PLANT FORUM: At The May 2026 Meeting
- Jun 1
- 16 min read
By Susi Torre-Bueno, for Let’s Talk Plants! June 2026.
For over two decades a meeting highlight was the Plant Forum, where a horticultural expert spoke about plants brought in by members. These descriptions appeared in the newsletter and are available free to the public on our website at https://sdhort.org/PlantForum. This is an alphabetical listing of the over 7500 plants which were displayed at meetings, including over 1600 detailed descriptions. Check it out when thinking about plants to add to your garden, and feel free to share this link with your friends.
After a few years on hiatus the Plant Forum is back, and we encourage all members to share some plants at the meetings. I can guarantee there will be members who will have not grown, and might not have ever seen, at least one plant from your garden.
All you have to do is:
1) Bring a cutting or potted plant to a meeting.
2) BEFORE you leave home, take a minute to fill out a slip of paper with the common and scientific name of the plant, where it is native to (if you know that), what city it is growing in, your name, and a couple of sentences about your experience with the plant.
Although I’m no expert I will do my best to talk about the plants I’m familiar with and will get help from other attendees. At the end of the meeting, we will gather up the printed information and include it in the next newsletter. If you have any questions, contact Susi Torre-Bueno at storrebueno@cox.net.
I want to thank the members who bring in plants for the Plant Forum and then donate these cuttings for other members to take home.
Bougainvillea ‘Pixie Queen’ SHRUB BOUGAINVILLEA
(Nyctaginaceae) Horticultural Hybrid
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Tom Piergrossi: “A shrubby thornless bougainvillea to 10ʹ tall with an arching habit. Needs full sun to bloom well. Keep dry to encourage more bloom. It makes a beautiful espalier or free-standing shrub. Showy, colorful, soft red bracts are produced at the tips. This form has great variegation.” From a 2” plant purchased in 2008, this has grown to about 5-6’ tall and wide and blooms virtually non-stop in nearly full sun with very little water.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) - T.P.
Bougainvillea ‘Bengal Orange’
(Nyctaginaceae) Horticultural Hybrid
From a 2-gallon plant purchased in 2018 this has grown to about 3’ tall and 6-8’ wide. It has pinkish-orange flowers nearly all year, nicely variegated foliage, and is almost thornless. Grown in full sun with very low water.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) - S.T-B.
Buddleja cv. or sp. SILVER BUTTERFLY BUSH
(Loganiaceae)
There are dozens of species of Buddleja, and many of them do well in our climate. The colors range from white to dark violet, depending on the variety, and many are evergreen here. In general they do well planted in sun to light shade, and prefer moderate watering. One potential problem is the tendency of some species to self-seed, but seedlings should be easy to remove early on and can be shared with friends. Some buddleja flowers have a lovely scent, and as the common name implies, they attract butterflies. I recommend purchasing your plant in bloom to be sure of the flower color.
(Donna Mallen, Chula Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Buddleja tucumanensis YURAK-WASA, YURAYURAJ
(Scrophulariaceae) Bolivia, Argentina
This evergreen shrub was grown from seeds purchased from J. L. Hudson, Seedsman and started in December 2021. Planted in full sun to nearly full sun in the garden in January, 2023, it began blooming in March 2023, and has bloomed prolifically since then. It gets very little water. From the Almost Eden website: “This RARE and hard to find semi-deciduous butterfly bush hails from Bolivia and Argentina. Growing quickly to 6-9’ tall and 6’ wide, it produces a thicket of attractively olive green, elliptical leaves to 3-4” in length. Stems and undersides of leaves are covered in downy white hairs. From late Spring thru Fall, plants produce spherical clusters of fuzzy buds along the branches that open to vivid golden-orange flowers. Though each flower is only .25” they are produced in great numbers and are subtly sweet scented.” From the Sacred succulents website: “Lovely shrub to 5–8′ tall. Downy, silver-grey, lanceolate leaves 4–8″ long with a refreshing fruity-citrus scent. Terminal spikes of rounded, yellow and orange flower clusters, sweetly perfumed. Growing on dry hillsides .... The essential oil of the leaves has shown insecticidal activity and is made up of 28 components including thujene, pinene, limonene, bergamotene, etc. We are pleased to introduce this unique aromatic species into cultivation. Should tolerate some drought.”
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.T-B.
Cordia boissieri TEXAS OLIVE
(Boraginaceae) New Mexico, Texas, Mexico
[KOR-dee-uh boy-see-AIR-eye Cordia is named in honor of Euricius Cordus (1486-1535) and his son Valerius (1515-1544), both of whom were German botanists; boissier honors Edmond Boissier, a famous 19th century Swiss botanist.]
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Steve Brigham: “This heat-loving large shrub or small tree grows slowly to 12’ tall, sometimes more with age. In summer and fall it produces showy clusters of 2- 1/2" white flowers with yellow throats. Velvety gray-green oval leaves are up to 5" long; plants are evergreen in mild climates but may be deciduous with frost. Drought tolerant, but does best with some summer water; cold-hardy to around 20°F.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.B.
Dais cotinifolia POMPOM TREE
(Thymelaeaceae) S. Africa
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), “Pronounced with two separate syllables, Dais is a delightful small-scale tree growing 8–20 feet tall, or if well pruned is a small to medium sized shrub. It is indigenous to the eastern Cape region of S. Africa up to Natal and the northern Transvaal. Every garden in coastal Southern California should have at least one Pompom Tree as it is very attractive when covered with its loose balls or spherical pompoms of shell pink to pinkish-mauve tubular flowers that have starry-tipped slightly recurved petals. These massed flowers make an impressive show in early summer, and when in bloom will always be the focal point of the garden. If there is any drawback to Dais, it is that these floral heads persist in the manner of the pink ball tree, Dombeya wallichii—the old blossoms hang on after fading. Although it will withstand moderate frost, Dais is best grown in a frost-free sunny location. Heat resistant when given ample water (a requirement) the tree does very well planted along hot paved areas, such as parking lots. Its nonaggressive root system makes it ideal to plant against walls and in small spaces close to buildings and foundations. This tree does particularly well on sunny south and southwestern walls, where the heat brings out prolific flowering. Dais reacts well to heavy pruning and can be shaped into bushy shrubs or standards, and would be a good candidate for an espalier (trellis). Makes an ideal container plant for the sunny patio and as an additional quality, flower stems can be cut and last well as a vase flower indoors. What else could you ask for!” The plant displayed was grown from a 6” potted cutting in 2012 and quickly grew to about 12-15’ tall. Grown in full sun with very little water. So far it has been completely pest-free, and the sweetly-scented flowers can be noticed many feet away.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.T-B.
Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ PURPLE HOP BUSH
(Sapindaceae) Horticultural Sport
This lovely small tree with bronzy colored foliage originated from plants from Mexico and the southwestern U.S. Starting in 2007 I have planted over 22 of these drought-tolerant beauties, which are excellent for giving privacy along our property line and adding evergreen color to the garden. In my garden it has re-seeded gently, and I either discard unwanted seedlings or pot them up, grow them to about 2’ tall, and transplant elsewhere in my garden.
From San Marcos Growers (https://www.smgrowers.com):
“This rapid growing, evergreen shrub reaches 12 to 20+ feet tall and about as wide - more upright when young - spreading out with age. Narrow bronzy-green 4 inch long leaves turn purple with cooler weather. Tiny green flowers in clusters mid-summer followed by brown maple-like seed capsules in late summer. Tolerates some shade but color is better if grown in full sun. Provide a well-draining soil where it is drought tolerant once established but looks best with occasional deep water. We have listed this plant as cold hardy to about 10-15° F but were recently notified of a young planting that succumbed after temperatures reached 16° F in Los Alamos, California during the January 2007 freeze. It is an ideal plant for use as a specimen or as an informal hedge or screen. Prune for structure in fall and winter and is also tolerant of lighter shearing during the growing season. This species has an incredibly wide cosmopolitan distribution - it is considered native throughout the southwest US and northern Mexico but varieties and subspecies are found throughout the tropics and sub-tropics including Hawaii, New Zealand and all of Australian states and territories, where it grows in a wide range of habitats. The name of the genus honors Rembert Dodoens, a 16th Century Flemish botanist and the specific epithet is from the Latin word 'viscosus' meaning sticky in reference to the sometimes sticky leaves. According to Lawrence Metcalf in his The Cultivation of New Zealand Trees and Shrubs (Reed Methuen Publishers, 1987), this 'Purpurea' selection was discovered in the early 1890s by Mrs Thomas Wilkins, a keen eyed gardener who found it growing along the Wairau River near Marlborough, located near the northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand. She collected seeds of the plant and grew it in her garden until a Christchurch nurseryman acquired seed and introduced it into the New Zealand nursery trade where it was called Purple Ake Ake. It is considered a color-sport that sporadically occurs in wild populations and can also revert to green. Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea' is still often produced from seed in the nursery trade but resulting plants progeny often range in color from greenish bronze, through red and purple to dark purple.”
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Eremophila maculata 'Aurea' GOLDEN EMU BUSH
(Scrophulariaceae) Australia
From the Plantmark website (an Australian company): “Dense, native shrub usually growing to between 1- 2.5m tall and up to 2m wide. Tubular yellow flowers with a pale, spotted throat are produced from winter to early summer. These are full of nectar and provide a valuable food source for honeyeating birds. Well suited to low rainfall dry areas and tolerates humidity. Very low maintenance shrub once established.” In my Vista garden this gets very Little water and is attractive all year.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Foeniculum vulgare FENNEL
(Apiaceae [Umbelliferae] Mediterranean
Described in the December, 2025 newsletter.
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – K.E.
Geranium maderense
(Geraniaceae) Madeira
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Steve Brigham: “Certainly the most stunning of any species geranium in bloom, this subtropical biennial (or triennial) takes the form of a giant 3 foot rosette of large dissected palmate leaves. In sun or part shade, it is topped in spring with a massive 2 by 2 foot bouquet of many orchid-pink flowers. After bloom, it will set seed, then die, usually leaving many seedlings for future bloom in two or three years. Absolutely spectacular in bloom, but intolerant of heavy frost.
(Donna Mallen, Chula Vista, 5/26) – S.B.
—S.B.
Iochroma fuchsioides RED IOCHROMA
(Solanaceae) Andes Mountains
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Steve Brigham: “This medium-sized evergreen shrub is unusual in its genus in that it has bright orange flowers. These 3-inch-long tubular flowers are produced in huge showy clusters throughout the year, and show up well against the large dark-green tropical-looking leaves. Best in part shade inland (full sun or part shade near the coast), the plant grows quickly to around 6 by 6 feet, or perhaps larger in favorable sites. Protect from hard frosts and water regularly. Originally obtained from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA.” Planted from a 1-gallon pot in 2008, the plant displayed has been in nearly continuous bloom for the last 18 years.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 5/26) —S.B.
Justicia carnea BRAZILIAN PLUME FLOWER
(Acanthaceae) Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Adapted from the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Steve Brigham: “This pink-flowered plant also known as Jacobinia is a 4’-6’ foot shrub with lighter green foliage and requires some feeding to look its best. Large showy clusters of tubular flowers appear in spring and fall. Part to full shade, regular watering, hardy to 25 °F, but will recover from frost.”
(Donna Mallen, Chula Vista, 5/26) – S.B.
Lavandula x heterophylla SWEET LAVENDER
(Lamiaceae (Labiatae)) Mediterranean
From the San Marcos Growers website: “An upright-growing dense shrub that grows to 4 to 5+ feet tall by as wide or wider with olive green narrow 3/4 inch long leaves and with spikes that rise one to two feet above foliage of dark violet-blue flowers arranged in whorls on the slender peduncles. Flowers are aromatic as is the foliage, which is somewhat reminiscent of cedar pencil shavings. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to very infrequently. This is a drought tolerant species that is hardy to at least 20° F. An extremely durable and drought tolerant shrub with flowers that attract bees and other pollinators but is not recommended for human consumption. While not as sweet a fragrance as other lavenders, we consider this variety to be the most durable lavender that we grow.”
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Parkinsonia x ‘Desert Museum’ DESERT MUSEUM PALO VERDE
(Fabaceae) Southwestern U.S., and Mexico
From the Mountain States Wholesale Nursery website: “This hybrid is three way cross between Parkinsonia microphylla, P. florida, and P. aculeata. Thornless, fast-growing and upright, this tree is a popular choice for parking lots and streetscapes. The small compound leaves and smooth bark are lime green. Masses of yellow flowers are produced from March through May, with sporadic flowering during the summer months. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, and be careful not to overwater.” The specimen displayed was selected by garden designer Greg Rubin and planted from a 15-gal container in 2007. It is now about 20’ wide and 15’ tall, and thrives on almost no water.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.T-B.
Phlomis purpurea PINK JERUSALEM SAGE
(Lamiaceae (Labiatae)) So. Portugal, So. Spain and Morocco
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum), description by Susi Torre-Bueno: “This evergreen long-blooming Mediterranean shrub is water-thrifty, too, and grows to 4-6ʹ′ tall and about as wide. It does best in full sun with good drainage, and has gray-green fragrant foliage. The pink tubular flowers appear in whorls over a long spring to fall season, making a dramatic statement in the garden.” Deer and rabbit resistant.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Quercus suber CORK OAK
(Fagaceae) Southwest Europe and Northwest Africa
From Wikipedia: “Quercus suber, commonly called the cork oak, is a medium-sized, evergreen oak tree in the section Quercus sect. Cerris. It is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers and other uses, such as cork flooring and as the cores of cricket balls. It is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. In the Mediterranean basin the tree is an ancient species with fossil remnants dating back to the Tertiary period. It can survive for as long as two centuries. Typically, once it reaches 25 years old, its thick bark can be harvested for cork every 9 to 12 years without causing harm to the tree. It endures drought and makes little demand on the soil quality and is regarded as a defense against desertification. Cork oak woodlands are home to a multitude of animal and plant species. Since cork for sealing bottles is increasingly being displaced by other materials, these forests are at risk as part of the cultural landscape and as a result animal species such as the Iberian lynx and imperial eagles are threatened with extinction.” Locally, you can see cork oaks at the San Diego Botanic Garden near the gift shop.
(anonymous member, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Rosa ‘First Prize’
(Rosaceae) Hybrid
1970 parentage: Enchantment seedling x Golden Masterpiece seedling
From the Grace Rose website: “First Prize is a hybrid tea rose introduced in the U.S. by Jackson & Perkins (USA) in 1970. Its classic exhibition blooms are among the largest of any rose, opening 6–7″ wide with over 40 petals. The flowers emerge soft pink with deeper rose edges, high-centered and elegant on long stems, making them a favorite for both garden show and cutting. Repeat blooms carry a light, sweet fragrance throughout the season on a tall, vigorous plant.”
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Rosmarinus officinalis ROSEMARY
(Lamiaceae) Hybrid
From Wikipedia: “Salvia rosmarinus, synonym Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and purple or sometimes white, pink, or blue flowers. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The species is native to the Mediterranean region. It has numerous cultivars, and its leaves are commonly used as a flavoring. Rosemary has a fibrous root system. It forms an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar to Tsuga needles. Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach between 4–6 ft tall. The leaves are evergreen, 3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in long and 1⁄16–3⁄16 in broad, green above, and white below, with dense, short, woolly hair. The plant flowers in spring and summer in temperate climates but may be in constant bloom in warm climates; flowers are white, pink, purple, or deep blue. The branches are dotted with groups of 2 to 3 flowers down their length. Rosemary also tends to flower outside its normal flowering season; it has been known to flower as late as early December and as early as mid-February (in the Northern Hemisphere). The plant can live as long as 35 years.” There is some controversy about the scientific name, and Karen wrote: “Note – Karen is not, bears repeating, NOT, renaming rosemary even though DND puts it in the salvia genus. A Google search compiles some reasons thusly: ‘The decision to not rename rosemary despite DNA evidence placing It in the salvia genus is a complex process that involves careful consideration of common usage, strict nomenclatural rules, and the impact on the plant’s identity. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has accepted the inclusion of Rosmarinus in the genus Salvia, and this change has been reflected in the RHS Plant Finder 2020. However, the name change has not been universally adopted, and many gardeners and nurseries continue to use the old name ‘Rosmarinus offininalis’ for rosemary. This reflects the ongoing debate and the slow adoption of new taxonomic classifications in the horticultural world.’”
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – S.T-B.
Salvia apiana WHITE SAGE
(Lamiaceae) S Calif., N Baja Calif.
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) - Description Steve Brigham: “ This fairly common foothill and mountain resident is remarkable not only botanically but also for its role in human rituals. It is a drought-tolerant 3–4 foot shrub with very tall spikes of small flowers that rise well above the plants to attract hummingbirds. The white foliage is ornamental at all seasons, and it is also pungently aromatic. (Crush a leaf on your next hiking trip—better yet, sample a few different plants and you’ll see that some are more pungent than others.) This is the sage that local Native Americans used and use in sweat lodges and for other ceremonies. Dried leaves are rolled into a big cigar-like shape and burned like incense any time it is appropriate to facilitate spiritual cleansing, focus, and contemplation. And so, this is a good plant to have around!”
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – S.B.
Salvia clevelandii CLEVELAND SAGE
(Lamiaceae) S. Calif., Baja Calif.
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) - Description by Tom Piergrossi: “One of our native sages, very popular and with good reason. It’s drought tolerant, needs little care, blooms heavily in spring and summer with light blue flowers, and has very aromatic foliage in the most subtle gray-green. It grows to about 4 feet tall and wide, requires full sun and good drainage and while it will look great even with no summer water it also tolerates being grown in a mixed garden. I prune mine back about a third in the summer to keep it neat. Eventually the plant can get old and woody and needs to be replaced, but young replacements grow quickly and can be grown from cuttings. Many named varieties exist as do hybrids. ‘Winifred Gilman’ is one of my favorites, blooming a little later with violet blue flowers and with a little greener foliage.” Pat Pawlowski showed this plant 5/26 and noted: “San Diego County native. Grown slightly east of Vista in full sun. Recently, a large, beautiful bumblebee was snacking on the nectar of this sage. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other bee species also like the nectar.”
(Pat Pawlowski, Vista, 4/26; Karen England, Vista, 5/26) —T.P
Tecoma stans ‘Bells of Fire’ BELLS OF FIRE TECOMA
(Bignoniaceae) Horticultural Hybrid
From the Plant Addicts website: “A stunning shrub that is easy to grow! The Bells of Fire Tecoma is a compact version that produces red-orange trumpet like blooms. Bloom season is generous, lasting from spring until frost. It is easy to grow, it is self-cleaning, and loves the sun! The foliage is green and upright, a larger fern appearance. The blooms are a fire red- orange, trumpet shaped and last from spring till the first frost. It has a compact habit and will fit in anywhere sunny you decide to plant it. The Bells of Fire Tecoma grows to be four to six feet tall and three to four feet wide. It brings butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Uses include border planting, mass planting, planting as a hedge, and looks great in containers! This is a sun loving plant. It prefers to be planted in full sun but will tolerate small amounts of shade. It will grow easily in well drained soil that is fertile. Water needs are average. After the Bells of Fire Tecoma is established, it can tolerate dry conditions. Fertilizer should be applied during the spring. Pruning and trimming should be done in the early spring. Deadheading is not necessary to promote rebloom.”
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.T-B.
Vitex agnus-castus CHASTE TREE, CHASTEBERRY, LILAC CHASTETREE, MONK'S PEPPER, TEXAS lilac
(Lamiaceae) So. Europe
Described in the August, 2025 newsletter.
(Karen England, Vista, 5/26) – K.E.
Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' ARABIAN LILAC
(Lamiaceae (Labiatae)) Horticultural Hybrid (species native to Australia)
From the San Marcos Growers website: “A very fast growing evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree to 10 to 15 feet tall by as wide with distinctively colored leaves sometimes, but not always divided into three elliptical leaflets that are a gray-green on the upper surface but upturned to display the showy velvety purple below. The leaves give off a peppery scent when crushed and drop as they age as fresh new ones emerge. This plant can go deciduous after a cold frost but it leafs back out rapidly. In summer through fall into winter (seemingly year-round here in Santa Barbara) appear the delicate small lavender purple flowers in 10 inch long panicles at the branch tips followed by small rounded berries that are first a pale yellow but darken with age. Plant in full to part sun and give occasional irrigation - fairly drought tolerant along the coast once established but may require more water inland. Evergreen to around 28°F, stem hardy to around 25°F and root hardy to at least to 20 °F so useful in USDA zones 9 and above but also grown as an annual or protected perennial in other areas of the county. It is also tolerant of windy conditions and inland heat. Arabian Lilac is an attractive and durable specimen shrub, informal large hedge, small tree or decorative container plant that looks great year round and attracts butterflies and honeybees to the garden. It grows fast and gets big so give substantial room and trim back occasionally to promote flushes of new growth.” In my Vista garden I have about 8 of these hardy evergreen shrubs planted in full sun to very light shade, and they all do remarkably well with very little water. Mine have never been bothered by any pests, and the foliage is gorgeous, especially when viewed from below so you see the striking violet undersides of the leaves.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 4/26) – S.T-B.
