October 6, 2003
Arboretum's Fall Plant Sale features new introductions
from Australia
October 11 sale is joint event with California
Native Plant Society
By Tim Stephens
New Australian introductions available for the first time in the United
States will be among the plants on sale at the UCSC Arboretum during
its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 11, from 12 noon to
3 p.m.
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Verticordia plumosa or
Pink Lace, top, and Philotheca myoporoides
or Galaxy are two new introductions that will be available for
the first time in the United States at this year's sale.
Top photo: Patrick Pons-Worley. Above photo courtesy of Koala Blooms |
As in previous years, the Arboretum's plant sale is a joint event with
the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). For Arboretum and CNPS members
only, the sale starts at 10 a.m. It will take place at the Arboretum's
Eucalyptus Grove, on High Street at the intersection with Western Drive.
For gardeners on the Central Coast, fall is an excellent time to get
new plants established. The Arboretum offers a wide range of plant selections,
including California natives and drought-tolerant plants from Australia
and South Africa.
This year's sale will include new Australian plants introduced by the
Koala Blooms partnership. This plant introduction program is structured
to return some of the profits to the Australian nurseries that developed
the plants and some to the Arboretum, which has imported the plants,
grown them in trials, and distributed them to nurseries. At least two
new introductions, described below, will be available for the first
time in the United States at this year's sale.
Verticordia plumosa. 'Pink Lace' is a dwarf, rounded,
evergreen shrub about 18 to 24 inches tall. It has attractive bluish
foliage and lavender-pink, delicately fringed flowers in tight clusters,
with a light honey fragrance. This selection blooms profusely in winter
and spring. V. plumosa is drought-tolerant and should be planted
in a sunny location with good drainage and minimal fertilizer.
Philotheca myoporoides. 'Galaxy' is a rounded, evergreen
shrub that grows to a height of three to four feet. It has fragrant
foliage and pink buds that open into white flowers. With a profuse,
showy bloom from fall through spring, it is excellent for landscaping
and cut-flower use. P. myoporoides is moderately drought-tolerant
and can be grown in any well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun.
An extensive list of plants available at the Fall Sale will be posted
on the Arboretum's web site
by October 1.
The UCSC Arboretum is open for visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every
day. Norrie's Gifts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Jean and Bill Lane Horticultural
Library is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. For more
information, call (831) 427-2998.
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