By Sherrill Leist and Lisa Marun.
What is the Plant Display?
Each month, members bring in plants, cuttings, or flowers and put them in blue bottles on our display tables at the monthly meeting. What a great way to see which plants grow well in our area. EVERYONE is invited to participate. All plants are welcome. Write descriptions similar to those below and put them with your plant(s).
Join the fun and bring something to the next meeting. We thank those people who brought in plants to show to other members.
Available FREE on our website:
All 22 years worth of plant descriptions!
Ceanothus spp. CALIFORNIA LILAC (Rhamnaceae) California
Three varieties of this hybrid with dark green leaves and bright blue flowers were presented. ‘Yankee Point’ (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Yankee Point') is a low-rowing ground cover that, according to San Marcos Growers, is “By far, the most commonly planted selection of [Ceanothus] in California.” It is fast-growing and “reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads 8 to 12 or more feet wide.” ‘Concha’ is a popular, easy-to-grow six to eight foot tall shrub that is drought-tolerant. With proper care, this plant will reward you with 25-year lifespan or more. ‘Wheeler Canyon’ is a compact four to six foot version of ‘Concha’, but it can quickly sprawl and get woody. Regular light fall pruning can help control its spread. (Jason Chen, Del Mar, 4/17) – S.L. & L.M.
Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’ PRIDE OF GIBRALTAR, HONEYWORT, BLUE SHRIMP PLANT (Boraginaceae) Mediterranean Region
This Mediterranean cultivar is an annual easily grown from seed (these are from Renee’s Garden Seeds). Its honey-like scent attracts bees to its small, deep-purple bracts that resemble bells and it has grayish-green eucalyptus-like leaves. The plant does best in full sun or partial shade and is generally happy in a variety of soils. (Sue Martin, Point Loma, 4/17) – S.L. & L.M.
x Chiranthofremontia lenzii MONKEY HAND TREE (Malvaceae) Hybrid
This hybrid between Fremontodendron and Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Mexican hand tree) was created by a California nurseryman. The leaves are lobed and hairy and the impressive three-inch blooms are yellow-orange star-shaped cups with tiny brown fuzz on the exterior. The cups open to reveal a “monkey claw”—five stamens attached at the interior base that look like they’re standing up and waving. The grows to about feet high and, under ideal conditions, lives fifty years. (Jim Bishop, San Diego, 4/17) – S.L. & L.M.
Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ (Proteaceae) Australia
This fast growing shrub generally reaches ten to fifteen feet tall and is thought to be a hybrid of G. longifolia x G. tetragonoloba. The cultivar blooms throughout the year with bright red three-inch horizontal strips of hooks and look their best in late winter and early spring. Nectar feeding birds are attracted to the red hooks and the cut foliage is popular for floral arrangements. The plant is ideal for use as a screen/hedge or in the landscape. Once established, it needs little irrigation. (Jim Bishop, San Diego, 4/17) – S.L. & L.M.
Leucospermum cordifolium ‘High Gold’ YELLOW PINCUSHION FLOWER (Proteaceae) South Africa
This full sun, low water mounding shrub grows to five feet and spreads over six feet. It is recognized in spring by its bright yellow dome pincushions that last well as cut blooms. It is drought tolerant but not cold hardy. The plant was first hybridized in San Diego as an improvement on Leucospermum cordifolium ‘High Bird’ (Nameless donor, 4/17) – S.L. & L.M.