rma_ DEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2002 Volume 93 No. 1 $2.00 HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR InJan. andFeb. Jan. 12 Sat. SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM is sponsoringseveral interestingclasses there Class on "Terrariums: AWorldinMiniature." and sometrips andtours. For information: DesignatinyChinese-inspiredlandscapewith 805/682-4726. gardenpath, twigtrees, andhills foracenterpiece Jan. 3Thur. ofZen. Members $40, nonmembers $45, SANDIEGO NATURALHISTORY MUSEUM includesmaterials. 10:00a.m.-noon atTecolote Class on "ButterflyGardening." A lepidopterist Nature Center, 5180TecoloteRoad. Registerat and amember ofthe NativePlantSocietywill www.sdnhm.org or619/232-3821 ext. 203. teachhowtobuildand maintainabutterfly- Jan. 12 Sat. friendlygarden. 7-9p.m. Members $12, WALTERANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on nonmembers $15. Registerat www.sdnhm.org or PruningBare-RootFruitTrees. 9 a.m. 3642 619/232-3821 ext. 203. EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Free. Jan. 5 Sat. Jan. 16Wed. *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION THE HUNTINGTON "All AboutAloe." Adult LIBRARY openfrom 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m. workshopby thecuratorofthe DesertGarden. Mon.-Fri., also thefirstandthirdSaturdays. 3:00-5:00p.m. Members $20. Nonmembers $30. Members ofSDFAcancheckoutbooks. Advance registrationrequired. 626/405-2128. (Membership $10ayear, includesmagazine.) Jan. 19 Sat. BalboaPark, Casadel Prado, Room 105. *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION 619/232-5762. LIBRARY willbeopen. SeeJan. 5 fordetails. Jan. 5 Sat. Jan. 19 Sat. WALTER ANDERSENNURSERY CLASS on RANCHO SANTA FE GARDEN CLUB "A PruningFig, Pomegranate, Persimmon. 9 a.m. Day inthe Garden." 10:00 a.m.-1:30p.m. Tom 3642EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Buchterwillpresentlectureand slideson Free. "Creating DesignUnityforHouse& Garden." Jan. 5-6Sat.-Sun $45. includes lunchand gift. Mail checkto SANDIEGO ROSE SOCIETY RosePruning RSFGC,c/o Donna Ferrier, P.O. Box 1624, Demonstration, BalboaPark. 9:00 a.m.-noon, Rancho SantaFe, CA 92067beforeJan. 16. bringgloves andpruners. Plant salebothdays. 858/759-9611. ContactJuliaCooper, 858/457-5038. Jan. 19 Sat. Jan. 6Sun. WALTER ANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on EAST COUNTY ROSE SOCIETY Annual PruningRoses. 9 a.m. 3642EnterpriseSt., PruningDemonstration. Noonto4:00p.m. San Diego. 619/224-8271. Free. Hands ondemowithConsultingRosarians for Jan. 19-20 Sat.-Sun. additional rosecare information. At 11252 SAN DIEGO ORCHID SOCIETY Winter HorizonHills Dr., ElCajon. 619/440-4174 Free. Orchid Show. Sat. 12:00p.m.-4:00 p.m., Jan. 7Mon. Sun. 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. BalboaPark, CGCI FLORAL DESIGN FORUM2001-2002 Casadel Prado, Room 101. Free. Brenda Parsons speakingon "EnglishDesigns." Jan. 25-26 Fri.-Sat. CarlsbadWomen's Club, 3320Monroe St., THE HUNTINGTON Conference "TheFair Carlsbad. 12:30-3:00p.m. $8 atthedoor. Info: Majestic Paradise ofStowe: The Restorationofan 760/749-9608. Eighteenth-CenturyGarden." 9:00 a.m-5:00p.m. Jan. 10Thurs. bothdays. $20 (graduate studentsfree). Call THE HUNTINGTON "Aloes inBloom." Garden 626/405-2194 ore-mail [email protected] . talkandplantsale, 2:30p.m. 1150Oxford Road, SanMarino. 626/405-2100. General admission. (continued on page 4) JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 CALIFORNIA GARDEN 1 CGaliAforRniDa sE,nceN,9°9 SManAIDLi-e1g6o5F0loErlalPrAsasdooci#a1t0i5on SanDiegoCA92101-1622 seeusatCasadelPrado, TLeIBlReApRhYoOnFeCO6N1G9R/ES2S3N2O-.5IS7S6N20008-1116 MRoonodmay10t5hrBoaulgbhoaFrPiadraky ArrangersGuildChm.619/435-8079 10:00amto3:00pm VOLUME93 NUMBER 1 Publishedby SanDiegoFloralAssociation THEMAGAZINEFOR THEHANDS-ON GARDENER for92Years JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 PUBLICATIONSTAFF FEATURES EDITOR JacquelineColeman 7 GrowingViolets B. Newton CALENDAREDITOR 8 TipsonPassifloraPropagation N. Gadler 10 Favorite Foliage Plants forArranging C. Veech LindaBerger 12 ChocolateFlowers: TheWayto aGardener'sHeart.P. Pawlowski NOWISTHETIMEEDITOR 14 Nandinadomestica B. Newton MarianneD.Truby 15 PropagationofSomeEasy Natives J. DeHart 20 Crown-of-Thorns B. Jones AFFILIATELISTINGEDITOR 21 GrowingPeas onthe Coast A. Dawson LynnBeyerle 22 AskaMasterGardener M. Brigadier BOOK&VIDEOREVIEWEDITOR 23 CrystalSpringsRhododendronGardeninPortland . R. Horowitz RosaleenCox 2D5EPARMToMrEeNATllS-AmericaSelections®for2002 . All-AmericaSelections TOURSEDITOR 2 HorticulturalCalendar L. Berger JerryRay 5 GardeningClasses GrossmontAdultEducation ADVERTISING 5 SanDiegoFloralAssociationClasses Coupon Staff JacquelineColeman 6 Gleanings B. Jones 9 FutureSanDiegoFloralAssociationBusTour J. Ray RENEWALS 16 NowIs theTime M. Truby JoanRoman 23 SanDiegoFloralAssociationClasses M. Walsh 27 BookReviews R. Cox MAILING 29 Affiliates L. Beyerle LynnBeyerle 3 BookOrderBlank Staff EDITORIALADVISORYBOARD COVER Illustration of Euphorbia milii (crown-of-thorns) by and MortBrigadier copyrighted by Alison Walsh. The cover is compliments of Just One RobertHorwitz Miracle, a stationarybusiness where 100% oftheprofitsgo tofind acure BarbaraS.Jones forovariancancer, seeadonpage7. BettyNewton PatPawlowski Claimsandopinionsexpressed byadvertisers donotnecessarily reflecttheviewsoftheeditorandpublisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine. Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawings,andideasfrom amateursorprofessionals.Deadlinesforanextissuearethe Copies of California Garden can be ordered by mail for $2.00 per copy plus $1.00 postage. 20thofJanuary,March,May,July,September,andNovember. SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGardenmagazine Wedonotpayforarticlesorartwork.Wecannotguaranteethe canbepurchasedforadonationof$2.00atthelocationslisted. aoesWsdufapoiftartehCcdaoeaPrlrdneeisytrfauofaanrrenndnncd/ditooafadrl5ol.mGo1aansn.truoedbatrDemiOcnianSlot.e.ct.meepNsCdAusaoltmallearietirfoenloprydrdiiinonasririlekaso.fnlefGSesmracuetoerbnxmdmttpeihIrnseoeBsfsvirMsieoneesnaodewsrmrsavmerceuodeossfmttppthtarhhobteoeseiderbuedilcodogeitfhu,tstbtolhritieesnos CWWBMSIAAAAASLNLLLSIBTTIDFOEEOIOARRNERGNPHAAOIIANNALRFDDLKLAEESORRRVNRSBSIUASEEORILNNRSTEAEONNTSRRUUSSUYRRO,MSSCCEEEI2FRRN9AOYY8TTU-E,,I2NRO825D,0N218A,43,HT--284OI13295OU2702N-S1055,,,E7F361o8O622r14t,F7825/CS5H4taEOo4snDctS7aake-nPrtd8iIpoee2rlTnl0iAs7PsDoL,errnai3ISvd0TtCeo1.oY,,,u,NrSSRtoaam,1rnn.5tP4hDDo91iiBw0eeEa5aggll,yoodPBwCCCraialAAAndbooA99,av922e2S10P.1a06a,n1r340k-AD,r6ic8Sea4agd7noiaDCiCAeAg9o9211C00A10692101 intended,noriscriticismimpliedofsimilarproductsthatare notmentiSoennedda.lleditorialmaterialandchangeofaddressto: FLOWERSHOWS:thSehmoawgaczhianiermsaonldcaotntyaocutrCsalhiofwo.rnia Garden,619/232-5762ifyouwant CaliforniaGarden SanDiegoFloralAssociation CALIFORNIAGARDEN(ISSN0008-1116)ispublishedBi-Monthlyfordonationsof$8.00peryearor$15.00fortwo 1650ElPrado#105 years,foreigndeliveryadd$6.00peryear,bySanDiegoFloralAssociation, 1650ElPrado#105,SanDiegoCA SanDiegoCA92101-1622 92101-1622. ®SanDiegoFloralAssociation,1992. Allrightsreserved.PeriodicalsPostagepaidatSanDiegoCA. POSTMASTER: SendaddresschangestoCALIFORNIAGARDEN,1650ElPrado#105,SanDiegoCA92101-1622. CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR, CONTINUED Feb. 16 Sat. FROM PAGE2 *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION LIBRARY willbeopen. SeeJan. 5 fordetails. Jan. 26Sat. Feb. 16 Sat. S.D. COUNTY BRANCH CYMBIDIUM WALTER ANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on SOCIETY Annual OrchidAuction. CymbidiumOrchid Care. 9 a.m. 3642Enterprise 12:00-4:00p.m. Wommen's Club ofCarlsbad, St., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Free. 3320Monroe St., Carlsbad. 760/753-6952. Free. Feb. 16-17 Sat.-Sun. Jan. 26 Sat. SANDIEGO MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY 5th WALTERANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on Annual Mushroom Fair includingdisplaysoflocal Camellia Plants, Choices and Care. 9 a.m. 3642 mushrooms and fungi, cookingdemos, EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Free. horticultureinstruction, and booksales. Jan. 27Sun. 11:00a.m.-3:00 p.m. BalboaPark, THE HUNTINGTON 2ndAnnual Great Casadel Prado, Room 101. Free. Rosarians oftheWorldSeries: "A Lifeof Feb. 19Tues. Roses." $15 advance registrationandpayment *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION required. 626/405-3507. GENERAL MEETING featuring "Trees and Feb. 2 Sat. Gardens ofBalboa Park" withKathy Puplava, *SANDIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION HorticulturistforBalboa Park. 10:00a.m. Balboa LIBRARY willbeopen. SeeJan. 5 fordetails. Park, Casadel Prado, Room 101. 619/232-5762. Feb. 2-3 Sat.-Sun. Free. SANDIEGO CAMELLIA SOCIETY Annual Feb. 20Wed. ShowandSale. Entries: 8:00-10:00a.m. Visitors: THE HUNTINGTON "Camellias 101." Adult Sat. 12:00-4:00p.m., Sun. 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. workshop3:00-5:00p.m. Members $20. Non- Balboa Park, Casadel Prado, Room 101. Free. members $25. Advanced registrationrequired. Feb. 2 Sat. 626/405-2128. WALTER ANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on Feb. 22-24 Fri.-Sun. Soil, Mulches, Amendments. 9 a.m. 3642 4THANNUAL SANDIEGO INTERIOR EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Free. DESIGN & LANDSCAPE EXPO at SanDiego Feb. 4Mon. ConventionCenter, 111 W. HarborDrive. Fee. CGCI FLORAL DESIGN FORUM 2001-2002 Feb. 23 Sat. "The Ladies ofEnsenada-Designs fromMexico." WALTERANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on CarlsbadWomen's Club, 3320Monroe St., SpringColor/ContainerGardens. 9 a.m. 3642 Carlsbad. 12:30-3:00p.m. $8 atthedoor. EnterpriseSt., SanDiego. 619/224-8271. Free. Info: 760/749-9608. Mar. 1-3 Fri-Sun. Feb. 9Sat. CGCI, PALOMAR DISTRICT STANDARD WALTER ANDERSEN NURSERY CLASS on FLOWER SHOW "THE COLORS OFVAN SpringBulbs. 9 a.m. 3642EnterpriseSt., San GOGH." Partofthe 17thAnnual Spring Diego. 619/224-8271. Free. Home/Garden Showat Del Mar Fairgrounds. Feb. 9-10Sat.-Sun. Friday 12-8 p.m., Saturday 10a.m.-8 p.m., SANDIEGO CAMELLIA SOCIETY Exhibit, Sunday 10a.m.-5 p.m. Admission$10 (Children WildAnimal Park. 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. both 12 andunderfree). 760/727-7614. days. Freewithgeneral admission. Feb. 9-10 Sat.-Sun. THE HUNTINGTON 30thAnnual Camellia Show. Sat. 1:00-4:30p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 BALBOA PARK p.m. 1150OxfordRoad, SanMarino. SAN DIEGO JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN 626/405-2100. General admission. OpenTues. thruSun. 10:00a.m.-4:00 p.m. Feb. 14Thurs. Docenttours withreservations. Fee. THE HUNTINGTON "A LoveAffair with 619/232-2721. Begonias." Gardentalk, 2:30p.m. 1150Oxford OFFSHOOT TOURS Ranger guided. Varioustopics. Road, SanMarino. 626/405-2100. Lecture free Saturdays 10:00a.m. Meet at VisitorsCenterin withadmission. Plaza de Panama. 619/235-1121. Free. JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 CALIFORNIA GARDEN INTERPRETIVE WALKS Ranger guided. History JOYCE GEMMELL orientedtopics. Meet at VisitorsCenter in Plaza 8-WEEK COURSE dePanama. Tuesdaysand Sundays at 1:00p.m. BeginningJan. 17 Thurs. P.M. Free. FruitTree, Vine, and Berry, Tree Planting, Pruning, Grapeand Cane Berries ONGOING EVENTS Thursday6:00-9:10p.m., SantanaAdultCenter, SAN DIEGO NATURALHISTORY MUSEUM Room 1305, 9915 N. MagnoliaAve., Santee. Canyoneer Walks. Sat-Sun. Sept-June. 619/596-3657. $15. 619/232-3821 ext203 orwww.sdnhm.org for 6-WEEK COURSE locations, times anddirections. Free. Beginning Feb. 1 Fri. A.M. SANDIEGO ZOO ORCHID ODYSSEY. Summer Vegetable Gardening ThirdFriday ofevery month from 10:00a.m.- Friday 9:00a.m.-12:10 p.m. FoothillsAdult 2:00p.m., showcasingorchids from Papua New Center, Room 12, 1550Melody Lane, ElCajon. Guinea, Central and SouthAmerica, Africa, 619/401-4122. $15. Thailand, Australia, China, and Vietnam. Free withZooadmission. CONNIE BECK QUAIL BOTANICAL GARDENS GardenTours& 12-WEEKCOURSE Events. 9:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. 230 QuailGardens Home Landscape I -BasicsofOrganic Gardening Drive, Encinitas. 760/436-3036or BeginningJan. 9Wed. P.M. (www.qbgardens.com). General admission. Wednesday 6:30-8:30p.m., SantanaAdult BLUE SKY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE Walks. Center, Room 1305, 9915 Magnolia, Santee. Poway. Sat. & Sun. 9:00a.m. 858/679-5469. 619/749-4059or619/596-3657. $22. WALKABOUT INTERNATIONAL Local Guided CUYeGWAaaaclrMhkdAsem.nConANLteahwnC.sdlOse9ctL:at3Lep0reE.aGS.6meE1.m9iWD/naoa2tcr3ee1ron-ntSCHo2tOnonEusdre.srSvaFSartatetu.eir.odn1a0y:o3f0 HAFDePOLaRRdOIlTRiLnIAeiCLsfsUouArLeSTsiSsuUObJRmCAiAIsNLsAUiToACnIRAOtYoLNE1i5Ns.DnoSAtARrNesfDporoInMEsiAGblROeCfHor- a.m. andSun. 1:30p.m. 619/660-0614. Free. changes thatare submittedlatebytheorganizations. THE HUNTINGTON isopenTuesdaythroughFriday noonto4:30p.m., Saturdayand Sunday 10:30 SEE PAGE 23 SAN DIEGO FLORAL ASSOC. a.m. to4:30p.m. Closed Monday andmost CLASSES holidays. $10 adults, $8.50 seniors, $7 students Three-Day FlowerArranging Class (12-18), under 12 and members free. Grouprate $45 series, members, February5, 19,26 (10+) $8. FirstThursdayofeach monthfree to $50series, nonmembers, February5, 19, 26 all visitors. 626/405-2100or $45series, members, April 16, 23, 30 www.huntington.org. $50series, nonmembers, April 16, 23, 30 BasicPineNeedleClass: ACoiledBasket GARDENING CLASSES $20, February 12 GourdEtchingandBurning BETTY NEWTON $30, March5 8-WEEK COURSE Amountenclosed$ Makecheckpayableto Cutting YourWaterBill: UsingtheRightPlants, the SanDiegoFloralAssociation. SendtoSanDiegoFloral RightWay. Assoc, 1650ElPrado#105,SanDiegoCA92101-1622J BeginningJan. 8 Tues. P.M. Name Tuesday 6:20p.m.-9:30p.m., GrossmontHigh School, Room 330, 1100Murray Dr., LaMesa. Telephone 619/644-8218. $15. BeginningJan. 10Thurs. A.M. Address Thursday 8:50 a.m.-Noon. FoothillsAdult Center, Room 12, 1550Melody Lane, El Cajon. City, Zip 619/401-4122. $15. CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 Gleanings . gatheredbybarbarajones ANT SPRAY copy of the magazine in SDFA's frequentchanges ofcleanwater. . . . BothBobandMortsaythatthebest libraryinCasadel Prado.) ant spray is common commercial The theory is that the plant was TABLEGRAPES&RAISINS . . . window cleaner. Bob says it's the first spread by birds and animals. Even though sultanas, seedless ammoniathatmakes itsoeffective. Trading routes we know as "silk grapes, have been known for The best part of using window roads" wereusedforthousandsof centuries (originated in western cleaner is that the mess can be years. The apple was probably Asia), the history in California cleaned up so effectively and brought to western Europe about begins in the late 1800s when efficiently. 6000 years ago by traders. It was William Thompson obtained introducedtoBritainbytheRomans cuttings of Sultania bianca. These HORTICULTURALTRIVIA . . . inthe 1st Century. (The apple was first grapes were small, seedless In 1774, in the town of brought to North America in the and were dried as raisins. Many Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the 1600s by the earliest European improvements were made and by first American-made metal shovel settlers.) In case you wonder how the 1930swewereseeingthesweet was made. It remained a family this theory of migration was 'ThompsonSeedless'tablegrapeon owned business for the next 181 developed, the "trail" was verified themarket. Bythe 1950sblackand years. Prior to that time the early by DNAtesting. red seedless grapes had been metal shovelswithwoodenhandles Apples cannot be grown from introduced. The 'Flame Seedless' wereimported fromEnglandand a cuttings, so to have a special was introduced in 1973. Today heavytariffwascharged. variety grafting must be done. more than 90% of the grapes The Matilija poppy is named for Historical records reveal that the consumed in California are Matilija Creek and Springs in eating apple was probably seedless. 85% of the State's table VenturaCounty, California. domesticated by 4000 B.C. It is grape crop is produced in the San The Easter Lily, Lilium known that grafting was done but JoaquinValley. longiflorum, was discovered in the where or when it originated is There are other table grapes that 1880s on the southern island of unknown.TheancientGreeksknew canbefound inmarkets, butnotin Japan. thepractice and passed itonto the largeamounts. The'FlameTokay', Romans, and the Romans carried a large, dark red grape was once APPLEHISTORY . . . the knowledge and the plant with themostpopulartablegrape. Itisa The June 2001, The Garden, the themastheymovedthroughEurope variety from North Africa. It was journal of the Royal Horticultural to Britain. introduced to California in 1861. Society, had an interesting article Itisfeltthatmanyotherfruitsand The 'Lady Finger', introduced in about the search to find the origin nuts may have originated in this the 1850s, is also a popular, late- oftheeatingapple. Itisbeingdone remote area ofAsia. Withthe help season grape. The 'Muscat of by botanist Barrie Juniper of of DNA, botanists are hoping to Alexandria', from North Africa, Oxford University. The origin of findmore. wasintroducedin 1852. Itprobably the sweet eating apple, Malus dates to the Roman Empire or domestica, was foundgrowing ina CUT FLOWERS . . . ancient Egypt. It is a large, very wild orchard in a valley in a In attempting to discover methods sweet grape that is golden-yellow remote, mountainous area of of prolonging the life of cut tinged with copper when ripe. It is northwest China, formerly flowers, it has been found that a famed for use in producing wine inaccessibleKazakhstan. Histheory singleflower in a vase lasts longer and raisins as well as beingsold as about how this fruitmigrated from than a bunch ofthe same flowers. atablegrape. this area, where it is thought to This may be due to the quicker Another bit of grape lore — have originated 4.5 million years polluting ofthe water. It is known California produces 97% of the ago, is fascinating. (We have a that flowers do last longer ifgiven nation'scrop oftablegrapes. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2002 CALIFORNIA GARDEN GROWING VIOLETS rip or cut them off. The violets will be back in lovely BY BETTY NEWTON form inamonthortwo. Ifyou want to share yourplants, thevolunteers at SOMEONE ASKED HOW TO grow violets. In my wWhhiaclheydeHvoeulospepMroufsueseulmybfeonuenadththtahteIhVeia"rtb-asbhyapseededlleianvegss,, gexrpaenrdimeontceh,ertghaevyeavrieoleatlsmtoostmytomootehaesry, atondgtrhoewy.grMeyw transplanteasilycompared withlargerplants. onthenorthsideofourLaMesahomebesidethesteps. At Whaley House Museum (San Diego Avenue and Harney Street inOld TownSanDiego), Iplantedsome ofthose violets on the north side ofthe granary porch. Theyspreadhappily. Soontheyweregrowingoutinfull sun, crowdingthroughtherosecanes. Thosewethinned out. Repeatedly. So to start with, I would say violets are easy to grow ifthey are in soil thatgets waterperiodicallyand fertilizeroccasionally. Pureclayandcoarsedecomposed granite however probably present the problems respectivelyof1)toolittleairinthesoilor2)toomuch air inthe soil. Mix inorganic matter. Aboutonceayearyourvioletsmaylookabsolutely terrible, yellowed and thoroughly sick. Either you fertilized them withtoo much nitrogenor they suffered abadredspidermiteattack. Learntousealighthandin fertilizing and water well before and after. As for the yellowedleavesthatmakethegardenitselflookterrible, Just One Miracle™ O "Personal Stationery withaMission" w www.justonemiracle.com I would likeyou to consider supporting the fight to cure Ovarian Concur. You can do this by purchasingthe stationeryIhavecreated. Thesecardsmakeperfectyear-roundgifts. 100%ofthe profitsfromthesaleofthisstationerygoto help important research to findacureforOvarian Cancer. I havechosentheOvarianCancerResearch Fund, 1 Penn. Plaza, N.Y., N.Y.to receive these profits. They aredoinggreatwork. AlisonWalsh,Owner&Designer Images are done \n water color and are + FoldedNoteCards,Pkg.Of10withEnvelopes printed on beautiful paper. The images * FineWritingPaper,Pkg.Of8 (5.5"x8")with Envelopes can be viewed on my web site. Please * InvitationSizeCards(5"x7")withMatchingEnvelopes call or fax me (781-784-8373) if you need an order form, or you can print + HolidayGreetingCards, Folded Size5"x7",withEnvelopes an order form from the web page. AllPackages$12.00Each. PostageIncluded. 100%of the profitsaredonated to find a curefor ovarian cancer, www.justonemiracle.com CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 TIPS ON PASSIFLORA PROPAGATION BY NICHOLAS N. GADLER PEOPLE OFTEN ASK how I became hooked on P. laurifolia. The best of the best are: P. edulis passionflowers. Actually, itwasthefruitthatdroveme 'Frederick',P.ligularis,P.platyloba,andP. mollissima. to addiction. WhileonvacationinHawaii, mywifeand The average passion fruit will contain about 250 I toured the Ono Farms organic tropical fruit farm in seeds. These are typically dark (brown to black in Hanaonthe islandofMaui. We sampledmany strange color), small (2mm to 5mm), flat, and somewhatheart andexoticfruitsthatdaybuttheonethatreallyhithome shaped. The testa (seed coat) has numerous punctate was the "sweet lilikoi" (Hawaiian for passion fruit). reticulationsgivingtheseedanalmostpittedappearance. Imagine the most incredible, wild, refreshing, tropical, sweetyetsour, fruittastepossible; multiplythatbyten, PROPAGATION and that is about the only way to describe it. There is It has long been reputed that Passiflora is among nothing to compare it to...nothing that tastes even the mostdifficultgenerato germinate from seed. It has remotelylikeit. Ihadeatenpassionfruitbeforeandwas been my experience that while this is certainly true, notimpressedbutthisspecies(Passifloralaurifolia)was there are several techniques that can be used to nothing like the typical passionfruitfound here in San maximize germinationrates. Diego. Itwasabsolutelydeliciousandinatasteclass all The first thing to note is the age of the seeds. by itself. Seeds should be started as soon as possible. The older So I brought some seeds back and began the seeds, the much less viable they become. For propagatingthem. Tomydismay, onlytwo seedsoutof example, seeds sixmonths orolderareconsideredvery two hundred germinated. I then discovered that P. old, andgerminationrates willbeextremelylow. Also, laurifoliadoesnotdowelloutdoorsinSanDiego, isnot be sure to use sterile soil. I use Whitney Farms sterile selffertile, andtakes sevenyearstobloomandproduce seed starting mix. This is critical, as most non-sterile fruit. Thegoodnews is thatthere are over sixhundred soilsharbor fungus thatwilldestroyyourseeds. typesofPassiflora,manyofwhichthriveinSanDiego, Oneofthemostinexpensive($5.99)andconvenient and a few are even considered to be better tasting than methods Ihavefoundto aid inpassifloragerminationis to use a "mini-greenhouse with humidome". This is acompletely self-contained,multi-celledflatof plastic mini pots, by Jiffy, which fit into a plastic pan that retains water and is covered withaclear plastic top that retains humidity. Watering from the bottom is essentialtopreventtheseedsfrom being disturbed during germination. Thisunitallowsyou to water from the bottom by placing water in the pan instead ofon top ofthe soil. It is also a good idea to use distilled or sterile water. The water also should be warm (about 80°F) to prevent shock. Another item that is often useful, depending on the time of The exotic 'Black Knight' (Passiflora edulis) that year, is a heat mat. Most heat mats do Charles Robinson grows threatens to take over one notlet you regulate the temperature, so shade structure. He got the plant from Kartuz you may have to place an in-line Greenhouse ofVista. rheostat to control the temperature 8 JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 CALIFORNIA GARDEN accurately. Theideal seed-startingtemperatureformost found in Passion Flowers, by John Vanderplank. The passiflora is around 80°F. While some varieties like it best source I have found for passiflora seeds is Direct warmer and some like it cooler, 80° will allow for Seed Company. They have the "largestselection inthe germinationofalmost all varieties. entire world." The owner, Mark Cooper, is a fountain ofknowledge and is happy to help you when questions arise. They canbe found at ** >' www.members.aol.com/pasifloral/ - *• Takecare,goodluck,andbeware. .growingpassion . 9$vV flowers canbecome very addictive! NicholasN. Gadler, D.D.S. isa SanDiego nativewho Sew"-: hascollectedseedssincehewasachildonvacation. He attended SDSU, USC, and the University of Texas, Houstonforadegreein oralandmaxillofacialsurgery. UPCOMING BUS TOUR Theseedtray ofHumidomewithouttheclearcovering. BY JERRY RAY Most nurseries do not carry everything mentioned SAN DIEGO FLORALASSOCIATIONwill sponsora above, and I have searched nearly all ofthem. Walter bustourtotheWorkmanandTempleFamilyHomestead Andersen is the only nursery I have found that has Museum and the Fullerton Arboretum. Date to be everythingyouwillneed, instockandreadilyavailable. announced. Once youhavegathered the above-mentioned items and The Homestead Museum is a six-acre historic site are ready to begin, here are a few more tips: Wash dating from the era when California was still part of your hands thoroughly before placing the soil into the Mexico. It features the Workman House, an 1870s cells. Placethesoil,andthenmoistenitwiththedistilled countryhomeconstructedaround an 1840s adobe and a orsterilewater. Placeitonthe80-degreeheatmat. Take 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival mansion noted for its yourpassifloraseeds andverycarefully useafingernail architectural crafts. file gently to file offthe edge on one side ofthe seed The grounds include El Campo Santo, one ofthe untilyouseeasmall colorchange. Next, soaktheseeds region'soldestprivatecemeteries,containingtheremains in80-degreesterileordistilledwaterfor24to48hours. of Pio Pico, the last governor of Mexican California. Place onaheat mat to maintain80-degree temperature. Also, there are a variety of award-winning garden After soaking, carefully sow the seeds just below the settings. surface, andthencoverwitha very thinlayer ofsharp, The Fullerton Arboretum is located on 26 acres sterile sand. The sand will help reduce the chances of divided into three growing zones, Temperate, Tropical fungal attack and also will retain heat. Place the and Arid. Conifers, palms, drought-tolerant humidomeinasouthwestfacing window, takingcare to mediterranean-type vegetation, man-made lakes, and a keep the temperature at a constant 80°F. Keep the soil Carnivorous Plant Bog make one forget the location is moist but not over moist. Next, wait...and wait...and onthecampus ofCaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton. wait! It can take as long as three to six months for Heritage House is the Eastlake Victorian cottage germination to occur, but usually you will see results built by Dr. George C. Clark in 1894. Gardens about withinsixweeks. the cottage reflect interests and plantingsofthe era. Once your seeds have started, a new series of Bothsiteswillprovidedocentsforour enrichment. challenges will present themselves; however, these will Costofthe tourwill be $40.00withlunchonour own. be far easier to overcome than germination itself. An Planto enjoy this springtripup northand intohistory. excellent source of information on the subject can be Forinformationcall JerryRay at619-232-266!. CALIFORNIA GARDEN JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 FAVORITE FOLIAGE PLANTS FOR ARRANGING BY CARVILL VEECH IT'S 5:15 IN THE afternoonand guests are arriving at Annette Reid creates lovely mass designs using 6:00. You need atablecenterpiecebutthere is no time flowers from her garden including alstroemeria, tulip, to shop. Oh, dear. brightly colored ranunculus, and Dutch iris. She Now it is early on a Saturday morning and the particularlyenjoysusingandgrowingvariegatedfoliages flower show entries are due at 10:00. The shops are ingreenandwhiteorgreenwithyellow. PollyWigham closed. You desperately need some foliage to finish a growsLeucadendron 'Safari Sunset' inhergarden near designbeforethedeadline. BalboaPark. Ifyouhavedonesomepracticalgardening,youwill In a hilly garden in Mission Hills, Marie Walsh beabletostepouttoyourgardenandpickjustwhatyou grows citron 'Buddha's Hand' for her creative designs. need. It does not have to be unusual or exotic, but it HerLeucadendronargenteum'SilverTree'hasbeautiful shouldbehealthy. silver-greenfoliagewithavaselifeofamonthormore. In San DiegoCounty, ourmild climatepermits us Kay Yarnell, who is a Professor Third Class in the togardenyeararound andto grow amyriadofflowers Ikenobo School of Ikebana and a long time Guild andfoliagessuitableforflowerarranging. Inmosthome member, considers her "mainstays" to be aspidistra gardens there are microclimates that permit a wide foliage, curlywillow,andthevariegatedfoliageoflace- variety of plantings especially when containers are cap hydrangeas. The flower she uses most often is included. Strelitzia reginae. In the spring, her flowering quince MembersoftheFlowerArrangersGuildoftheSan produces branches of coral-covered buds, and in the DiegoFloralAssociationoftengrowfavoriteorhard-to summer, agoldenprivetshrubprovidesbeautifulgolden getmaterials.DorothyDriscoll,whocreatesconsistently foliage. beautifuldesigns,emphasizestheimportanceofgrowing Most flower arrangers do not and cannot grow all foliageplants. Forflowersandfoliage, shegrowsbird- theplantmaterials theyuse. Farmers' markets, florists, of-paradise, camellia, andhydrangea. Shespecializesin friends, flower markets, and supermarkets are all good iris—tall-bearded, spuriaandLouisiana. Thedusty-gray sources offlowers but not always offoliage. Growing foliage ofSenecio cineraria, dustymiller, is another of foliage is probably more important because of its herfavorites. usefulnessto flowerarrangers thangrowingflowers. My personal favorites in foliage for a coastal San Diegogardenincludescented-geraniumfoliageofdeeply notched leaves with creamy white edges and aspidistra leaves, either dark green or variegated. Some of my most valuable foliages that can be grownin the coastal areasinclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowing.Ihave indicatedgoodcontainerplants witha (C). Smallleaves • Buxus (boxwood)—small-leafed evergreenfor pots orhedges • Nandinadomestica(heavenlybamboo)—6-8',lovely colorchanges with seasons, useful red berries Medium leaves • Camelliajaponica—dark-green, glossy foliage on strong stems • Euonymusjaponicus 'SilverKnight'—shrubto 15', greenleaveswithcreamedges,goodfloretshapeon strong stems :..,,#&**.*' fi':^v. • Pgeelraarngiounmi)u—mggrraya-vgeroeleenn,s'sOtlrdonFgalsyhiionndeedntReodsel'ea(vreoss,e rose scent Leucadendronargenteum 'Silvertree' • Tricolored Pelargonium 'Mrs. H. Cox' and 10 JANUARY-FEBRUARY2002 CALIFORNIA GARDEN