to rains;
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: No mulch or gravel Low maintenance; carefully remove
dead leaves, plants©2006 J. Zylstra, SBNF
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© Project SOUND
Dramatic Desert agave As a dramatic accent plant –
even in containers Tough, easy groundcover – good
for hot, dry slopes In desert-themed gardens,
rock gardens©2009 Thomas Stoughton
©2014 William Flaxington
http://www.desertnorthwest.com/articles/domestic_agaves.html
Hardscape plays a key role in Mediterranean gardens
© Project SOUND
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534732155736778905/
Agaves & other succulents in containers?
Choose the right plant: small-medium, slow-growing species are easiest
Choose the right container – large and deep (most important)
Choose the right planting medium (based on natural conditions for plant)
Locate in an area that gets some summer shade
Give yearly ½ strength fertilizer
Water: Zone 2 to 3© Project SOUND
Next month we’ll return to container gardening
© Project SOUND
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/227361481166598111/
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© Project SOUND
*Desert holly – Atriplex hymenelytra
Mojave Desert and Sonoran Deserts (CA, AZ, NV, UT, northern Baja CA)
Alkaline locations such as desert dry wash and creosote bush scrub
Usually on hilly and rocky areas and in canyon washes rather than lower playas
© Project SOUND
*Desert holly – Atriplex hymenelytra
©2010 Neal Kramer
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415594
© Project SOUND
Desert holly: dense medium-size shrub Size:
2-3 ft tall 2-3+ ft wide
Growth form: Evergreen shrub/sub-shrub Form: mounded to somewhat
open Slow-growing
Foliage: Silvery white to silver-green Salt excretions produce the
silvery patina Leaves look like holly leaves
Roots: deep if well-established
http://www.werc.usgs.gov/outreach.aspx?RecordID=164
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atriplex_hymenelytra_form.jpg
http://macskamoksha.com/2016/03/ecosystems-risk-4-death-valley© Project SOUND
Seeds are showy
Blooms: winter to early spring: usually Jan-Apr.
Flowers: Plant usually dioecious in wild;
may have both sexes in cultivation
Flowers small, yellow-green, not very visible or remarkable
Seeds: Developing seeds can be
bright pink – attractive Seeds provide food for birds,
small animals. ?Probably high nutrient value.
http://www.werc.usgs.gov/outreach.aspx?RecordID=164
http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/family/amaranthaceae/atriplex_hymenelytra.htm
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© Project SOUND
Harsh desert slopes Soils:
Texture: well-drained; sandy, rocky or gravelly
pH: best with alkali (pH > 7.5); fine with salty soils
Light: full sun
Water: Establishment: needs adequate deep
water for root development Winter: at least 6 inches Summer: best quite dry (give water
in June & August - or just wash off the foliage).
Very drought tolerant once established – needs some stress
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: gravel or no mulch; not cold tolerant
Margaret Williams, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://www.calflora.net/recentfieldtrips/deathvalley12C.html © Project SOUND
Try Desert holly in a container
As an attractive pot plant
Grow with its native associates: Sphaeralcea ambigua, Enceliafarinosa
©2012 Jean Pawek
http://www.desertusa.com/flowers/Desert-Holly.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/21529332@N08/8109508685
Rediscovering Eden: S. California Gardensfor the 21st Century
© Project SOUND
Beautiful gardens rely on planned contrasts
© Project SOUND
https://sissinghurstcastle.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/researching-the-white-garden/the-same-statue-and-pear-tree-later-in-the-20th-century/#main
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Dark colors ‘recede’; light colors ‘advance’
© Project SOUNDhttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/259449628502874271/
© Project SOUND
Classic English ‘White Gardens’ suggest ways to
use white in the garden
White flowers, foliage, even white barked trees can be used as an accent, against darker green foliage
Plants with white flowers/ foliage can be used to ‘unify’ plants with varying flower colors
White/silver plants can be combined in a garden area that features white plants –the ‘white garden’ or ‘evening garden’.
http://www.friendsschoolplantsale.com/page/2/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robroy/977716219/
Some of the easiest contrasts to work with (in S. CA gardens) are those
involving foliage
© Project SOUND
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/152559506104712395/
Two concepts important for designing with light-colored foliage:
1. How much contrast is there between light and dark?
2. Is the lighter foliage ‘cool’ in tone (blue-green), ‘warm’ (silvery-green; silver/gold) or neutral (bright white; neutral gray)
© Project SOUND
warm cool
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Secrets of Mediterranean gardens
© Project SOUND
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/522206519262061613/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38632509282381226/
Moderate contrast – fewer darks Mix of warm and cool silvers – but often more warm Use of mulch – usually light colored – and other
hardscape as design elements
Where do S. California native plants fit?
© Project SOUND
Fortunately, S. CA native plants give us plenty of silvery foliage to work with
© Project SOUND
2017 Season – Small is Beautiful: Native Habitats in Smaller Gardens
© Project SOUND