B

Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks #2’  DWARF COYOTE BRUSH  foliage    planting  a dense evergreen groundcover to 2’ tall, 10-12’ wide. This is a male form of a coastal selection and features relatively long, dark green leaves, toothed at the tips. Since it is male it won't form seed pods that release variable (including upright) seedlings. Flowers are cottony and occur in fall and winter but aren't showy. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering when established except in hotter inland climates. Probably not frost hardy beyond 15°F. Can take rather wet winter soils but needs to be drier in summer. California. Compositae/Asteraceae. rev 3/2005

‘Alphonse Karr’  stems    typical lush, dense form, at Berghuis Nursery    foliage    clump showing golden orange stems  a clumping species, spreading very slowly by underground rhizomes. Grows to 15’ or more. The culms are yellow with green stripes, often flushed coral on young plants. As the culms age the yellow stripes become much darker golden. This variety has neat, dark green foliage and a rather narrow, erect habit, spreading at the crown. One of the best features of all B. multiplex types is that the foliage is wonderfully blue on the undersides, especially on new stems. All  B. multiplex varieties like sun to part shade, average to infrequent watering, and respond well to fertilizing. Protect all from gophers, especially when young. And all B. multiplex varieties make great container plants. Hardy to 20°F. China. rev 11/2003

'Eddie Gaedel'   first crop, 5g   dense foliage   this is a dwarf sport I found within a block of 'Alphonse Karr.' It appears to be a "Buddha's belly" variant, with compact, swollen joints, a more zig zag culm pattern, shorter internodes, and very short height. The foliage arches gracefully over, quite conspicuously, and it is denser than the regular, tall form of 'Alphonse Karr.' In container it barely reaches 3-4' on older plants, so far. This strain is already 5 years old and the plants have kept true to form through several divisions. This should make an excellent dwarf specimen, good for containers, small spots, and short screens. It is exceptionally dense and nice looking, with very blue leaf undersides. MBN INTRODUCTION-2010  rev 10/2010

‘Fernleaf’  clump  foliage  dense, compact, arching growth to 6-8', with fine textured foliage and congested clusters of leaves. A small scale, formal looking bamboo when well tended. This plant becomes a dense, tangled, arching mass of green, golden yellow, and spent, bleached grey white dead stems and leaves within a few years. To keep it decent, every three or four years you should probably saw the whole mass off to the ground in late winter and give it a good fertilizing to allow it to renew itself. This variety is especially good in small containers and is one of the best bamboos of all for a very small, restrained clump in the landscape. It can be thinned if it becomes too dense in order to present the classic airy bamboo effect. rev 12/2003

‘Golden Goddess’  nice 16 year old stand at Blue Bamboo Nursery   golden culms  culms reach 8-15’ tall in good soils, with watering and fertilizing. Soft foliage is moderately fine textured, about twice as large and twice as open as the ‘Fernleaf.’ Stems two years old or older turn bright golden yellow orange where exposed to sun. Like ‘Fernleaf,’ this variety can be completely cut to the ground, fed and regrown if it starts looking too yellow and runty. One of the best medium size clumping bamboos. It can be hedged, doesn't lean too badly, and will reliably remain under 15', usually 10', in my experience. rev 2/2010

'Monterey Bay'   this is the un-striped form of 'Alphonse Karr'/'One Stripe,' growing as a dependably large, vigorous form of B. multiplex. It is a great substitute or replacement for 'Golden Goddess,' because it gets to where 'Golden Goddess' is supposed to get to but rarely does. See notes for 'One Stripe'. rev 10/2010

'One Stripe'  striped culm  a basal sport I found within a block of 'Alphonse Karr,' and possibly something that has been isolated and introduced before. It doesn't quite match the description of another single-striped form that is rare but occasionally availalable. This form is distinguished by its older stems developing a single, vertical golden stripe, about a quarter or less of circumference in width, aligned with the bud eye at each joint. It doesn't form consistently, but is usually evident on older plants. Its best reason for not being rogued out as "yet another form of B. multiplex to confuse with those that already exist" is that it is probably the most vigorous "green" form of the species we have seen. The striping isn't strikingly obvious, mostly you grow this one as a very nice, dense, lush, bright green tall screen or single specimen. Because the stems and leaves aren't marked its bright blue leaf undersides and clean foliage presentation become more noticeable and featured. It is taller and faster than 'Alphonse Karr' and noticeably larger in stature than any other form of "regular B. multiplex" we have seen. rev 10/2010  MBN INTRODUCTION-2006 

'Silverstripe'  young clump  foliage  a more open, faster grower to at least 10' with clean white and green variegated leaves. To 20’ where happy, with water, food, extra iron, and at least half a day's sun. Older culms are striking deep golden yellow to yellow orange. Prune out old wood selectively on this larger scale variety. rev 12/2003

oldhamii  GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO  at Berghuis Nursery, Lindcove   mature clump at the Huntington   California Adventure   tight habit, powdery culms, wonderful sheaths  usually seen as a large impenetrable clump, spreading to 10’ or more across, with culms reaching to 40’. This is the most commonly encountered timber bamboo because it gets big, is the hardiest large form, doesn't run, and is relatively easy to propagate compared to others. Individual culms can reach 2-3" in diameter and age to a golden color. Foliage is dark green but often has an olive green tint. Same cultural requirements as  B. multiplex, with sun/part shade and regular watering/feeding required for best appearance. This is a large, stiff, coarse-textured timber bamboo. It can be left to grow as a dense thicket or carefully thinned to a very open, sparse stand. It does NOT make a good container plant for a long period, tending ultimately to resent attempts at restriction and eventually breaking the offending container, whatever the material, and the same goes for landscape barriers. But it can be used that way for a while. If you want to thin the clump remove some of the older culms for timber (for which they are well constructed) and leave the younger shoots and their more juvenile buds. Plant it where you want it to live for a long time without being disturbed too often. Hardy to 15°F. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9  China, Taiwan. rev 2/2010

tuldoides  PUNTING POLE BAMBOO  very old clump at the Huntington    culms   a very useful, medium sized, clumping timber bamboo, growing to about 20-30' tall with an erect then partly nodding habit. The culms get about as big around as you could wrap your thumb and middle finger around, about 2" diameter. This is extremely close to B. ventricosa, and that species is now usually treated as just a selection of B. tuldoides. They differ in that B. tuldoides never "bellies" up, with swollen basal internodes in a zig zag growth pattern, and the leaf doesn't twist as much. The primary reason I think B. tuldoides is generally superior is that Buddha's Belly grows as much sideways, in all directions, as it does up. This means a 20' high plant can take up a 40' diameter circle in your garden, with culms tilting all the way down to the ground in all directions unless pruned out of the way. Coupled with the sad fact that the Buddha won't get a belly in Northern California, and it's the biggest no brainer in the history of man kind to see that B. tuldoides will eventually completely replace B. ventricosa for all applications, except in Southern California. rev 6/2011

ventricosa  BUDDHA'S BELLY BAMBOO, FO DU ZHU  at Berghuis Nursery  there are those who claim that this is simply a form of B. tuldoides. For us plants of B. tuldoides are stiffer and have leaves that don't twist. This is an arching, clumping species to about 20-25' tall and broad. It tends to spread widely at the crown and has very horizontal branches for a clumping type. It has much of the grace and peaceful, open appearance sought by those planting bamboo and found much more commonly in the running types as opposed to the rather stiff, chunky style of most clumpers. See bamboo.html for more info. A ten year old clump here at our nursery is about 4' across at the base, 20' tall, and spreads to 20' at the crown, with some branches arching over halfway to the ground. With age it can spread over 35 feet across. The common name comes from the swelling of the lower stems immediately above the joints. These can become quite swollen and show a strong zig zag pattern, or remain rather narrow, smooth and uniform, depending on reasons under disagreement. One possibility is that there are various strains, though this is doubted by most. Another suggestion is that the plants need to be stressed by heat and lack of water. Another says the plants must be crowded. Some say it will never swell in Northern California because we aren't hot and dry enough and something about the daylength or generally heavier rainfall makes it behave differently. They say the only way to make it “belly up” is to grow it in Southern California, cut it back in the middle of summer, and don't water it (the plants can take quite a bit of drought stress). We procured plants with swollen lower culms and watched them grow out narrow and smooth, so we are believers in the latter theory. This is a wonderful container variety, one of the best. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. rev 7/2004

'Kimmei'  VARIEGATED BUDDHA'S BELLY BAMBOO  container trunks   the same swollen lower stems, moderate size clumping growth, and attractive appearance but with stems dramatically striped with green. What is interesting about this variation is that it is much more likely to get the alternating trunk angle and swollen nodes than the regular form, and we regularly see both develop here in our nursery. Very rare, choice. rev 3/2008

vulgaris 'Vittata'   amazing culms   average plant, Quail Botanic Gardens  this tender clumping species is grown here solely for its amazing culms, which are deep golden yellow, almost orange, broadly and consistently striped with clear green. It is at its best in the tropics and subtropics, where its culms can reach over 4" in diameter and 50' in height, but it can be grown successfully outdoors in Southern California. I have seen nice specimens thriving in the San Diego area. Elsewhere it will demand a patio, sunroom, great room, greenhouse, or large commercial space where it can display its colorful trunks and be protected from any temperature extending much below freezing. The foliage is light glossy green, and the young branches are brilliant yellow.  Pick out a nicely colored pot to display it in. Sunset zones 21-24/USDA zone 10. rev 9/2010

Banana  see Musa.

Banksia shrubs and trees native to Australia, related to Grevillea and Leucadendron. Eastern species are relatively easy, Western species tend to be pickier but they are very drought tolerant. Proteaceae. rev 2/2010

spinulosa  flowers  an Eastern Australian species with showy gold flowers and black styles forming its flower clusters. In flower form it greatly resemble  B. ericifolia, but the leaves are longer, greyish/woolly underneath, and with slightly toothed margins. It also grows as a much broader, lower shrub and forms a lignotuber. The flower clusters can be partly hidden by the foliage. This shrub is interesting for its fine textured, dense form and glossy leaves as well as its flowers. This form was undamaged at 25°F, and will probably survive 20°F. Full sun, average to good drainage, little or no summer watering required when established, but better with deep infrequent irrigations. This one takes a couple of years to flower so is rarely seen blooming in containers. rev 2/2010

‘Schnapper Point’  flower   typical plants at UCSC   another couple  a very compact, prostrate form, one the best we have seen of the many low forms of this very variable species. To about 30" high and spreading slowly to 2-3' wide in a reasonable amount of time. It fills in very well and the upright flower stalks make a nice show against the carpet of dark green needle-like leaves. In the usual upright forms the flowers are usually clasped by subtending branches and the flowers usually aren't as well displayed. The flowers themselves are honey with black styles. This is a Koala Blooms introduction through the UCSC Arboretum. rev 2/2010

Baumea rubiginosa variegata  foliage    grass garden planting    water garden planting  a slowly spreading grass-like plant with dense, glossy bright green leaves striped with yellow. The habit is strictly vertical, with leaves usually to about 18" tall but reaching almost 3' on really happy, wet specimens. The leaf blades are flattened but still thick. The plant seems to be self-cleaning, since the appearance is always neat and no dead leaves are ever seen. Sun to part shade, average to frequent watering. Can be grown as a bog plant. Hardiness unknown but will probably tolerate 20°F and resprout from stolons. Australia? Or Central and South America? Cyperaceae. rev 10/2005

Begonia  root hardy to completely tender herbaceous perennials, grown for flowers or foliage, with some in Mexico used for their edible roots. Almost all like part to full shade, light, rich soils, and regular watering. Begoniaceae. rev 4/2004

'Benji'    pink polka dots   this delightful plant has new leaves of bronzey red that turn into dark green and are covered with raised pink speckles! A wonderful foliage plant for containers or beds in half day sun or shade. Not a large begonia, only about 12" tall and wide, small enough to bring indoors when cold weather threatens. Outdoors spring through fall everywere, landscapes in Sunset zones 22-24/USDA 10. rev 8/2011-Suzy Brooks 

bolivensis 'Bonfire'   flowers    what it can do   a smaller scale selection of the species, but otherwise not much different. Peter Shaw of Cabrillo, a famous source of plants of the straight species at their yearly sales, states he prefers the performance and appearance of this variety over the parent species. It features an upright, somewhat open, well branched growth habit and bears long, red orange, quite fuchsia-like flowers from spring through fall. It seems somewhat particular about soils and needs good drainage and rich, moist conditions. Its best application is as a container plant. Part sun, regular watering. Remember it will be fully deciduous in winter, and over time produce a huge dormant tuber. Protect from direct winter cold if planted outside. Sunset zones 1-9, 12-17, 21-24/USDA zone 3, grow unprotected in Sunset zones 21-24/USDA zone 9a. rev 6/2011 

'Bonfire Chocolate Red'  stunning    another of the 'Bonfire' series, this one with exceptionally dark foliage that really shows off the red, fucshia-like flowers. The arching, branching habit is wonderful in hanging baskets or containers as it cascades up and then over. rev 6/2011

'Encanto Orange'   typical spilling habit   flowers very close   another wrinkle in a recent strink of hybrids, variants and selections of this fabulous species. This particular creation is aimed at the container and hanging basket market, and has been selected for dense, horizontal to pendant displays of color. Showers of flowers in compact ranks look down at you from summer through mid fall. This is a vigorous but compact plant. rev 7/2011 

'Sparkle'   'Scarlet' flowers   another hybrid derivation, but slightly more compact than the 'Bonfires.' This line reaches about 12" tall and 16" wide. 6/2011
'Sparkle Rose'  flower closeup   nice, big, rose pink flowers. rev 7/2011 
'Sparkle Salmon'  perky flowers  closer to orange red than salmon, but I don't get to pick the names. rev 7/2011

'Camo'  iridescent silvery pink leaves  walking up to a bench of this plant is like approaching a warm, glowing pink light. The iridescent silvery pink leaves are crisply margined in burgundy, and the complementary pink flowers nestle under the foliage. Eye catching in containers or hanging baskets, it is very compact, and somewhat slow, to about 12" tall and wide. rev 6/2011 

'Cypress'  small, pink, winged flowers   red! red! red!    olive, red, and pink spotted foliage   shiny, bright coppery red new growth ages to almost black green, then dark olive, each crinkly leaf edge sublimely lit with deep, glowing red. A dot of silvery pink color slowly grows around each of the guard hairs scattered along the upper leaf surface. Then small, pendant clusters of winged rose pink flowers hang from the leaf axils from late spring through mid fall. The flowers themselves don't last long, and they tend to hide under the leaves. You actually get nuch more show from the dark pink, pearly, button-like buds than from the cute little flowers themselves. Actuallyactually, you get more show from the undersides of those leaves, shining with deep, hot, orange burgundy red.  It forms a shiny, compact, attractive shrublet to about 10" tall, eventually arching and spreading. Mostly shade, but with enough light to keep the leaf color up! It is really good where you can look up into it from below or at least sideways. Frost tender and like almost all begonias prone to mildew under cold, humid conditions. rev 6/2011 

'Dragon Wing'   red    pink   red in Molly's tall back porch combo   pink, in Molly's neglected other combo pot  this is a hybrid type about intermediate between a true cane-stem/Angel Wing type and a bedding type. It is very close to the old 'Glamour' begonias, which were a very nice strain sold back in the early eighties. They are lush, tropical looking, bloom their heads off, and so far have been totally mildew resistant here on the foggy coast. A real solid performer! Just spectacular in containers. With age they can form short cane trunks, to a couple of feet tall, and you can either leave them in that mini-tree configuration or cut them back, to which they respond beautifully.  rev 9/2009

Falls Series   this series will take quite a bit of sun, but is best in that half-day sun location. All the magnificience of a tuberous begonia, but much easier to grow. A waterfall of single and double flowers on the same plant, all summer and into fall, until the weather turns cold. It was awarded the Royal Horticulture Society's Award of Garden Merit. That's a seal of approval from a nation of gardeners, given only to plants that have excellent performance. That means it is really good. It isn't hard to grow, and not disease prone, which is part of why it got the award.  To about 12" tall and spilling over 2' or more in pots or baskets. Regular watering and feeding will keep these going! You can put it into storage if you live in zones colder than Sunset zones 16-24/USDA 9.

'Rainbow Falls'     colors    pink, yellow, and white. rev 8/2011-Suzy Brooks 
'Victoria Falls'    more beautiful than the real Victoria Falls  intense clear orange flowers. rev 7/2011

grandis 'Heron's Pirouette'  HARDY BEGONIA  flowers  a deciduous, hardy, cane-stem type, a Japanese species, brought in by Dan Hinkley, grown for the facts that it is hardy and has nice pink flowers. It grows to about 18' tall and begins to flower in May, continuing until frost. It is root hardy to Sunset zone 4/USDA zone 6 at least, but also does well in warmer-winter areas. It will seed or spread by stem bulbils. rev 6/2010

‘Irene Nuss’  flowers   Molly's plant  this variety is the showiest of the cane stemmed/angel wing types we have seen, as far as flower show. The bracts are extra large, light pink, turning dark rose pink when exposed to sunlight. They are so nice you almost want to eat them! (hmmmmmmmm   .   .   .   ) The leaves are smooth, dark green above, sometimes with a few very faint silver spots, and burgundy red underneath. To 3-4’ or more. Use in part shade to full shade with average watering and protection from frost. This is probably best used in containers, for superior winter drainage, and is one of the very best of all begonias for that application. It mostly stops moving during winter, and certainly can't take any frost.I have been told we are slightly off in our identification of this variety, and I believe it, but I haven't been able to get the definitive replacement name. This ID is the closest I can get right now. rev 6/2011

'Torch'  typical plant   flower skeins   closeup   a shrubby Angel Wing in the finest 'Irene Nuss' tradition, but smaller, broader, with more flowers that are smaller in size and just slightly oranger in color. The leaves are a really dark olive green with red reverse. A great grower and bloomer, really first class for containers, porches, well-protected planting sites, etc. Rewarding and easy. rev 10/2011

'White Dove'  blooming   white flowers against dark olive green leaves, with burgundy leaves. Low, slow, nicely fuzzy. rev 4/2010

Berberis darwinii  flowers    habit    clipped  evergreen shrub to 8’ tall and wide with small, spiny dark green leaves and conspicuous terminal clusters of small, bright orange yellow flowers from spring through fall. Sets heavy crops of ornamental blue black berries. This plant makes an excellent companion plant for California natives such as  Ceanothus and manzanitas. It tends towards an open, arching habit, and attempts to keep its shape too regular or dense are doomed to defeat. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering when established, hardy to 10°F. Chile, Argentina. Berberidaceae.

thunbergii  JAPANESE BARBERRY  thorny deciduous shrubs valued for their thorns, leaf color (some forms), wonderful red orange fall color, deep red ornamental berries that remain on intricate, bare branches in winter, and growth habit and form. All are frost hardy enough for all of California. It is almost always seen here as one of its selected forms:

‘Crimson Pygmy’  DWARF PURPLE LEAF BARBERRY  flowers    fall color closeup    fall color  habit  deciduous shrub to 2’ tall and wide bears dark reddish foliage in spring and summer, turning beautiful red orange in fall. Will grow in shade, but color is darkest in sun. Fall color is often a little lighter and more luminous with a bit of shade, though. Average to little summer watering. Frost hardy. Excellent in containers or for bonsai.

‘Rose Glow’  planted    foliage close up  to 6’ tall, 7’ wide, with dark burgundy leaves irregularly streaked with light pink. Excellent fall color. Best foliage color in full sun.

Bergenia crassifolia (x schmidtii)  WINTER BERGENIA  closeup    untended patch   this is a great plant! This is the really ubiquitous, colorful, lavender pink Bergenia we see blooming heavily and continuously all over yards during fall, winter, and spring, from at least Portland all the way down through San Diego. I suspect what we are seeing is actualy a hybrid called B. x schmidtii, because I have seen it labeled as such at Strybing Arboretum. In support of that "hybrid" theory I never seen it set seed. I had wanted to sell it for years, but could never find the genuine article, so eventually I just peeled up a patch from my own back yard and started working up the numbers. Some vendors say they list this, but the whole issue is completely and hopelessly confused in the trade. What is really offered is always B. cordifolia in its various selections. That is an okay plant, but clearly inferior to this, the genuine article. They are easy to tell apart, since B. cordifolia is a chunkier plant that blooms only in spring and summer, and it almost always sets seed. The real deal blooms reliably through continuous cold, wet, soggy winter weather, and generally brings cheer and color when little else in the garden, and is sterile. It is drought tolerant enough to thrive along the coast with no summer watering, and will expand slowly by extending coarse, above-ground stems to form large colonies in old heirloom gardens when undisturbed. Divisions have been passed over back fences for generations. It grows to about 12" tall and spreads at a slow to moderate pace. Full sun to mostly shade, not picky about soil, very drought tolerant. Incredibly, snails and slugs mostly leave it alone, which is probably why there is so much of it. Limited quantities, always! Buy it when you see it available. Frost hardy to Sunset zone 5 or lower/USDA zone 8b. Eastern Asia. Saxifragaceae. rev 8/2011

'Winter Glow'  PIGSQUEAK  just lush foliage for now   you have to have this just so you can tell people that you have Pigsqueak in the garden, especially as the parting word! Thick, rounded, wonderful green leaves, it gets its name from the noise it makes when you rub your fingers on them. Low maintenance, carefree, evergreen perennial for some sun or shade. The 'Winter Glow' is from the reddish bronzey colors it turns in fall and winter. It also sends up thick, stout stems of reddish pink flowers in early spring, one of the first to cut for bouquets. A big, bold texture to add to the garden or containers. About 12-15" tall and slowly clumping. Sun or shade, moist or dry soil. Sunset zones 1-9, 12-24/USDA 3. rev 7/2011-Suzy Brooks 

Beschorneria  evergreen, perennial, yucca-like plants, forming rosettes of soft and unarmed foliage, which makes them immensely useful in landscapes. You get the dramatic form and useful focal-point effect without the hassle of trying to weed around the spines or guard children playing near it. All have reddish flower spikes and bloom annually, then are replaced by pups which have sprouted from the base.

Blackberry 'Natchez' PP 20,891   from the University of Arkansas, this is a thornless, summer fruiting, upright to semi-upright plant that is adaptable to most well drained soils and is disease resistant. Produces large, dark, tasty berries the year after planting.  This one does not require trellising, but can be a free-standing plant. Makes a wonderful container plant and a good reason to buy that obelisk to grow it on. Likes well drained soil on the acid side, regular watering, and sun. All Sunset zones/USDA 6. Rosaceae. rev 5/2011 

Blechnum  a genus of evergreen ferns, creeping or developing short trunks. Many are very nice but there are few species grown. Almost all are relatively tender. Some are colonizing, some are solitary and often form short trunks for a minature tree fern look. Polypodiaceae. rev 9/2009

brasiliense  BRAZILIAN TREE FERN  fronds  this is a striking, formal looking, rosette-forming species that can develop a short trunk with age. It is most recognizable by its deep bronze red new fronds, which are produced in flushes, then age to glossy dark green. The somewhat coarse sword fronds reach about 2' and are usually rather upright, forming a shuttlecock or vase shape and getting to about 5' tall. It needs frost protection and should be sited where it won't get a severe freeze if possible (below 28F) but I have also seen references that it will actually tolerate much lower (close to 20F) and is simply facultatively deciduous. Not having had the chance to actually kill it myself yet I am reluctant to say. It makes a superb container plant and is tough enough for commercial landscapes, malls, etc. Brazil. Sunset zones 9, 16-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. rev 8/2008

gibbum  DWARF TREE FERN  Marty's Paradise Park yard, guarded by Mattie   another angle  very slowly forms a short trunk to 3-4’ tall. The narrow, sword-like, sterile evergreen fronds have long, very narrow pinnae (leaflets) that are not divided. New growth emerges pink. Fertile fronds are finer and more vertical. Shade, average watering, protect from severe freezes. While usually listed as "frost tender" there are some who claim it is rather frost tolerant, merely shedding its fronds in all but the coldest of USDA zone 9 (Sunset zones 8-9, 15-24). It remains evergreen if it has any overhead protection at all. Excellent in containers or protected landscape situations. Sunset zones 9, 16-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Fiji. rev 9/2009

‘Silver Lady’  fronds   Sea World   an especially vigorous, large form. About twice the scale of the regular species. I don't see anything silver about it. rev 11/2007

occidentale  new growth   established planting  a choice short fern to about 12" tall in our climate with a simple bipinnate frond deeply cut with narrow leaflets. It runs slowly by short underground stolons to form carpets and clumps of dark green foliage on banks and in between rocks in shade. Its best feature is its wonderfully showy coral pink new fronds, which are produced heaviest in spring but also anytime it flushes new growth, which is throughout the year. It seems happiest in our cool, humid coastal environment but it can be expected to do well anywhere there is shade, a minimum of frost (though it can come back from its extensive root system), adequate humidity and soil moisture. It makes a great container plant and even a good houseplant if you can keep the relative humidity high enough (bathroom, kitchen, etc.). A good planting of it can be seen at Strybing Arboretum in San Francisco, where it does well. It is very widely distributed in the warmer parts of the Western Hemisphere, ranging from Hawaii all the way over to the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and South America to northern Argentina and Chile.  Sunset zones15-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. rev 8/2008

spicant  DEER TONGUE FERN    Henry Cowell Redwoods, one of its most southerly populations   shade commercial landscape   sun commercial landscape  a small to medium size rosetted species, characteristic of redwood forest associations of Central and Northern California. It likes acidic, surface mulched, well drained soil, can take summer drought when established, and tolerates deep shade. In the cool, humid, rainy northwestern corner of the state it can grow to be quite large, and I have seen fronds to over 4' tall in some stands. Usually it is going to be much smaller and more compact, say 1-2' tall and wide. It often becomes highly attractive, with long, trailing fronds that lay down on the ground. Its southern limit in nature is Santa Cruz County. We actually raised this in the distant past but it has been so long it may as well be truly new to our line. Keep it well watered until well established if it is expected to tolerate dry summer conditions. rev 9/2006 

Blueberry     SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY   these varieties are rather easy to grow, Southern versions of the older, more traditional Northern Highbush blueberries, or hybrids between them. Botanically they are Vaccinium corymbosum. They are reliable and tough. Most berries available in California markets today are varieties like these, successfully farmed in the hot, middle sections of the Central Valley. Flavor is essentially as good as northern types. They will bear from late spring through late summer, depending on the variety, often with a few fruit available almost all year. Coastal plantings can bear quite late with cool summers, even into fall. All they need is mostly sun, rich, acid soil (plant with lots of peat moss - 50% of the planting hole soil, with as big a hole as you can stand to dig - and a couple of cups of soil sulfur per planting hole, that ought to do it), and lots of water, though they don't need the almost boggy conditions necessary for northern types. The most important factor is soil pH, which has to be between 4 and 5 for them to grow right. It is very hard to drive soil pH below this point, and it can take 4-6 months for the soil sulfur to do its job. Heavy textured soils will likely take more acidification than you first realize, due to greater density and surface area. Another important factor is that they need thick surface mulch, since the roots will only grow a couple of inches down. Over time the pH will tend to drift up (more alkaline) as the buffering capacity of the soil begins to kick in and minerals begin to decompose in the higher acidity and neutralize it. Also, all city water supplies are limed to prevent corrosion of pipes and this alkalinity accumulates in the soil from evaporation. So if your plants start looking sad, most likely more acidity is in order. If you are growing organically, you will need to use water treated with citric or acetic (vinegar) acid on a regular basis. Experimental plantings into pure organic matter (wood waste, peat moss) have done very well.

     They DON'T like strong nitrogen fertilizer ever, but they respond well to feeding and you can feed them after they are established with regular light applications beginning about April. End your feeding in July or August to minimize Lilac Blight, a bacterial branch disease (Pseudomonas bacteria) that causes early spring stem dieback problems. Also, excess nitrogen will lower bearing on mature, established plants. Plant from 2 1/2 - 6' apart, with rows from 4-6' apart, or use as single specimens, but plant as multiples because most are not self fertile and will need another variety nearby for adequate fruit set. They will greatly appreciate thick, coarse mulch over the top except right against the base, and mounding the rows slightly is usually recommended. Watering is best as sprinkling or surface application that thoroughly wets the mulch. Plants bear on young branches produced the previous year, so thin out the dense twiggy growth to about 5 major branches every year in order to flush new growth. If you are having problems with plant vigor, they probably will trace back to too-high soil pH or inadequate watering. A wonderful feature of many varieties is their outstanding fall color, hot, luminous reds, pinks, and oranges that really light up with fall rains. Then most offer striking coral red stems in winter. Even those without striking fall color at least get smoky wine red leaves with a glaucous cast in cool weather. Plant them where you can see them through your window. In mild winters expect them to hold quite a bit of foliage until they releaf in spring. Temperatures in the mid twenties will cause plants to abort flowers and fruit. All these varieties have excellent flavor. rev 1/2011

'Jewel' (PP 11,807)  large, light blue berries are full of tangy flavor and anti-oxidants, grow on an upright plant to 5-6' tall and  4-5' wide. 'Jewel' is known for adapting to different soils, vigorous growth, and high yields of quality fruit. From the University of Florida breeding program, it is a mid-season ripener and benefits being planted with other varieties for the best fruit production. rev 1/2012-Suzy Brooks
'Jubilee'    fruit    upright, fast, hard berries, a regular producer. From the USDA breeding program, actually a North/South hybrid. 500-700 hours chill, a midseason variety. Has a reputation as a good producer in less than perfect conditions. Has a tight habit, tends to produce two crops. The fruit is supposed to keep well. Wonderful fall color. rev 1/2007
'Misty'    fruit    an early variety of narrow, upright habit and great vigor. Does well coastal or inland and has an extended production season. Chill requirement may be as low as 150 hours. Prune heavily to remove old annual wood and lessen overproduction. Commercial growers use trellises on this variety. No real fall color, but this variety has wonderful, very blue foliage. This variety did very well at a trial at the Santa Clara County Ag Extension office. We have seen fruit ripen in early February here on the Central Coast. The berries have a rich blueberry flavor. Reluctant fall color, often evergreen in mild winters. rev 1/2007
'O'Neal'    fruit    fall color    flowers   probably the earliest variety, a robust, fast grower. Considered by some to have the best flavor of any of the Southern Highbush types and described as "terrific." Fruit is medium dark blue, medium large, on bushes to about 4' tall. A very early ripener with chill requirement estimated at 4-500 hours. Has nice pink flowers and great fall color too, purple bronze then bright scarlet red and hot orange over yellow. Local home grower Jerry Stanhoff reports this to be a continuous summer bearer for him, at 800' in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with "great" fruit that are greedily scavenged by his wife and kids before he gets to enjoy almost any. We find fruit ripening on this one even in January, and even after the hard freezes. Gotta like tthat! rev 1/2008 
'Pink Lemonade'   berries of rich pink are the new rage. Just imagine pink berries mixed with blue, sprinkled over any summer dessert, like cream cheese fruit tart, or cheesecake, or how about just over vanilla ice cream with brandied cherries, or just pitched into a simple fruit salad. Are you ready to buy yet, or should I keep going until you give up? Orange red fall color is a bonus. Suitable for Southern and Northern California. A larger grower to 4-5' tall and wide. rev 5/2011 
'Sharpblue'    fruit  early, really vigorous (up to 6' if very happy), adaptable. Has a reputation for taking soils ranging from clay to light sand. The fruit is very large but must be picked frequently in hot weather or it will overripen. This one has almost no chilling requirement. is almost everbearing on the coast or in Southern California. It did very well at a trial at the Santa Clara County Ag Extension office trial.  rev 1/2011
'Southmoon' (PP 9,834)   fruit   a good variety for California, with the main crop ripening around the end of May. Very productive, with large, beautiful berries. It only seems to need about 500 hours winter chill. Especially good on sandy or well amended soils. Modest fall color, and then only with extended cold weather. rev 1/2011

Borinda fungosa maroon form  UCSC Arboretum plants    at Brett's house, 2001    another nice clump   wonderful culms  this outstanding clumping species is a reliable medium tall grower with excellent vigor. It forms a dense stand of green to reddish brown culms, each to about 1" thick, and always seems to show a dense canopy of bright to deep green foliage. It grows to about 15-20' tall by about the same wide. It varies from seed and this form is distinguished by its deep maroon colored stems. It is usually readily recognized by its distinctive pendant, terminal foliage. This is one of the nicest clumping varieties because it has a plumose, open habit reminiscent of running types. Before it flowered it was classified as Fargesia. China. 10-15F, estimated Sunset zones 5, 7-9, 14-24/USDA zone 8. rev 9/2010

Boronia a genus of shrubs and subshrubs native to Australia. Relatives of citrus, they have fragrant to strongly scented foliage, often have strongly and pleasant flower fragrance, and are notable for usually very long vase life when cut. Many are important commercial cut flower items. Some are hardy to near 20F, some are tender, and some have peculiar cultural requirements. Rutaceae. rev 5/2010

anemonifolia v. anemonifolia  STICKY BORONIA  flowering branch  a fine textured evergreen shrub, probably to about 3' tall, 4-5' wide. The small bright green leaves are finely cut. Small light pink flowers appear along the branches in spring and again in late summer. Sun to part shade, with at least some shade in hotter areas. The species is recommended for well drained sites in Australian references, but we have found this form to be very tolerant of nursery conditions, indicating that average drainage might be adequate. This form should be hardy to around 20°F. Makes a good cut flower. Its one Achilles Heel is that it seems to have a strong need for iron. Southeastern Australia. UC Santa Cruz. rev 5/2010

Brahea armata  MEXICAN BLUE FAN PALM, BLUE HESPER PALM  young plant, Santa Cruz    old plant, Fresno    Karl Dobler's front yard   frond    ornamental seed spikes  one of my all time favorite, favorite plants, deeply loved because of its wonderful luminous, ethereal blue white color, perfect strong architectural form, dramatic presence, and ability to do what it does pretty near anywhere, from Mordor-like, below sea level Sonoran/Mohave Desert so hot it gives you goose bumps conditions to even more miserable cold, foggy, windblown Dante's icy-cold Last Circle of Hell Northern California coastal plain. It will grow in full sun inland, it will grow in almost total shade along the coast. I like it because it is blue, and cactus-level drought tolerant, and resistant to the sooty black mold that attacks so many blue leaved desert plants in foggy climates, and small scale, and perhaps most importantly, SLOW. I want this plant to stay small and blue, not get big. I want it to be a focal point of blue color in my garden for a long time, and getting tall just ruins the effect. When my plant starts to mature, I am going to dig it up and give it away, which is just the opposite to what you normally do with palms, which is to covet and crave the big ones, and nurture and push your specimens to get them big to show off whatever it is that they do. But this is one species that is best when in its juvenile condition, and as they mature to flowering age, over perhaps 4-8' in trunk height, they will begin to not only to flower but the fan fronds also change to a less striking grey green color, especially when grown in cool climates. In the hottest climates you get to enjoy the blue white color at maturity. The flower spikes appear in spring and summer on big plants, and are quite attractive, being long, billowy, feathery, creamy white plumes much like Pampas Grass flower stalks, but much prettier, arching out and away from the trunk and well outside the leaves, then hanging down in long, dramatic, pendant feather boa plumes. They really are quite stunning when they go off. The mature trunk is chalky grey, the young plants show red brown thatching that contrasts with the blue leaves, the plant is just striking in every aspect. They are a phenomenal container plant, can be used in hardscapes, xeriscapes, and foliage plant gardens to equal effect. Usual specs are to about 6-8' across as a large dome, for at least a few years, until it begins to develop trunk height. Very old plants can be up to 20' tall or even more, but that takes a lifetime. Reportedly they don't transplant well when big. About the only thing the don't like is very much water during summer, at least on a continual basis, and very especially against the trunk, which can kill them. Hardy to at least 15F. Sunset zones 8-10, 12-17, 19-24/USDA zone 9b. Palmae/Arecaceae. Baja California, perhaps the very best of a long line of great plants from Mexico. rev 4/2010 

Breynia nivosa 'Roseopicta  SNOWBUSH     foliage    San Diego  bright coral pink new growth. Relatively rapid, open growth with arching form. This subtropical foliage plant is one of those items that you notice immediately upon arrival to the Hawaiian Islands, among other areas where it is used. You see it there as a clipped or natural hedge to 6' or so in height. It is valued for its riotously colorful foliage that is continuously produced, aging to green as it matures. It doesn't want cold, or especially cold/wet, which mostly limits its use to containers in Northern California. But I have seen it used by adventurous souls in Southern California, especially in the San Diego area, and it should survive in the coastal plains and near-water areas without protection if you are willing to suffer it some damage in the very coldest years. It has struggled in Santa Cruz this very cool year (2008) and I suspect it will only be happy in Southern California except in containers or as an indoor/outdoor/patio item. Pacific Islands (Melanesian region). Euphorbiaceae. rev 5/2010

Brugmansia candida  ANGEL’S TRUMPET  tender subtropical shrub to 12’ with huge, felty leaves and enormous, pendant, trumpet shaped flowers. The single form is rarely encountered,  its double form (below) is the only one in the trade to any degree. Both are characterized by a sweet, heavy, musky fragrance which is produced after sundown and rolls off the plant in clouds to scent your entire back yard, your neighbor's back yard, and their neighbor's yard too. This variety seems to recover faster from hard frosts than other strains. Solanaceae. Brugmansias have been selected, hybridized, and planted out in the wild by Central and South American Indians for hundreds of years, and "species" as we know them may not exist anymore. To the extent we can we will list the current "best accepted species designation" for the various forms. All have more recently been separated out of the genus Datura, with the old genus retaining all those species with upright facing flowers and the new genus including most of those with pendant flowers. But all Brugmansias can still be rightfully known as Daturas if you wish. Sun to part shade, average to little summer watering. Faster with fertilizing, but more prone to insect damage. They also usually greatly appreciate any kind of trace element mixtures you throw at them. Solanaceae. Central and South America. rev 7/2005

'Double White'  flowers    mature plant    against a lavender Victorian  the most usually encountered form, with one flower neatly nested inside another. rev 6/2005
'Shredded White'  amazing flower  very long flowers are blown into monstrose, shredded forms, wider and more fan shaped than the double, the Dr. Moreau of Angel's Trumpets. rev 6/2005

‘Charles Grimaldi’  typical, tiered flower display    our plant in the ground before December 1998    more trumpets    great as a chlorotic foliage plant in The Circles  a result of Bartley Schwartz's crossing of B. 'Hetty Kraus' ('Dr. Seuss') and B. insignis 'Frosty Pink,' the deepest colored of the yellow orange varieties in this country, with long, curly "tails" where the petals join. Leaves are often conspicuously toothed, the flowers always hangs vertically. Flowers are heavily fragrant at night, with a sweet, musky scent. This variety is easily recognized by its endearing characteristic of generating a heavy display of the pendant flowers in neat horizontal tiers, and is the best mass bloomer of all the varieties we have grown. rev 7/2005

insignis 'Single White'  plant  single white flowers that flare widely into broad, soft funnels or trumpets. All forms are fragrant at night, with a lighter fragrance than  B. candida, smelling somewhat like Ivory soap. This is what I think is the least-derived form, closest to what may have originally been found in the wild. There are many forms of it, some of lower, broader stature. This clone can probably reach 8'. rev 7/2005

‘Frosty Pink’  flowers    another fine plant    up close  flowers are more openly flared, are light salmon pink, and held outwards at a slight angle. Probably the most commonly planted form. rev 7/2005
'Little Moon'  flowers  a wonderful little thing I picked up from my ex-business partner and always friend Steve Brigham at Buena Creek Nursery in San Marcos, this delightful charmer is a half-size variant, with small, elegant, relatively dainty, fragrant single white flowers to about 6-8" long, freely produced on a plant that looks like it is going to stop at 3-4' in height. It branches and shapes easily and should be a wonderful container variety, as well as easier to site in a garden just due to its dimunitive size. Quite a charmer! rev 7/2007 
‘Miner’s Claim’ Plant Patent #15747  flower    just leaves    foliage color in a dark spot    with morning glory  a wonderful new variegated form of ‘Frosty Pink’ found in our nursery by our sales rep Keith Miner. It has broad creamy yellow to ivory white margins and the same soft, relaxed habit as its parent. Flowers are salmon pink and highly fragrant. This would be a great foliage plant even if it never bloomed. We have had nothing but positive comments from those who have seen it. rev 5/2006  MBN INTRODUCTION-2004

versicolor 'Ecuador 'Pink'  mature flower    young flower    more flowers   long, parallel-walled tubular flowers start as creamy white and slowly become deep salmon pink to almost clear pink before falling. Best color in warm-summer climates, under very cool conditions the flowers are only briefly pink before dehiscing. To 10' or more. rev 9/2005 

'Cypress Garden'  flowers  single flowers which are extremely long, longer even than the occasionally encountered "regular" single form of the species, and aging to light golden yellow. rev  7/2005

Brunnera macrophylla  nice leaves, flowers   closeup   a semideciduous to evergreen perennial related to Cynoglossum and Forget-Me-Nots. It has large, distinctive, heart-shaped leaves to 10" long by 6" across and forms a low clump. Tiny, clear sky blue flowers are borne in long, wiry, open spikes, most heavily in spring but showing some flowers all during the growing season. Deep rooted, it is relatively drought resistant when established. Spreads slowly by underground stolons and by seeding. This is a choice, formal looking perennial for part sun or shade. It is more persistent than most members of its family and doesn't “travel” away from its planting site by dying out in the center, unlike many others. This is probably the toughest, most durable, most dependable genus in the entire family. Boraginaceae. Caucasus, Siberia. rev 9/2003

'Mr. Morse'   wonderful leaves  leaves are all silver white except for a tidy green margin and well-defined green veins. Clear white flowers complete the elegant package.  rev 8/2008
‘Variegata’  blooming  leaves are margined creamy white. Slow! Also difficult to propagate. rev 9/2003

Bulbine frutescens 'Athena Compact'   this is an easy, tough, showy succulent, something like a grassy Aloe, that blooms continually from spring through fall. It bears short spears of cheery orange and yellow flowers (or pure yellow) held above the longa, narrow, round, succulent leaves. This particular selection is a little more compact. It is great for filling even larger spaces, covering gaps in other perennial or succulent plantings, around rocks, etc. It is also a low-water, low care container subject. Needs some shade where it gets really hot. About 12" tall, sprawling and spreading sideways considerably if not restrained. Distinguish from the similar, and similarly named Bulbinella. And hummingbirds like it! Sunset zones 8, 9, 14-24/USDA 9. South Africa. Liliaceae. rev 6/2011 

'Hallmark'  what it does    here's a showy, easy, low maintenance groundcover that's almost always covered in orange and yellow flowers, good for those hard to reach or not-hooked-up-to-water locations. A grassy leafed succulent that forms a clump, about 1-2' tall and wide. Also nice in containers, softening the edges of a path, or spilling over walls. This will freeze down below about 25F but can come back from the roots. This seems to be a facultative short day bloomer, but once initiated the long stalks produce so many flowers that they actually keep the plant in color until it re-initiates, at least in our cool-summer area. And hummingbirds like it! Sunset zones 8-9, 12-24/USDA 8b. rev 1/2012