D

Dahlia hybrids    fields of flowers    bouquet at Becky's    deciduous tubers. Plants vary in height from 1’ to 4-5’ with equal spread. The varieties we raise are strictly from division, offering much longer lasting flowers and longer blooming season than seedling strains. We offer both compact border types as well as the taller, medium and large flowering garden and cutting types. In fact, almost all can make good cut flowers, the rare exceptions are those that  aren't used for such. Central and South America. Compositae/Asteraceae.

Dasylirion    yucca-like plants from the dry Southwestern regions, with rather grassy leaves and often toothed margins. They will take desert region levels of sun, reflected heat, and drought. All are very dramatic in containers or used near rocks. They all need good to excellent drainage and tend to rot off in the winter in cold, wet winter climates or in heavy soils. See notes for  Yucca rostrata. Mexico. Liliaceae. rev 2/2011

acrotriche    at UC Berkeley Botanic Garden    Huntington Botanic Gardens   Monterey    recognized by its toothed margins and wispy leaf tips, this is essentially a green version of the familiar D. wheelerii. This is a great plant, a vastly underutilized species, very reliable and being a much better grower for coastal regions than D. wheelerii since it doesn't seem plagued by black sooty mold under cold, foggy or rainy conditions. It gets about 4' across and tall, bright green leaves are only about 1/2" wide. The marginal spines are golden yellow. It can eventually form a snaky or upright trunk and begin to go vertical to perhaps 6'. Hot and dry are tolerated, very little watering required. A natural container plant. Good drainage, of course! Sunset zones 8-16, 18-24/ USDA zone 9 and higher. rev 5/2010

longissimum (quandrangulatum form)     UC Berkeley Botanic Gardens   concave center   Santa Cruz garden   according to our seed source, this represents most of what is sold in the trade, being relatively more robust and greener than its rarer, slimmer, greyer treleasei form. Both into a very grassy, yucca-like plant that very slowly forms a trunk and may someday reach 10’ tall. Usually it is seen as a rounded, trunkless rosette of arching, wiry, dark green leaves 1/4" wide by 3-6’ long or more. It makes a stunning, impressive, interesting focal point plant that greatly resembles  Xanthorrhoea, the Australian Grass Trees. (If the clump forms a very narrow, indented cone of young leaves at the top, it is Dasylirion. If the leaves immediately grow to full length, and the center of the rosette is tall, it is Xanthorrhea.)You can use it in place of a fountain, it provides some of the constant motion effect of water. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering, probably hardy to at least 10°F. rev 2/2011

longissimum (treleasei form)  this is a separate, more gracile, greyer, and slightly prickly form. Otherwise it is identical with the common trade form. rev 2/2011

wheelerii    DESERT SPOON, SPOON FLOWER    Huntington Botanic Gardens    coastal commercial landscape    old flower spike    a very blue, rather wispy yucca-like plant, usually seen as a compact stemless rosette but forming a trunk to 2-3' in areas where well adapted (i.e., real hot, real dry, high light). Individual leaves can get 1" wide by 12-18" long. Easily recognized by its leaf margins, which have respectable recurved golden yellow spines. The terminal leaf tips tend to break into wispy, curled fibers. One of the most dramatic succulents, with its wonderful clean, blue leaves, powdery coating, tasseled tips, and leaf margins defined with golden spines. There is quite a bit of variation to the seedlings, showing differences in plant size and scale, leaf width, blueness or whiteness, marginal spines can vary from rich burgundy orange through light golden yellow, winter color can tend towards smoky purple or remain bluish, the leaves can either remain flat or show a pronounced twist, while the rosette itself can even show a strong propeller-like spiral pattern in some or be stiffly vertical in others. You can never have too many, collect 'em all! When it is mature, and happy, it can produce a 15' tall flower stalk of small, ivory flowers. Needs at least half sun, as much warmth as possible, and excellent drainage. Survives on very little watering. Needs either lean, dry soils or excellent chemical or mechanical weed control: you don't want to try reach into this one to weed if possible, the backward hooking spines may not let you pull your hand out. It makes a wonderful and striking container plant. US Southwest, northern Mexico. rev 4/2005

Davallia trichomanoides    SQUIRREL’S FOOT FERN    nursery containers    a somewhat tender evergreen fern for patios, containers, or as house plants. Furry rhizomes creep slowly outward. Small, dark green, triangular fronds are tripinnate (finely divided), grow to 6" long. Excellent in hanging baskets. Shade, ample watering, no frost. This Eastern Asian native is also sometimes classified as D. mariesii v. stenolepis. rev 10/2003

Dendrobium kingianum  outdoor plant, Watsonville    flower detail   this is a smaller species of orchid that can be grown outside in the warmer parts of Northern California. They need appriximately the same amount of sun, water, fertilizer, and protection from frost as Cymbidiums, and can easily be grown anywhere you see those being raised. They flower in midwinter, bearing short spikes of rosy pink flowers that have an intensely sweet fragrance at night. A single large container plant can scent a backyard, or drive you out of your house if you bring it inside. They don't like any direct frost, but our plants are progeny from a single, very large plant in a 10" container that survived (barely), unprotected, the 19F freeze in Santa Cruz in December, 1990. It grows happily with at least half a day of direct sunlight, monthly feeding with soluble fertilizer (full strength Miracle-Gro or equivalent) and watering a couple to several times a week. Pot into cymbidium bark (finest grind) if possible, or the finest orchid mix available, when it outgrows its container, which it will do in a year or two. Pull plants off the tips of the old growths, or divide your clump up after flowering and spread them around. Along with Cymbidiums and the reed-stemmed Epidendrums, this is the easiest orchid for Californians to grow. Orchidaceae. rec 8/2010

Dendrocalamus   a genus of tropical to subtropical, mostly enormous, spectacular clumping timber bamboos, and the genus to which the largest species in the world belong (D. sinicus, D. giganteus). Except for some hardier strains of D. asper, these are all for Southern California only, unless they have extraordinarily good winter protection. Graminae/Poaceae. rev 11/2010

hamiltonii  fuzzy young clump at Quail Botanic Garden, Encinitas   young buds    culm detail   luxuriant foliage   a proper giant, to 50-80', culms to 7", and leaves to 15". Wants sun, overall warmth, moisture, rich soil, and space. Culms have a modest powdery white coating when young. Can be used for timber, can be used for food. This plant is so rare, selling them makes me want to cry. Limited to areas where winter temps stay above 27F. Sunset zones 21-24/USDA zone 10. rev 11/2010

jianshuiensis  YUNNAN TIMBER BAMBOO  best Quail BG clump    Maya, Armita and Cecep with another at Quail    more Quail    culm detail    joint roots   new bud   leaves   not too difficult, just "jian - shwee - ensis." Much like D. hamiltonii, but with closely furry new culms when young, more conspicuous aerial roots at the nodes, and a broader spreading habit. In particular the outer culms quickly head off at a distinct angle, whereas in D. hamiltonii they are more strictly vertical. It is also a smaller plant, to about 50' and with culms to 5". I'm crying over this one too. It is even rarer. Limited to areas where winter temps stay above 27F. Sunset zones 21-24/USDA zone 10. rev 11/2010

Dianella  grassy, clumping to slow running rhizomatous perennials. Native to Australia and New Zealand, they range from little to big (3') and from cute to robust and durable. They are evergreen and mostly drought tolerant. Some have really showy flowers or striking berries. Liliaceae or Phormiaceae. rev 10/2011

caerulea 'Becca' PPAF    flowers of species    a clumping to slowly running species, distinguished by thin green leaves and a truly nice display of clouds of blue flowers above the foliage in early summer. Leaves reach about 18" tall, flowers about a foot taller. Shiny blue berries follow and are quite noticeable and attractive. They are sold commercially for use in arrangements. This selection is greener and less vertical in habit than a species form we received from Huntington Botanic Gardens. Sun to part shade, average to infrequent watering, not particular about soil. Sunset zones 5, 8-9, 14-24/USDA zones 8b. rev 10/2011 

'Cassa Blue' PP 17998   flowers of species   wider leaves and better color than the species. Upright foliage to 16" tall is a wonderful, powdery turqouise blue. I like blue. This is a great accent plant, but remember it stays mostly upright, so large scale groundcover plantings will need to be done tightly. It looks really awesome in quantity, though, and might represent the mythical "drought tolerant blue Carex.". rev 10/2011 

'Little Becca' PP18452    young foliage   a great little low maintenance plant, forming a dense clump of green, grassy leaves, with an attractive, glossy, bluish cast, to about 2' tall and wide. The main feature is the foliage effect, backed up by the wands of starry blue flowers, which form a very showy display 2' above the leaves. These mature to very nice, showy, bright blue berries. Takes heat, sun, shade, clay or sandy soils, and not much but some watering once established. Spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. Effective as an accent plant but also terrific massed as a very tall lawn sub, in parkways or strips, pots, or especially used as a mostly dry shade groundcover. Sunset zones 8, 9, 14-24/USDA 8. rev 11/2011*NEW for 2012!*

prunina 'Utopia' PPAF  young plant at my house   this new development features compact, broad, beautiful blue grey to blue green foliage that emerges with burgundy edges and with a powdery bluish cast, always purplish at the base. It is not a large scale plant, growing only to about 12-18" tall and 2' wide. Its best use is probably as a featured foliage subject, or massed as a low backdrop. It grows as a clump and doesn't spread to any degree. I like this plant more now having grown it in my yard, it definitely needs to get planted out and stretch its roots before it shows its full potential. It also likes a little heat, and some shade. It looks good in a container with age, once it gets fuller, especially if you can play the container color off against the foliage. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9 until we have more experience with it. rev 2/2011 

revoluta 'Baby Bliss' PPAF    nice crop    one of a number of selections of this fine species, this one distinguished by its wonderful steely to chalky blue foliage and compact, relatively short upright growth. Flowers are typical airy, open clusters of tiny, periwinkle blue stars, with yellow anthers, and fruits are small, shiny, deep blue dots seemingly floating in midair. Use this for its wonderful foliage color and habit and wonderful show of fruit in late summer. It spreads slowly by short stolons to form colonies. The species is widely distributed across Australia, in latitude, longitude, elevation, and environment,  and is highly variable. This is one of the best forms, being really blue and all, and seeing as how I like blue plants, I like this too. To 18" tall by 12" wide. Sun to part shade, probably hardy to 20-15F and evergreen most of the way. Sunset zones 7-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9? 8a? rev 8/2007 

tasmanica    flowers    courtyard planting    dense groundcover at Quail Botanic Garden    commercial planting    striking blue berries    a clumping grass-like plant to 30" tall with rather broad, very dark green foliage. Spreads slowly by underground stolons, usually acting as a clump although I have received one complaint from a gardener who said it took over a well watered area of a garden in Southern California, and another from a customer with a similar situation in my Santa Cruz area. Limit either resource and growth seems to be much more limited. Spikes of light blue flowers produce dark, metallic blue berries which are retained through summer and fall. The fruits are quite noticeable and showy, the flowers are small, muted in color, and open scattered over a long period of time and so are not. They have variously been reported as being edible and are used as “bush tucker” in small quantities mixed with other wild foods (D. caerulea and three other species), as being mildly toxic (D. tasmanica, irritant, as well as other unnamed species responsible for dizziness in humans and more severe poisoning in livestock), and as being blamed for one fatality in New Zealand (D. intermedia). Until more is known the fruit should be avoided, but do not appear to be highly toxic. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering when established, hardy to around 20°F. This is a very tough plant that Dick Dunmire of Sunset pointed out has excellent application in dry, dark shade, and I have seen it growing as a Eucalyptus understory plant in its native southeastern Australia. The leaves, flowers, and berries can all be used in cut arrangements. It blooms under short days and begins in November. Reported grown as cold as USDA zone 7 (North Carolina, Washington), where it is a deciduous perennial. It makes a tough, durable container plant if you are looking for linear blue green foliage in a difficult shady situation. Evergreen USDA zone 9, Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24. rev 11/2010

'Tasred' PP18,737   nursery plants    a form selected and offered by Versascapes that has redder leaf bases and is much more compact than the regular species. The foliage also has a more horizontal habit. To about 18-20" tall. rev 2/2010 
‘Variegata’    planting   also known as 'Silver Streak,' the species identity of this selection is suspect. I can tell you it is all over Borneo, and Java, and if you have ever been to either you know how deeply and wonderfully tropical those places are Ttherefore I doubt it is truly D. tasmanica but either a hybrid or a selection of the more tropical D. ensifolia, which the flowers and fruits match more closely. This is the best variegated form of any species out there though, being a wide,. clean white stripe along the edges of the leaves, with fainter lines running in the centers. This is a good, vigorous grower in spite of the heavy variegation. The flowers are a subdued steely blue and the berries, which set poorly, are pale blue, so this is almost a pure foliage plant. This variety is being used now as a substitute for Phormium in shady spots and mixed foliage containers. It has proven hardy to around 20F in Santa Cruz and may go lower, but again its tropical distribution leads me to not expect it to be as durable as the southern Australian species and forms. rev 10/2011
'Yellow Stripe'    foliage    flowers    bright golden yellow against green. Another superior variegated subject for diverse use. In contrast to many other variegated forms this one has quite showy blue berries, which are a knockout against the yellow toned leaves. It shows more much more green than its white-striped cousin, and is a correspondingly more vigorous grower. rev 10/2007 

Dianthus  CARNATIONS, PINKS   compact, usually blue to grey foliaged, often long blooming, mostly easy. They are light on watering needs but like good drainage. Lots to like, especially if you have a favorite rock they can display against, or a classy container to hold them. Did you know they like "sweet" (non-acidic, i.e. basic) soil conditions? Put a cup or two so of dolomite, or oystershell, or any kind of mineral lime in their planting hole and they will be happier. Caryophyllaceae. rev 5/2011

allwoodi 'Streakin' Helen'   flowers   the original 'Helen' is one of the best Dianthus ever invented (1948), with classic, fully double salmon pink flowers, intense clove-allspice fragrance, clean blue foliage, and repeat blooming performance. I first learned about it from epic plantsman, expert grower and former retail nurseryman Bob Barnhart, a real rock garden perennial expert and first class mentor. I have found over the years that most of Bob's favorites have become my favorites as well, and for the same reasons. This is a variant with dark red streaks punctuating the normal, pure salmon, double flowers. Makes a good cut flower and is outstanding in containers. Fomrs a tidy mound 10-12" tall and wide. All Sunset zones/USDA 4. rev 5/2011

barbatus 'Heart Attack'   flower cluster   a Sweet William that proves to be reliably perennial with very dark, "black"red flowers. Forms a clump of pointy green leaves that become so dark burgundy in full sun they appear alomst black, with flower stems rising above in spring and summer. Long lasting in bouquets. Sun or part shade. Average water. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-24/USDA 5.  rev 10/2010 

'Butterfly Dark Red'  flower  another in that fabulous series of non-stop SuperTrouper bloomers, loaded with fragrance and charm. Dark red flowers have even darker red mottling in the petals. 8-10" of greenish blue leaves make an evergreen mound until you cut it back to give it a breather in the winter. Sun or part shade. Average water. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5. rev 5/2011

'Can Can Scarlet'   nice red flower!   welcome the long stemmed carnation back to the garden! Cast off because of untidy habits and floppiness, this one comes in a compact habit but with strong, cut-flower-quality stems to 18-20" lnog. The flowers are double, intense scarlet red, with old fashioned, spicy fragrance. Grassy grey green foliage is evergreen. Winner of the Fleuroselect Gold Medal and a 2003 AAS award winner too! Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5. rev 8/2011-Suzy Brooks

caryophyllus 'Chomley Farran'   amazing flower   double, dark lavender and red, tie-dyed flowers on 15" stems make a unique and fragrant bouquet. Long blue grey to grey green leaves form a tidy clump. Sun or part shade. Average water. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5. rev 10/2010

'Coconut Surprise'  PP18828  flowers  a beautiful little form, short and stout, with double 'coconut' white flowers with a red 'surprise' center. Fragrant and long blooming, way into fall, with grassy, blue green foliage. Grows to 8-12" tall and wide. Sun or part shade. A delight just about anywhere in the garden. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5. rev 4/2011

'Cranberry Ice' PP18342   flower    single petals, fimbriated at the edge and trimmed in cranberry red, then pink then cranberry again in the center. Tall flower stalks, to about 6-8", produce clouds of flowers above blue grey to grey white leaves. Daylength neutral, so very long blooming if cut back after bloom. Sunset zones 3-9, 14-24/ USDA zone 5. rev 3/2010

'Dainty Dame'  flowers  a single white, with a clean burgundy red zone in the center, blooming heavily and with a strong scent of cloves. Late spring to early summer bloom and will repeat if groomed. Low growing, with blue grey foliage to about 6" tall. A winner. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA zone 5?  rev 11/2009 

'Eastern Star'  flowers   a tight, compact grower to 4-8" tall, bearing 1" wide single flowers, intense clear red with a maroon band at the center, and with a strong clove/carnation fragrance. This is a great rebloomer, going from March through October and still offering its great grey green foliage over winter. Sunset zones 2-9, 14-17, 21-24/USDA zone 4 rev 5/2010

'Fancy Knickers'  elegant   one of the Devon Cottage series, with large flowers up to 2" across, loaded with fragrance, and stems long enough for cutting. Starts blooming in spring and doesn't quit until the weather gets cold in the fall. Grows into a nice, tidy mound about 10-12" tall and wide. A carefree, evergreen perennial for sun or part shade with average watering. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5.  rev 3/2011

'Fire Star' PP14895  flowers  a perky little compact tuft of blue white foliage with very large, single deep true red flowers held about 4" above the foliage. Flowers can reach 1 1/2" across and feature a darker maroon zone in the center. It is part of the 'Star' series and besides a great, intense carnation scent it is truly daylength neutral and can bloom all year. Flower production will be strongest spring and fall and ebb somewhat during cold, short days though. Typical growing conditions. Wonderful in small pots or with other elements. Sunset zones 3-9, 14-24/ USDA zone 5. rev 3/2010

'Neon Star'  flowers  another compact little gem, with neon pink flowers against grey green leaves. Short, to about 5-6" tall. rev 3/2010

'Raspberry Surprise' PP16029  flowers  compact, blue grey foliage, double pink flowers are salmon pink with a darker raspberry zone in the center. Has a strong carnation scent, really nice! Great in containers, in with rocks, wherever you like it. rev 2/2010

'Raspberry Swirl'  first flowers  a relatively compact clumper, blue grey leaves, with arching sprays of single flowers, light pink with a stark, broad black maroon zone in the middle. Wonderful fragrance! To about 12" tall.  rev 2/2010

'Rosie Cheeks'  flowers   another Devon Cottage beauty with large pink flowers all over an evergreen mound of silvery green foliage, 10-14" tall.  rev 3/2011

'Ruby's Tuesday'  gorgeous   also from Devon Cottage, large, dark red flowers in copious amounts, 10-14" tall.  rev 3/2011

'Shooting Star'  PP16431  cute little rose pink flowers  another new variety that just keeps blooming and blooming. Magenta pink flowers are displayed above grey green foliage that reaches about 7" tall. Easy to grow and fragrant. Sun or part shade. Use it in pots, along walkways, and in the herb garden. Sunset zones 1-24/USDA 5. rev 4/2011

Diascia 'Flirtation'®  TWINSPUR, BRIDE'S SADDLE  Flirtation Pink  typical compact growth (12" tall), typical endless clouds of bloom. Bicolor flowers are dark rose pink on the reverse, light pink on the face. Cute! Sun to part shade, average watering, best used as a very long annual, short perennial, or very best used as a somewhat longer lived container or combo element plant. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 7 (or annual). Genus is native to South Africa. rev 10/2009

Dicentra  BLEEDING HEARTS  deciduous or evergreen perennials grown for their pendant flowers and often striking foliage. Domesticated varieties prefer part shade. Fumariaceae. rev 6/2011

'Burning Hearts' PP 20,797  flowering  this spectacular sterile hybrid is finally available at a reasonable cost. It bears dark, intense rosy red flowers on short stalks against almost blue grey to almost blue white foliage. In addition it produces a modestly strong fragrance somewhere between Grape Crush and bubble bath. And if it never flowered it would still be be worth growing for its frosty foliage alone. It is not a tall grower in our climate, certainly under 8" total height, and spreads a little wider. All indications from observing it over a couple of years are that it is going to need at least 750 hours of chill or more. Even then, like many hostas it will only actively grow under very long day conditions (VLD = more than 14 hours). Flowering doesn't start until June, quite late for a Bleeding Heart, but continues in moderate summer climates until frost, as with other superior sterile hybrids such as 'Luxuriant.' Part sun, rich, moist soil, it must have regular watering and at least average drainage. If you plant it where sun doesn't hit it in winter it is more likely to achieve adequate vernalization. If the plant declines and is smaller every year, in California it usually means you don't have the winter chill to grow it. Probably good in Sunset zones 1-8, 14-16/USDA 3. rev 6/2011

‘Luxuriant’    closeup    a wonderful hybrid, featuring low, light glaucous green foliage and spikes of dark rose pink to rose red flowers well displayed spring through late summer. A choice selection, tolerant of mild winters. Nice for its leaves as well as its flowers. Fumariaceae. rev 1/2003

spectabilis    closeup    very closeup    has very large leaves and long horizontal flower spikes which are held well above the foliage. Flowers are also somewhat larger than other varieties. This species needs a long period of vernalization. Japan. rev 1/2003

‘Alba’    closeup    pure white flowers.

Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'    SILVER PONY FOOT, ALUMINUM VINE, SILVER NICKEL VINE   at Evelyn Weidener's   at Blue Bamboo Nursery    at Luis'  house   this is a trailing perennial groundcover from the American Southwest desert (Western Texas, Arizona, etc.) with a downright pendant habit. This silvery selection is grown for its shimmering foliage. It makes a striking specimen used by itself (as a featured container plant or hanging basket) and is of course a natural for mixed combos. It receives little water in its natural habitat and can get many feet across in the ground, rooting in as it goes, but it is going to want good drainage, full sun, and some degree of heat. In containers it needs average watering or less. It only grows under long day conditions. Sunset zone 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. Convolvulaceae. rev 6/2006 

Dichroa febrifuga    commercial landscape    closeup    winter foliage    a Hydrangea relative that has smaller harder, more formal looking deep blue green and evergreen foliage, and rather modest fertile flower heads whose flower color changes according to soil conditions (pink-violet-blue). It likes part sun to shade, rich soil, regular to infrequent watering, and mulch. It looks especially good in formal, woodsy landscapes but it can be used almost anywhere. Under the right conditions the flowers can be quite a striking blue. They set very showy iridescent dark blue berries that are held from late summer through winter. It even continues blooming well through winter in our climate, with blue flowers set against foliage turned a healthy purple black by near-freezing night temperatures, a most attractive combination. To about 4' tall and wide. USDA zone 8/Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24. Apparently most plants in cultivation derive from a single collection from China. Southeast Asia. Hydrangeaceae. rev 3/2006 

Dicksonia    TREE FERN    one of two common encountered species of tree ferns in California (the other is Cyathea), this genus tends to retain its stipe bases against the trunks. Dicksonia antarctica is the hardiest tree fern commonly available. See additional notes under Cyathea.

antarctica    SOFT TREE FERN, TASMANIAN TREE FERN    soft fronds    cleaned and naturally skirted, UC Berkeley Botanic Garden    commercial planting    row planting    natural stand under Eucalyptus    fine brown fur on croziers    the Fern Dell at Golden Gate Park    another fine commercial example    new fronds    happy, Paradise Park   to 15’ tall in cultivation, to about 40' tall and 400 years old in the wild in very protected situations. Bears a dense crown of light to medium green tripinnate (finely divided) fronds to 10’ long. The scientific name is misleading since it isn't found in Antarctica, and as far as the “Tasmanian” common name is concerned it is actually found throughout southeastern Australia, not just island of Tasmania. A short, tough segment of stipe (frond stem) remains attached to the robust, almost black trunk after the fronds dehisce, probably the easiest way for beginning tree fern enthusiasts to distinguish this species from the more gracile C. cooperi (see notes there, especially on cultural tips), which drops its fronds cleanly to leave an oval scar. The trunks are substantially thicker than  C. cooperi, up to a foot thick. This is the hardiest of the tree ferns commonly found in the trade in California, surviving 20°F often without damage, except that the fronds may be deciduous. This species is often encountered growing in thick  Eucalyptus groves in Australia, including heavily littered stands of E. globulus, and will tolerate the secondary compounds that usually stunt other plants. It grows best in shade to part sun, with regular watering, although plants will take relatively dry conditions when established. It is at its best growing under trees, with even diffuse light coming in from all directions and some wind protection from the trunks and overhead canopies. The fuzz from the frond stems is particularly obnoxious in this species and care should be taken to avoid getting it on sensitive skin and especially from getting into the eyes, where it can be quite dangerous. Australia. Cyatheaceae.

     The fronds of this species are held in a relatively upright position, especially if planted against a building or when supplied with light from predominately one direction. When growing in forests in nature it often has a much more horizontal habit, and dead fronds are often retained as a very ornamental skirt below the current season's growth. At higher elevations, populations often show many individuals whose fronds droop substantially with the onset of winter, probably as an adaptation to shedding snow. Some variation of frond habit can be seen in mixed plantings in cultivation. Some individuals are also of considerably smaller stature than others, a feature that would be quite a useful trait if it could be selected for.

     This is one of the very few species of tree ferns which will reroot if cut off above ground level. The cut trunks can be potted up in a nice, moist potting soil and if generously watered along the stem as well in the soil, and kept in a protected, shady, moist site, they will establish and grow with a reasonable degree of success. No guarantees, however. The cut trunk base WILL NOT begin growing again and if you landscaper tells you it will, fire him or her, hopefully BEFORE he or she has sawed it off to “shorten” it, as I have sadly seen done many, many times.

     Like most tree ferns, the growth cycle is rather seasonal. The previous year's fronds are retained until new growth pushes and hardens in spring, although some fronds can be produced at almost any time, and fronds can last more than one year. While mature  C. cooperi crowns often have no more than seven to ten fronds, large specimens of  D. antarctica can have in excess of eighty. For more information on tree ferns in general, see Ian Barclay's The Cold Hardy Tree Fern Web Page (link is here). Ian's excellent work and general tree fern enthusiasm has inspired me to attempt to expand our inventory of species, no easy task since there are no ready commercial sources of young plants. rev 3/2004

Didelta 'Dawn'  container  this is probably just a selection of the species carnea, which grows across a range of habitats in the form of various subspecies. One form grows as a a tight, silvery, hummocky mound to about 12-15" tall by 2-3' across or more, along the coastal strand of South Africa. Others are smaller, and inhabit the Namib Desert or Namaqualand. In many ways it acts like Osteospermum as far as flowering cycle, initiating buds under cool conditions. It needs little or no summer water, tolerates heat and light well with its furry white, leathery, semi-succulent foliage, and bears single, dark golden yellow flowers to about 2" across from late winter through early summer, or whenever it starts to get hot. It makes a nice silvery-cottony white statement even with no flowers. Figure frost to about 20-25F, likes at least average drainage, and likes its summers on the dry side. Expect it to go green in any amount of shade. Compositae/Asteraceae. rev 5/2010

Dietes vegeta    FORTNIGHT LILY    closeup    mature clump    clumping evergreen rhizomatous perennial bears dark green, iris-like foliage to 30" tall. Bears white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks to 3’ tall. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering when established. Damaged below 20°F. South Africa. Iridaceae.

variegated    flowers    nicely used    leaves striped creamy white. Slower growing. rev 11/2004 

Digitalis mertonenses Summer King  STRAWBERRY FOXGLOVE  a little more compact and dense than the usual Digitalis, this one has quilted, dark green leaves in rosettes and stout flower stalks of dusky rose. They are stunning when planted with blue Nigella, Love-in-a-Mist. To about 2-3' tall, clumping, and getting bigger and better each year. Takes sun or part shade. Sunset zones 1-10, 14-24/USDA 4.  rev 5/2011

Dioon edule  CHESTNUT DIOON  first crop   Tony Godfrey's awesome plant at Casa Costalota  a strong, tough cycad growing to over 12' tall in nature but rarely seen with trunks over 5' tall in collections. It has rather fine, blue green to grey green leaves to 6' long, forming a crown that spreads up to 10' across at maturity. The new leaves emerge with tiny, fuzzy hairs and a faint coppery color. It is very slow except under optimal conditions, and you should expect to use this plant for its wonderfully perfect rosette of foliage only. Growing an honest trunk takes patience, to say the least, with 5-40 years required for a foot of height. I have had palm/cycad enthusiasts tell me this plant is substantially more cold hardy than most realize. Although it drops its fronds at temperatures much below 28F, it reportedly simply acts as a deciduous plant down to about 20F, regrowing its crown in spring. I have seen it listed as surviving as low as 15F but I don't have any personal experience with it in hard freezes. It likes part shade, warm summer temperatures, and need some watering, though it is very drought tolerant. Like all cycads, this gymnosperm (cone-bearing, as opposed to flowering plants or angiosperms) is dioecious (Latin, "two houses," meaning male and female cones on separate plants). The female cones can be as large as your head. The seeds it produces are edible, but the skin of the seed is poisonous, carcinogenic by one report. Grow it in part shade in coarse soil if possible. It makes a superb container plant and even a good house plant with enough light. Mexico. Zamiaceae.  rev 9/2008

Distictus buccinatoria    RED TRUMPET VINE    closeup    small plant    one of the most glorious of perhaps the most gloriously showy families in the plant world. This is a fast, robust evergreen vine, ultimately to a very large size in favored locations, that bears 4-6" long, trumpet shaped, brilliant scarlet red flowers to over 3" across at the face, against medium yellow tubes, from mid spring through early fall. Bright yellow throats age to gold, then eventually dark rose pink just before the flowers fall. Flowers age to orange red and eventually lighter rose red. When new, the flowers look like they have been painted, the colors are so strong. They have a thick, heavy texture, almost like thin leather. The flower spikes have one flower per branchlet, 6-15 in a normal spike. Full sun, average to little summer watering when established. It often fails to bloom for one to three years after planting, especially with generous conditions (sun, water, fertilizer, good soil, ROOM TO SPREAD), as it channels energy to vegetative growth. Juvenile grown has small, compact foliage and relatively close internodes. Three to five fingered claw-like tendrils will attach it to any wall, even “smooth” concrete. Mature, flowering wood has larger leaves and slower growth. Damaged below 25°F but survived below 20°F all over Santa Cruz, resprouting easily from the tuberous roots. Mexico. Bignoniaceae.

     One of the most impressive plantings of this plant in the US, in fact one of the most impressive plantings of ANY plant in the United states, was the specimen which formerly completely covered the south face of the “A” Dorm at Merrill College at UC Santa Cruz. It formed a solid wall of flowers five stories tall by a couple of hundred feet long. It would have gotten bigger but it ran out of building. It lived from the late 1960's until some unknown point in the late 1980's or early 1990's when it was apparently either killed by frost (1990) or was removed by dain bramaged idiots. rev 5/2005

laxiflora    LAVENDER TRUMPET VINE, VANILLA TRUMPET VINE    closeup    habit    more flowers    a tender evergreen vine, very fast under most conditions but never ultimately anywhere near as large or vigorous as  D. buccinatoria. The leaves are rounder than  D. buccinatoria, glossier, and lack the wavy edge. Reportedly it can't take as much frost. The buds are ivory white with lavender purple tips, they open to deep, luxuriant, lavender purple to light royal purple flowers against the same ivory white tube, with white throats brushed with pale yellow. They grow to 3-4" long, 2" across the face, in branched clusters of over 20, often to 30-40, with three flowers per branchlet. They age to almost white before they fall, for a mixture of purple and white flowers. They have the strong fragrance of white jelly beans (mostly vanilla). Bloom time is more restricted than D. buccinatoria or 'Rivers,' being from mid-summer on. It clings by three-clawed tendrils. For protected spots in Northern and Central California, or a wider range of conditions in Southern California, it is probably severely damaged or killed below 20°F rev 1/2006

‘Rivers’    ROYAL TRUMPET VINE    closeup    a hybrid of D. buccinatoria and D. laxiflora, with flowers emerging deep violet purple against cream tubes flushed with pink, aging to rosy magenta, and eventually pale pink. The brilliant yellow throats age to rose pink before the flowers fall. Flowers from mid spring through late fall.  Leaves are half way in between the two parents, but it has the three to five-clawed tendrils of D. buccinatoria, the solitary flower branchlets like  D. buccinatoria, and the faint black lines on the twigs like  D. laxiflora. It seems a little more tender than  D. buccinatoria, but all the plants in Santa Cruz survived the sub-20°F temps of 1990 and quickly regrew. It is slightly less vigorous than D. buccinatoria. Several selections of this cross have reportedly been sold in the trade in the past, but material sold now is probably uniform. rev 5/2005

Doodia media    COMMON RASP FERN    new frond    at Blue Bamboo Nursery, Santa Cruz    at Strybing Arboretum    clumping fern, spreading slowly by stolons, bearing slightly hairy, narrow, pinnate fronds to 16" tall. New growth emerges very coppery red in winter and spring. Part sun to full shade, average watering. Plants are found over a large area of Eastern and Southeastern Australia, some forms should be hardy to about 20°F without damage. To keep this species looking good, it can be given an occasional haircut in late January or February, just as the new fronds show signs of starting to push. Remove all old growth and it will be a much nicer, cleaner plant. Polypodiaceae.

Doryopteris pedata    form    HAND FERN    a small clumping species with an attractive hand-like frond, to about 12" tall and 2' wide. Looks a lot like a heavily divided maple leaf, with nice black petioles. Striking and very nice in a container. Part sun to full shade, regular watering, I doubt it will take much if any frost. Tropical America. Polypodiaceae. rev 8/2007 

Drimys lanceolata    PEPPER TREE    small flowers    at Strybing Arboretum    a neat, cone shaped to columnar shrub or tree to 10' (in cultivation), with very attractive, dark blue green, almost holly-blue-green, tight, fine textured foliage. The new growth emerges dark red, and dark red twigs and stems offset the leaves nicely. Tiny flowers are ivory white, noticeable but not showy. A small bite of the leaf (meaning just crush it, don't chew a leaf up!) will reveal the origin of its name. Sun to mostly shade, infrequent to generous watering, average to good drainage. Hardy to around 15°F, probably lower. Southeastern Australia, Tasmania. Winteraceae. rev 2/2003

Dryopteris erythrosora    AUTUMN FERN    new frond    Strybing Arboretum    why you grow it    just emerging    an evergreen fern with relatively small, dark green, shiny, bipinnate (twice divided) fronds to 18" long. New fronds appear glossy, bright rosy red, age to copper, then turn green by summer. Can push new growth in late summer as well. Part sun to shade, regular watering but somewhat drought tolerant when established. Frost hardy. China, Japan. Polypodiaceae.