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Different plant species are used for different reasons
By Tony Tomeo
I normally consider wildlife in the garden to be a problem. I have contended with deer eating camellias, crows eating figs, squirrels eating walnuts and rats "peeling" lemons, just to list a few! At least there are no beavers here like those I saw in a garden in Beaverton, Ore.!
Some wildlife is, however, beneficial to the garden or is considered by many as welcome. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds help pollinate flowers to increase fruit production, and are enjoyed by many who like to see these visitors appreciating their gardens.
A class at Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center, taught by horticulturist Kate Griffin, will instruct garden enthusiasts as to how to attract more wildlife to the garden. Various flowering ornamentals may be grown to please whatever type of wildlife people like. The class takes place May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Admission is $17. Registration in advance is preferred. Interested parties can sign up at Common Ground, 559 College Ave. in Palo Alto. Common Ground may also be contacted at 650.493.6072. Their URL is www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
When landscaping a garden, it is important to use each species for respective applications that may exploit the natural characteristics of that species. For example, trees considered for use as street trees should exhibit complaisant root systems that are not likely to damage concrete pavement, as well as a high canopy that will not interfere with truck traffic.
Mature size, shape and structure of each species should be appropriate to the desired effect. Selection of species for areas where low growth is necessary, under low windows for example, should be limited to low-growing or sprawling species. Larger species that will require shearing or confinement are not appropriate.
Much of my work as a consulting horticulturist and arborist involves species that are not at all suitable to their situation. In fact, I work with this issue as commonly as I work with suitable species that have been sheared into useless shapes.
However, even in the best-planned gardens, some species tend to revert to their natural state if ignored too long. Climbing vines and vines used as ground cover are the worst offenders. Their behavior in the wild is aggressive and seemingly violent. Their main objective is to climb to the top of the "forest" at the expense of the trees and shrubbery that support them. Once there, they spread out over the upper foliar canopy, shading out and killing anything below. (Like power companies, they can always plead the Fifth later.)
The juvenile growth of English and Algerian ivy makes for good ground cover. If not permitted to climb trees or structures, ivy can be controlled. Adolescent growth occurs if some stems are permitted to climb. This growth is very different from the juvenile growth, but does not bloom or produce seed like adult growth. Because it grips and roots into whatever it climbs, it can cause considerable damage by promoting rot in trunks of trees and wooden structures.
Adult growth, which appears where the climbing vines reach the top of their support, does not attach itself to any support, but may become very bulky and break limbs, trellises or fences. This growth can be identified by shrubby form and the presence of flowers or fruit.
Flower of the Week: Ranunculus
The tubers of ranunculus, Ranunculus asiaticus, should have been planted last winter for blooms about now. However, blooming containerized plants are currently available in nurseries and garden centers. Like many tuberous perennials, they are often grown as annuals because the tubers easily rot in endemic dense soil. They may perform reliably for many years if soil is very well drained or if the tubers are dug and stored after foliage abscises. Good sun exposure is preferred.
The basal foliage is bright green and finely textured. Floral stalks are usually less than a foot tall, but some varieties produce floral stalks 18 inches tall. Each stalk supports single, double or triple flowers; and each plant produces several stalks.
Flowers are semi-double or double and about three inches wide. Color range includes white, pink, red, orange and yellow, with a few mixed or picoteed.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
Ranunculus are perennials grown from tubers. They produce floral stalks that bloom in a variety of bright colors, and are popular as cut flowers.
