Winter/Spring 2009 the Mediterranean Collection
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NEWSLETTER Vol. 34, Numbers 1 & 2 Published by the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL GARDEN at Berkeley Winter/Spring 2009 The Mediterranean Collection stroll through the Mediterranean Collection will Atlantic trade winds bring a higher amount of cloud and rainfall reveal a diverse assemblage of plants from the host of to northern slopes of the Azores and Madeira. This assortment Acountries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, from of climatic nuances provides a greater scope to what we call a Spain to Israel and Morocco to Tunisia. You will also find plants Mediterranean climate and, in turn, furnish us with a wealth of from further a field--Iran, Portugal, Slovenia and Macaronesia habitats to represent. We are developing some of these habitats, (island archipelagos in the northern Atlantic, including the including maquis, garrigue, mixed deciduous woods and Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde). Macaronesian elements. With such a range of countries spread across latitude The maquis flora, similar to Californian chaparral, and longitude comes a range of environments and plant species. consists of mostly evergreen, hard-leafed shrubs and small The plants you see on trees, which once this stroll arrived at our established form a Garden predominantly dense mass. This as seed. The seed is Photo by Colin Baxter maquis habitat proved collected from the wild an invaluable cover for and shared with the the movements of the Garden through other French resistance of botanical institutions, World War II, whose universities and, to a members eventually lesser degree, private took on the name sources. Most of the seed “The Maquis.” offered is part of a global Some plants seed exchange protocol from our maquis area for botanical gardens. are oak (Quercus), For the most madrone (Arbutus), part seed was collected juniper (Juniperus), from areas with similar olive (Olea), climatic conditions to Asparagus, and rock- Berkeley’s Mediterranean Early spring in the Mediterranean Collection. rose (Cistus), an often climate, but there are used shrub in the San influences from other climatic zones. For example, Greece’s Francisco Bay Area. These plants are well adapted to our lengthy Pindos Mountains cause rainfall variations and cold air currents; summer drought. Israel is influenced by close proximity to large desert areas such The garrigue is characterized by low growing shrubs, as the Negev to the south and Judean Desert to the east; the annuals and bulbs. In late winter, spring, and early summer in Western Saharan winds blow across the islands of Lanzarote and our milder climate, look for a mass of bloom and new growth, as Fuerteventura, part of the Canary Island archipelago; and the this is the peak time for the garrigue. The plants make the most 2 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley Mediterranean (continued from page 1) of being charged with the winter rains, for later in the season concentrates on as the ground dries out and temperatures increase, annuals will an arid, open go to seed and die down, bulbs will go dormant and all those scrubland and a plants with water saving adaptations like summer leaf drop, moist, shadier Photo by Janet Williams forest community. The arid area includes plants like Photo by Colin Baxter the giant dandelion Sonchus, which can grow up to six feet, many species Jerusalem sage (Phlomis purpurea) of the succulent flowers in summer. Aeonium that do well in the SF Bay Area, and a lone Dracaena draco, the dragon tree with orange sap. The shadier section contains elements of the laurel forests of Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, such as holly (Ilex canariensis), Viburnum, Isoplexis canariensis, and the Canary Island bellflower (Canarina canariensis). The mixed deciduous woodland provides a cool, green shaded retreat for those hot summer days as well as fine views across the Garden and to San Francisco Bay. Look for some of the deciduous Mediterraean trees like maples (Acer), hazelnut (Corylus) and an alder (Alnus) from Cyprus. Layered amongst these deciduous elements are evergreen shrubs like Phillyrea or Erica, and a shade and drought tolerant shrub, butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus), that bears its flowers on the middle of a cladode, a leaf-like stem. A peony (Paeonia broteri) from Spain provides magenta flowers in spring and hellebore a mass of pale green flowers through winter and spring. Galanthus elwesii is a spring blooming geophyte from Turkey. Next time you visit the Garden, I encourage you to corrugated leaves, pubescent/silver/grey/resinous leaf and stem include a stroll in the Mediterranean Collection to enjoy the coatings, will come into their own. Some plants to look for are flush of early to mid-season flowers, summer season scents and thyme (Thymus), oregano (Origanum), Salvia, and Phlomis, and parched seed heads with the birds they attract. geophytes such as Iris and Crocus. Many of these waterwise —Colin Baxter plants are suitable for the home garden, and can be found in the Garden’s Waterwise Gardening Tour book. Bird Watch Redwood Water Tanks The Macaronesian area consists of plants mainly from Where the Garden meets the The water tanks were set up in this the Canary Islands and Madeira. Seed recently arrived from perimeter fence is a fine area area in the 1920’s for trial/research the Cape Verde Archipelago raises the potential to see the rare to view birds moving from the projects and for the Rhododendron Aeonium gorgoneum in the future. The Macaronesian flora has wild area into the Garden, like plantings. Water was initially links to the Mediterranean flora, and it is interesting to note that Chestnut-backed Chickadees pumped from a Strawberry 20 million year old fossils found in the Mediterranean region are feeding on the leaf miners on Canyon catchment pond to the from laurel forest species now only found in the Azores, Madeira the alders or a swiftly gliding 32,500 gallon tanks. The redwood and the Canary Islands. Also, the more arid-adapted plants of Cooper’s Hawk. A native gray planks are 3 inches thick and up Macaronesia have close relatives on the African continent. fox can some times be found in to 7 inches wide. Today the tanks Due to variable topography and weather patterns, this area too. are connected to our main water microclimates are common within the various island systems. supply and are a backup supply This has given rise to different plant communities. Our collection for the collections and nursery. Winter / Spring 2009 3 Mediterranean Plants for Your Garden he Volunteer Propagation Program is producing a a look at Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) with its variety of Mediterranean perennials that make nice chartreuse flowers. Tgarden additions. Generally, they like sunny locations Jerusalem sages (Phlomis) are drought resistant and and will grow in most soil types hardy. The genus belongs to the but prefer a well draining mix. mint family (Lamiaceae) and Once established, they are drought . .start a Mediterranean garden, is well suited to our California resistant and easy to grow. As a climate. They will thrive in bonus, many are floriferous and or add some Mediterranean plants warm, sunny sites and dry have a long blooming season. Here woodland edges. Phlomis aurea are just a few of our offerings: to your drought-resistant plantings. has gold-tinged, downy leaves The spring blooms of and beautiful gold blooms. thrift (Armeria pseudoarmeria) are delightful tufts of pink Phlomis lychnitis has bright yellow flowers, and Phlomis flowers on 18 inch stems. This plant is very drought tolerant and purpurea has lavender flowers and grayish-green foliage. does especially well in rock gardens. We encourage you to start a Mediterranean garden, The Canary Island bellflower (Canarina canariensis) or add some Mediterranean plants to your drought-resistant is a very worthy plant for the garden with its showy, large plantings. We have a super selection and quite a few are rarely found in the nursery trade. Our staff is always willing to provide expert advice. —Bryan Gim Photo by Janet Williams Photo by Janet Williams Canary Island bellflower (Canarina canariensis) bell shaped bright orange to orange red pendulous flowers. Its beautiful blue-green foliage and long blooming season make it a winner. Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) We offer a variety of rock-roses (Cistus). These sun- loving plants thrive in dry rocky soils. They’ll reward you with a profusion of rose-like blooms over a 2-3 month period. We have available the pink rock-rose (Cistus incanus), the white-flowered Montpelier rock-rose (Cistus monspeliensis), and the small- Photo by Janet Williams flowered Cistus parviflorus. All make magnificent and hardy additions to the garden. Try hellebores for their winter blooms and color. They are hardy and make perfect additions to that semi-shady spot in your garden. We have both species and cultivars available that flower in a variety of shades. Try Helleborus ‘Regal Ruffles’ with its sturdy, deep-green foliage and its double blossoms in a rich variety of colors. Or, for something a bit more subtle, take Rock-rose (Cistus monspeliensis) 4 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley DIRECTOR’S COLUMN uch has transpired in the Eastern Cape cycads, and a field of Australian cycads amidst world and Garden since our waving native grasses, as well as the conversion of our Mlast Newsletter. The Garden entranceway from an asphalt parking lot into a showcase has not been untouched by the current waterwise collection. I am finding it increasingly difficult to unprecedented economic problems. convince visitors of the youth of these plantings, a testimony However, I am especially encouraged to the skills of our horticultural staff. by the continued interest in our regular As a departure from our otherwise naturalistic emphasis plant sales.