Highlighted shrubs and Trees for April 8, 2020
Here are five of my favorite shrubs available this week from Xera Plants. Please post questions in the comments.
Paul.
Argyrocytisus battandieri
Moroccan Pineaple Bloom
Not easy to find this is a cool shrub for hot dry locations and average soil with little water once established. Large deep green trifoliate leaves are frosted in silver. In late spring to summer. cones of brilliant yellow pea flowers emit a sweet salty pineapple perfume. Fast growing 2′-4′ per year when young. Avoid over improved soils- which leads to unsteady prodigious growth. Blooms on wood from the previous season, prune immediately after blooming has ended. Once listed as Cytisus – same genus as Cytisus scoparius Scotch Broom. Though this in no way is invasive. Zone 6b (-5ºF).
Manzanita of the week:
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis ‘Myrtle Wolf’
Exquisite winter blooming medium sized manzanita. In December ‘Myrtle’ Erupts in waves of deep pink flowers that are not only immensely showy but a beacon to over wintering Anna’s Hummingbirds. The pink urn shaped flowers glow against distinctly blue foliage. To 4′ x 4′ in 5 years for full sun to very light shade and little H20 when established. Following bloom, new spring growth is briefly tinted orange/red before settling to a soft blue/green. Fast growing to its ultimate size. Bark is shredded and cinnamon colored. This Manzanita often gets over looked as it is often ready for sale but not during its bloom season. Get a head start on your winter garden. Now is the time to a lot space for those plants.
Shrubby Hare’s Ear
Dill Shrub
Bupleurum fruticosum.
A wonderful sophisticated design shrub that instantly makes a planting look more sophisticated. This drought adapted shrub in the carrot family has evergreen foliage much like a Euphorbia. Native around the Mediterranean sea. The large gold/ chartreuse umbels of flowers not only last a long time- they are affective through summer they attract a sophisticated set of pollinators. To 5′ x 5′ tall for full sun to the very lightest shade. Cut back almost to the ground in early spring. Blooms on new growth. Difficult plant to find int he trade. Looks fantastic with purple lavender and blue catmint for a low water triple of love.
Snow Gum Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. niphophila
This is a fantastic urban tree. Most often it grows with 1-3 trunks very, very quickly to its ultimate height in the 30′-35′ range. Over time its trunk swells and exfoliates the glossy bark in patches. Green, copper, light tan trunks are especially showy in the dead of winter. Well adapted to ice and snow- bending and rebounding quickly. This strain is hardy to approximately 0ºF. Surprisingly good shade tree for small city lots. White flowers winter/spring.
‘Xera Sphere’ Silverbush Morning Glory
Convolvulus cneorum ‘Xera Sphere’...
Our discovery of a very round form of an already round shrub. This form of Silver bush morning glory is tightly compact forming a ball of silver about the size of a basketball. Not the the best bloomer, shy to produce 1″ wide morning glory flowers. Nice plant, does not sprawl. Best in poor rather than rich soil. Not totally hardy. Finds a great home in seasonal containers. It looks like silver boxwood and the metallic hairy foliage is worth it. Cold hardy to 15ºF. Great size, great plant. Xera Plants Introduction
Stay tuned for my next post which will be featured perennials for this weeks availability.
Thank you so much for all of your support. We love growing plants for you!
Paul