Most of what is more popular on the Monterey Peninsula than here in the Santa Clara Valley is so because it performs better there, just like much of what is so common here does not adapt well to coastal climates. For example, shamel ash, which grows voraciously here, is inhibited by the cool summer weather and stunted by the incessant breezes of coastal areas. Monterey cypress, which is native to and quite happy on the Monterey Peninsula, is so stressed by the warm and fogless summers of the Santa Clara Valley that it often succumbs to boring beetles (beetles that bore into the cambium or wood, not those four English guys).

However, many species popular in other regions that are not popular here simply are not as familiar to local garden enthusiasts and might otherwise be more popular. I certainly do not recommend randomly introducing into the garden a species observed in a Monterey Peninsula garden without first becoming familiar with innate cultural and environmental preferences of the subject species. Such research may unfortunately dissuade the use of many interesting species under consideration but may conversely encourage the use of a few others.

The Sunset Western Garden Book and associated or similar publications are good sources of relevant information on just about any species that can be found locally as well as a few that can't. When conducting such research, it is certainly easier to determine what species are not appropriate than it is to determine what species are both appropriate and available. Just because a particular item can be found in the Sunset book does not mean it can be found in local nurseries, if at all, for whatever reason. These publications are not to be used as catalogs.

It is important when conducting research that species are identified by their Latin or "botanical" names if possible, rather than their common names. Some common names are regionally applicable, but Latin names are generally universal—used by horticulturists everywhere, with only a few exceptions. For example, in the Santa Clara Valley, "sycamore" identifies various species of Platanus. In England, sycamore identifies Norway maple, Acer platanoides, which could perhaps be the source of John Lennon's Norwegian Wood. In Egypt, where scarab beetles were once revered, sycamore identifies a type of fig, Ficus. Although an encounter with an Egyptian fig is unlikely, Norway maples are actually considered by many to be sycamores.

Flower of the Week: Sedum spectabile

Some garden enthusiasts accustomed to local garden tours within the San Francisco Bay Area might think that gardens of the Monterey Peninsula lack refinement and structure, but I think the styles are just more relaxed. Many species were installed into the various gardens in situations where they could perform naturally without manipulation, rather than be expected to conform to an established landscape. I think this is what I enjoyed most about the tour.

We observed Sedum spectabile (pronounced "spek-TA-bilee"), which lacks a common name, at several of the gardens and a particularly impressive specimen near the grapes I recently featured. The profuse clusters of small pink flowers were finishing bloom, and some of the succulent, bluish-green foliage lower on the foot-tall stems was beginning to fade. Individual leaves are approximately 2 ¹/2 inches long and wide and are quite flat, unlike the fleshy, cylindrical leaves of most Sedum. Stems abscise later in winter and can be easily "plucked." Buds of new growth may appear almost immediately afterwards, but will not expand vertically until weather warms in spring. Flowers can be dried if the stems are removed before the floral clusters disintegrate. Less common cultivars bloom with shades of red.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.