I recently received an email about two of my favorite trees: camphor and Victorian boxwood. Four characteristics come to mind when considering my favorite plant species: a symmetrical, dome-shaped canopy, glossy leaves, evergreen habit, and fragrance. Although the colorful flowers are beautiful, they don't match the plant in my heart.
Consider the pink trumpet (Tabebuia rosea). It is one of the first plants to flower in the New Year, even before the end of winter. Although they are still leafless, there is an explosion of yellow-throated pink trumpets that color their beauty before drying for about a month. Do not mistake yourself. It is the most spectacular tree imaginable in terms of color and makes an excellent candidate for a street tree due to its medium height and narrow shape. However, for at least ten months of the year, this tree is not worth looking at, and it does not have that comforting, calming feeling of gentle maturity that my favorite trees have.
Here I have to announce my favorite plants which are quite tall. They are suitable for most residential gardens, but may be too large for some. Yes, I know, big trees cost more than small trees. But when I think of these trees, I see them in an ideal state, that is, growing with so much space around them, with so much space that they rarely need be cut. Sometimes we forget that one of the main reasons why a tree is pruned is the damage of a broken branch if left unbranched. When dealing with broken branches or downed trees during a storm, nearby structures, parked vehicles and pedestrians are always a concern. In urban and suburban areas, trees should be inspected annually by a certified arborist and pruned regularly, because close proximity causes trees to break when one side receives more light than the other (which is often the case). . Buildings Additionally, if trees are close together or too close together, poor air circulation can lead to insect and disease problems if they are not pruned regularly. However, in their primitive state, when developing as individual specimens with sufficient space to grow, trees that rarely live more than a century or half a century in residential areas can last for thousands of years.
Take for example the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). I received an email from Rob and Sharon Friedrich, horticulturists in Lomita, regarding a beautiful specimen growing in a nearby schoolyard that they estimate to be between 60 and 65 years old and which has reached a mature camphor height of 50 to 60 feet. Although camphor trees can live up to a thousand years in their native Japan, they rarely live more than 50 years in the United States. The tree in question has thinned out at the top and it appears to be spiraling downward as all the new growth dies and Rob and Sharon "don't remember that happening." Your tree may benefit from watering with a deep-root fertilizer. This device is a perforated metal rod driven into the ground with a pointed end. A pipe is attached to the top of the tree and water flows down and through the holes. You move the irrigator around the plant, wetting each section as you go so that the entire root zone is saturated. The drip line or perimeter of the tree's crown is where you want to water, as this is where feeder roots grow most actively to absorb water and minerals. Root irrigators range from 24 to 48 inches long. Although almost all the water a plant needs is absorbed by roots growing a few inches below the soil surface, these shallow roots benefit from capillary action as they rise through the soil if there is a tank below.
This device is recommended when soil compaction is a problem. Even with all the rain this winter, if the soil can't absorb the water because of compaction (perhaps from years of children playing in the schoolyard), it won't penetrate the roots. You can find root irrigators online for $30 to $40. On the other hand, it is also possible that this plant suffers from verticillium wilt, a fungal disease caused by overwatering the root zone. In this case, it may help to mix liquid fertilizer with running water in the main irrigation system. A deep root waterer with fertilizer dispenser is available online for $40. Finally, water only when the soil around the plant is three inches dry.
The shiny leaves of camphor plants turn pink, bronze, and finally yellow-green. The flowers are discreetly fragrant and the leaves smell like camphor when crushed. Birds eat black fruits. The bark is deeply wrinkled and turns a lovely black color when it rains. Although some people eat the young leaves, the ripe leaves and fruit are definitely poisonous, and I won't even eat the young leaves unless a camphor plant expert tells me to.
Seen from a distance, Victoria Lightning (Pitosporum undulatum) is a striking tree with bright, glossy sea green leaves and a dome-shaped canopy. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to Victoria rot, of unknown origin, but which may be linked to compacted soil, excess or lack of water and/or pathogenic fungi. It grows quickly at first and eventually reaches a height of 40 feet, but its lifespan is only 40 years. In spring it produces clouds of fragrance from its white flowers and, over time, produces orange fruits with red seeds. Although often grown as a tree, it is also used as a hedge or screen. Lisa Hubbart, a gardener in San Francisco, notes that this species can have an allelopathic or toxic effect on plants growing around it, and asks for advice on what to grow underneath it. Besides toxicity, some advise against planting anything under a Victoria box due to the sensitivity of its roots to disturbance. However, since Hubbert has a pot under the tree, it would probably be prudent to grow shade-loving species there. I recommend shade-tolerant succulents (eoniums, echeverias, and jade plants) because of their low water requirements and shallow roots.
Before leaving the subject of my favorite plant, I must mention the Persian Lilac or Chinaberry (Melia azerarch). This woody stone can evoke strong emotions in active plant lovers as well as gardeners and plant observers. The tea berry (Melia azedarac) has two common plant characteristics that will take your breath away and amaze you: green leaves and a perfectly domed canopy. Even in drought, Chinaberry maintains a fresh, vibrant appearance and requires no more water than an average Los Angeles winter rain. The Chinese mulberry grows quickly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and makes an excellent shade tree. Its purple flowers have the aroma of a grape-flavored soft drink. Unfortunately, this plant is rarely found in nurseries. Because it is easy to grow, Chinese berry has gained a reputation as a weed, although it does not grow uncontrolled in our area and is not listed as an invasive species in California. Although its seeds are not available in nurseries, they germinate easily and are widely available from online suppliers.
California Native of the Week : Goodbye Spring (Clarkia amoina) is probably the most widely planted California wildflower in the world, aside from the California poppy. Its cup-shaped flowers are usually varying shades of pink, but sometimes lavender. The name “Farewell to spring” does not refer to the moment when the flower blooms, but to the moment when it stops, because the arrival of heat marks its end. The botanical name Clarkia honors William Clark, who explored what would become the American West with Meriwether Lewis. Mountain fescue (Clarkia unguiculata) is a plant worth planting, especially varieties with double flowers that look like small pink, red and purple roses adorned with red stems. I have seen self-planted hill crowns along the streets of various parts of Los Angeles.
What is your favorite tree and why? Email me about them at joshua@perfectplants.com . Questions and comments on any gardening question or gardening experience, such as your gardening tips and photos, are always welcome.
