 My garden is very unique but very sustainable. It is mostly concrete, with some asphalt, a small lawn, Algerian ivy and junipers. It really takes care of itself. It is unique because no other horticulturist has composed a garden quite like it. Fortunately, sustainable gardens need not be as "simple" as mine is. Landscapes may be designed to exploit the natural characteristics of the species involved so that each conforms to its intended function with only minimal manipulation.
The Sustainable Landscape Faire at Middlebrook Gardens is an opportunity for garden enthusiasts to learn more about sustainable gardening. Three lectures will discuss the topics of sustainable landscape construction and design, California native plants for landscapes, and gray water and drip irrigation. The event takes place June 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lectures in the morning and a garden tour, plant sale and book sale after noon. Guests who walk, ride public transit or bicycle to the event receive a free native plant.
Admission to the lectures is $5 each. Proceeds benefit the Sustainable Landscape Roundtable and the California Native Plant Foundation. Admission is limited. Registration is recommended and may be arranged by telephoning 408.292.9993 or by emailing faire@middlebrook-gardens.com. Middlebrook Gardens is located at 76 Race St. between The Alameda and W. San Carlos Street in San Jose.
Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens has arranged another event that would be more of interest to children. Summer Story Time in Guadalupe Gardens is scheduled for June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. on the hill in the Courtyard Garden near Spring and Taylor streets in San Jose. Children 7 and younger and their parents may come to enjoy a short story and simple activity in the garden. Guests should bring a blanket to sit on and any necessary sunscreen and hats for shade. Reservations should be arranged by calling 408.298.7657 or by emailing education@grpg.org. More information is also available online at www.grpg.org.
I am not at all proficient with the Internet, but I am establishing a website, which will include links to many of the horticultural establishments and the corresponding events that are discussed in the gardening column. The site should also facilitate my prompt response to email. (I am very sorry for the inadvertent deletion of, or delayed response to, some of the email and telephone messages I have received.) I am certainly interested in recommendations for additional relevant links. Such information may be sent to lghorticulture@aol.com or to tonytomeo@lghort.com.
Perennial of the Week: Gunnera
Many garden enthusiasts are impressed with gunnera, Gunnera chilensis, but few are adventurous enough to grow such a massive foliar perennial that becomes such a prominent feature in the garden—only to defoliate and be essentially absent through winter. The very large leaves may be as wide as 6 feet, and the associated petioles (foliar stems) may be as long as 6 feet! The foliage emerges from a central rosette at the surface of the soil and extends mostly horizontally but may be as high as 6 feet and amazingly broad.
Leaves are lobed and slightly ruffled at the edges. Veins are distended and, like the petioles, covered with blunt, raspy "bristles." Foot-long cylindrical floral trusses that may appear near the soil are not colorful but are interesting and may produce very small red fruit.
Gunnera are somewhat discriminating, requiring partial shade and rich soil that never dries and rarely becomes saturated. Irrigation over the foliage may occasionally be necessary if humidity is minimal during warm weather, to protect the foliage from foliar burn. Fertilizer should be applied regularly, beginning when vascular activity (growth) resumes in spring and ending as growth slows.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be
contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Photograph by Shari Kaplan