Carpenteria californica at sbbg

Asarum caudatum at sbbg

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Back when I was in college, I had the opportunity to Intern at a great garden in Santa Barbara California. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. http://www.sbbg.org/ is a 100% california native garden, nestled up Mission Canyon Road. Fortunately I was able to stop by a few weeks ago and visit the garden almost 10years since my internship. A little more than one year ago, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was effected by the Jesusita Fire, burning many parts of the garden and the Gane House, the building I got to know on my lunch breaks while working with the gardeners, that used the building as their home base. A year latter the garden has rebounded nicely and was bursting with color. Here are a few photos of the hightlights.

Pennstripe in flower

Pennisetum Pennstripe

Here is another new variegated Pennisetum. Pennstripe is a white variegated selection of Pennisetum alopecuroides a species native to Western Australia. Pennstripe is more compact than the species and will grow to approximately 18" x 18".
Pennstripe has not shown to produce viable seed in its native Australia. This variety will thrive in full sun and appreciates some supplemental irrigation during summer months. This variety has been in production for over a year now. You can find more information from these growers.

San Marcos Growers (Wholesale)

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3422

Ozbreed - Australia

http://www.ozbreed.com.au/pennstripe.html

Santa Rosa Gardens

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Pennisetum-Pennstripe-p/pen-pen.htm

Pennisetum Fireworks

 
Close up of the variegation

Pennisetum Fireworks

 
For those of you that are bored with the gold old purple fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' comes a new twist on this classic; Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks', a pink variegated selection of 'Rubrum' discovered by Ron Strasko of Creek Hill Nursery in Pennsylvania. Fireworks pictured here in the Corralitos trial garden, is generally slower growing and notably more compact than traditional rubrum. In full sun the pink variegation shows nicely against dark burgundy foliage. 'Fireworks' still retains the mauve colored flowers. Pennisetum 'Fireworks' works great as a container focal point. Monrovia will be growing it for 2010 and it should be readily available as stock supply is strong this season.

Fucrea variegata

 

Nelumbo nucifera

 

Manihot esculenta 'variegata'

 

Musa 'Siam Ruby'

 

Caesalpinia pulcherimma

 

Highlights from Dallas Arboretum

I just spent a sweaty morning touring the Dallas Arboretum. What a great garden! We are trialling a number of our new varieties here and its a great garden to test heat and humidity tolerance. One thing that we do not see much of in Northern California are heat and humidity loving plants that thrive down here in Dallas.

 

 

Sisyrinchium Breeding - Japan

 

Ceanothus Tuxedo

 

California Natives arround the Globe

In my travels oversees its interesting to see how California natives are utilized in other parts of the world. Most of you are familiar with Ceanothus Tuxedo, a black leaf selection with lavender flowers in fall. It was discovered by Irish Nurseryman Pat Fitzgerald. Check out his blog.

http://fitzgerladnurseries.blogspot.com

Also, check out these sisyrinchium hybrids from a company in Japan. The yellow one is my favorite.

Gaillardia Trial

I can't believe its August already! Summer has been busy with travel and trade shows. Summer is also a great time to evaluate perennials in our trials. Each summer I plan a grow out trial were I acquire all the commercial varieties available of a particular genus. This year we compared Gaillardia, an ever growing genera with lots of new hybrids coming to market. Here is an overview of some of the trial highlights.

Penstemon Red Riding Hood

I thought I would make a few posts to make up lost time.  The trial garden in Corralitos is looking great.  Penstemon Red Riding Hood has been in peak flower for about a month now. This variety came back with us from Holland a few years ago and it has started to really catch on. Red Riding Hood is a barbatus type with basil branching and thick glossy leaves. This variety is very floriferous and has stiff stems with watermelon red flowers. This variety is nice compact for a penstemon and flowers about 18" tall.  Hardier than most Penstemons, Red Riding Hood is rated down to USDA 5, this variety is also drought tolerant and is at home in Mediterranean gardens.