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Photograph by Shari Kaplan
Jacarandas are South American natives that do well in California's milder climactic zones. They are easily recognized by striking purplish-blue flowers and unusual seedpods.
Fans of succulents, cacti can attend upcoming exposition
By Tony Tomeo
The epiphyllums discussed last week may be the most impressive bloomers of the Cactaceae family, but not the only ones. Many other cacti species also produce elaborate flowers in a wide range of brilliant colors. Most cacti, however, are grown for their showy stem structures. Many are short and wide, like the golden barrel cactus, which is often wider than tall. Others, like the saguaro, grow very tall and lean with multiple branches. Stems of the prickly pear-type cacti are broad and flattened. Variations of stem structure are seemingly limitless.
Many other succulent plant species, such as jade tree, are often identified with cacti. The family Cactaceae exhibits swollen green stems which perform photosynthesis and store moisture. Spines are actually modified leaves that do not photosynthesize. Most succulents exhibit fleshy, green leaves that photosynthesize with stems that do not. (Most euphorbs behave like cacti, with fleshy green stems and spines.) All cacti are endemic to the Americas, while succulents are endemic to every continent except Antarctica.
One need not be a cacti and succulent enthusiast to enjoy them. Many garden enthusiasts use cacti and succulents where the environment is too harsh for more foliar species. Some also enjoy the bold characteristics of cacti and succulents and use them as a "garden sculpture substitute."
The annual Cacti and Succulent Show and Sale, presented by the Northern California Cacti and Succulent Association, is an event that would be of interest to garden enthusiasts who want to become better acquainted with cacti and succulents. The show features hundreds of rare and exotic cacti and succulents. Several thousand plants will be available for sale from more than 30 vendors. Several free seminars feature topics such as potting techniques, propagation, soil composition and showing plants. Experienced members of the society will be available to answer questions.
The Cacti and Succulent Show and Sale will be conducted on June 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Oak Hall at the San Mateo County Exposition Center. Parking is $6; admission is free. The Exposition Center is at 2495 South Delaware St. in San Mateo. For more information, please call Marilyn Pekasky at 415.392.1960.
Tree of the Week: Jacaranda
When flying into the Los Angeles International Airport during the summer, one might observe purplish-blue stripes transversing the city. These stripes are actually boulevards, avenues and even some smaller streets that have been planted with Jacaranda trees, Jacaranda mimosifolia. Blooms may appear any time between spring and autumn, but are usually most profuse around mid-June.
Jacarandas grow well in the Santa Clara Valley but may be damaged by frost during the more severe winters. Recovery from frost damage is quick, but trees will be smaller and denser than those not damaged by frost.
If soil is slowly drained, irrigation should be infrequent. Mature trees may be 30 feet tall and wide, on single trunks or multiple trunks. The finely textured bipinnately compound foliage is shed in February and may be quickly replaced. New foliage, however, may not necessarily appear until bloom. Individual flowers are tubular and about 2 inches long. Clusters are profuse and about 8 inches long. The cultivar 'Alba' produces sparser, white flowers over a longer blooming season. Groups of older trees that have been grown from seed often include individual variations, including white flowering trees commonly classified as the variety 'Alba'.*
Because foliage drops over a long season and is followed by flower drop and eventual seedpod drop, jacaranda trees are quite messy. Good examples of young jacaranda trees may be observed at the new terminal of the San Jose International Airport. Of course, they are the trees exhibiting the most spectacular purplish blue blooms.
*Cultivars are grown by the cloning of genetically identical plants from a single parent, such as by cutting or grafting. Varieties are grown from seed, but reliably exhibit naturally occurring genetic distinctions acquired from the parents. Although the variety 'Alba' does not reliably produce white-blooming progeny, the name identifies any white-blooming individual. Therefore, the name 'Alba' identifies both a variety and any cultivar that may result from such a variety.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
