Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, May 2006 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

8/9/2019 Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, May 2006 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

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G A R D E N I N G O N T H E E D G ENewsletter of the Monterey bay master gardeners

Number 117 May 2006

Because I have Erica growing in mygarden, the original subject of thisarticle was to be the plant group knownas Erica. My research revealed thevastness of the Ericaceae plant family,and I decided to limit myself to asmaller group in that family, heaths andheathers. Again, I was overwhelmed bythe wide scope of the heath family so Idecided to focus on one particular heaththat grows in my garden,Ericacanaliculata.

We have the romantic notion that,with certain exceptions, heaths andheathers are picturesque inhabitants ofthe moors of England and Scotland. Butthis is neither their geographic limit northeir place of origin. Heaths andheathers are natives of Western Europefrom the Mediterranean littoral north to

Scotland and the Hebrides. And, as weshall see, South Africa is the place oforigin of both familiar and unfamiliarmembers of this family.

We tend to think of heath and heatheras two varieties of plants with differentcharacteristics. The distinction betweenheaths and heathers is not firmlyestablished. Botanical experts state thatthe leaf structure of heath and heatherdiffer slightly. Many experts categorizeCalluna vulgaris (Scottish heather) as

the only true heather. Yet, someheaths are called heather withoutany regard to leaf structure. Heathsand heathers are so similar inappearance that even experts havedifficulty telling them apart.

The heather family is more coldhardy than the heath, (better able to

withstand cold temperatures). This isnot a consideration for gardeners inthe Monterey Bay area, which is anexcellent habitat for these colorfulplants. Heaths and heathers areuniquely suited to a seaside climate.

Erica canaliculata , which I boughtas a heath with visions of Scotlanddancing in my head, exemplifies theconfusion surrounding heath andheather. My three plants bloom

around Christmas and put out whorlsof pale pink flowers at the ends of theirbranches. It is a marvelous and unusualwinter blooming landscape plant.

While researching this article, I didntknow the botanical name of my threeheaths. Heaths are usually measured ininches in height rather than feet. Mythree heaths grow to six feet tall. And,while heaths are supposed to grow andflower only in full sun, my plants grewand flowered in partial shade. This was

a puzzle I felt necessary to resolve. So Iwent out in the garden to see if I couldbetter identify my heaths.

The visible nametags had, of course,long since disappeared. But on closeinspection I did find a nametag on one.The lettering was smudged andvirtually illegible. I removed the tag,got out my magnifying glass, and madeout the plant name,Erica canaliculata.

And, much to my surprise, my researchrevealed it to be native to South Africacommonly called Christmas bellsheather or black-eyed heather. My threheaths were now heathers, and myScottish plants had become SouthAfrican.

Erica canaliculatais the tallest andmost floriferous of the South AfricanErica. It is bushy and spreading butwith a general spired effect. It has an

open growth pattern and dark greenleaves above, white beneath, in whorlsof three. The massed bell-shapedflowers vary from pale pink, sold asRosea. A rose-purple variety is sold aRubra.

Why would Monterey Bay nurseriescarry this upright tree heath but rarelycarry its small cousin, the prostrate or

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners May 2

In This Issue

Heath and HeatherGarden Faire Update

Garden Society MeetingsSF Flower and Garden ShowA Fountain for Your Garden

Als Corner

Heath and Heather by Stuart Walzer, MG

(Continued on page


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Monterey Bay Master GardenersvMay 2

(Heath and Heather continued from page 1)

spreading groundcover? I think it isbecause the smaller European varietiesare suitable for dry, open, rollinglandscapes, but get lost in a small urbangarden.

All heaths, and particularly SouthAfrican varieties, grow on infertile,slightly acidic scree. Little or no

fertilization is required. Occasional lightapplications of sulfur will help. Maturespecimens are drought resistant, but dorequire some water.

PruningAccording to the head gardener at

Huntington Gardens, the evergreenEricacanaliculata does not need to be pruned.In late spring, just beat or shake the deadflowers off and trim away the deadwood. Then shape the plant as necessarysince it leans and twists as it grows.Sometimes, if it gets too much water

when it is young and just becomingestablished, it will take on a leggy look.It will then need trimming inorder to develop the desired shape. It

cannot tolerate hard pruning down tojust the wood. Pruning this severelywill kill the plant.

Shakespeare mentions heath/heathers in his plays. One suchreference is from The Tempest, whereGonzalo is drowning:

Gonzalo: "Now would I give a

thousand furlongs of sea for an acreof barren ground, long heath, brown

furze, anything. The wills above be

done! But I would fain die a dry

death." END

Garden Faire Update: the Financial Modelby Tom Karwin, MG 99 and Sheryl McEwan, MG

The Smart Gardening Faire couldbecome an annual event for the

Monterey Bay area, a major project ofthe Monterey Bay Master Gardeners,and a significant addition to itseducational program. The experience ofthe initial 2006 offering of the Faire willbe very helpful in decisions to refine andcontinue the Faire in future years, or todiscontinue it.

Some members of the board haveexpressed interest in this years approachto the Faires finances, and suggestedspecifically that we should charge

vendors a percentage of their revenues.This note is intended to explain why wedecided on a different approach for thisyear.

First, we believe there has never beenan event like the Smart Gardening Fairein the Monterey Bay area. It has someelements in common with the Home &Garden Show, the County Fair and EarthDay, but its more like a small-scaleversion of the Sunset Celebration.

Novelty has appeal for some people,but track record is more important in thelong run. Some people will attend the2006 Faire out of curiosity, but in futureyears, attendance and communitysupport will reflect the quality ofexperiences that people have had withthe Faire.

Our goal for this year is to provide apositive experience at low cost, as afoundation for future Faires. So far,

weve been able to recruit experts ingardening and landscaping to speak

without a fee. (Well provide a fewspeakers with exhibit booths.) Selectedfood vendors will participate, hoping fora crowd large enough to make itworthwhile. Well pay reasonable feesto musicians and other entertainers whowill add to the ambience of a pleasantday in the sun.

That brings us to the exhibitors. Thesewill include non-profit groups, some ofwhich will sell plants or other items toraise funds for their organizations, and

for-profit businesses. We need them toadd to the Faire experience, so we wantto have a good mix of high-quality,theme-oriented exhibitors who arewilling to take a chance with this first-time event.

Weve been recruiting exhibitors witha co-op approach: were asking them tocontribute $50 toward the Fairesexpenses for signage and publicity; meettheir own expenses for tents, tableschairs, etc.; share their knowledge as

part of the Faires educational theme;and publicize the Faire through theirnewsletters and other contacts. This isnot a free ride for them, but it will beless costly in most cases than a fee basedon a percentage of sales.

Exhibitors have responded very wellto this approach, which gives gardenclubs a low-cost opportunity to pursuetheir own educational missions and

recruit members. At the same time, thewill help to make the Faire a must fo

the regions gardeners. Everybody winThe Monterey Bay Master Gardener

support of the Faire advances its owneducational purpose, provides leadershfor the regions garden-oriented non-profits and demonstrates a financialcommitment that is essential forgenerating support from other sources.We already have in-kind contributionsand sponsorships that exceed theMBMGs support and we expect to havmuch more in the form of grants.

We could modify this model forfuture Faires. For example, once wehave real-world experience with theFaires expenses, we could askexhibitors to contribute more towardthose expenses. We also could charge fee based on revenues from sales. Wecan discuss these and other options aftthe Faire. Our long-term goal, howeveshould not be to eliminate the MBMGfinancial commitment, but rather toestablish the Faire as a key part of its

educational program.

For the very latest information on thFaires speakers, exhibitors andsponsors, visit smartgardening.org.EN


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For those looking for additionalways to obtain advanced training,attending one of the many plant cluband society meetings provides anopportunity to expand one's gardeningknowledge by learning more about aspecific plant.

Plant club lectures and field trips, aswell as classes offered by MontereyPeninsula College, Cabrillo College,and the UCSC arboretum or Farm andGarden count toward advanced traininghours. In addition, helping with the setup or organizing any of these classesmay also count toward MG volunteerhours.

Plant society meetings typically offer

a speaker, and may include a plantswap/raffle. Some meetings offer apotluck dinner prior to the meeting,offering a place to socialize and do oneof the things gardeners like to do best,discuss plants!

California Native Plant SocietySanta Cruz County Chapter. Meetsthe second Mon. of odd months, 7:30pm, Natural History Museum, 1305East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. Native plantpropagation group meets the third Sun.of each month, 9:00 am, SuncrestNursery (east of Watsonville). ContactMike Luther, 831-688-3897 or DenisePolk, 831-685-3235 for information,www.cruzcnps.orgMonterey Chapter. Meets the thirdThurs. of the month, Sept. through June;social half hour 7:00, meeting 7:30.Pacific Grove Museum of NaturalHistory, Forest and Central Avenue,Pacific Grove. Contact Brian LeNeve,email: [email protected]

Carmel Orchid SocietyMeets the first Mon. of the month(except Sept. and Dec.), 7:30 pm, FirstPresbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado,Monterey. Contact Ida Hale, 831-646-8724 (email: imaryhale.com). www.carmelorchidsociety.org

Monterey Bay Orchid SocietyMeets the second Thurs. of the month,

6:30 pm, Via Verde Medical Group,1332 Natividad Road, Suite C, Salinas.Aaron Yaras, 831-663-3953; for moreinformation call 831-375-6871.

Santa Cruz Orchid SocietyMeets the first Fri. of the month, 7:30pm, Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.,Santa Cruz. Contact Richard Borden:[email protected]

Monterey Bay Cactus and SucculentSocietyMeets the third Sun. of the month,12:30 pm; potluck lunch followed bypresentation. VFW Building, 1960Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. Call 831-449-2002 or 831-722-1446 for more

information.Monterey Bay Iris SocietyMeets the third Fri. of the month(regular meetings not held in July andDec.; as the Society holds a picnic inJuly and a dinner in Dec.), 7:30 pm,Native Sons Hall, 239 High Street,Santa Cruz. Contact Diane Samson,831-728-1339 (email: [email protected]). www.

montereybayiris.org

Monterey Bonsai ClubMeets the first Tues. of the month, 6:30-9:00 pm, Hilltop School (corner ofDavid Ave. and Jesse St. in Monterey).Contact Tim Shea, 831-663-4780(email: [email protected]).www.gsbf-bonsai.org/MontereyBonsai/

Watsonville Bonsai ClubMeets the second and fourth Mon. ofthe month, 6:30pm, Kizuki Hall, 150Blackburn Street, Watsonville (acrossfrom the Watsonville High Schooltennis courts). Call 831-724-9283 or831-663-5044 for more information.

Santa Cruz Bonsai KaiMeets the third Sat. of the month, 9:00am, Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.,Santa Cruz. Contact Jim Carlson, 831-761-3531. www.gsbf-bonsai.org/santacruzbonsaikai/

Salinas Bonsai ClubMeets the fourth Tues. of the month,7:00 pm, Firehouse Recreation Center,

1330 Alisal St., Salinas. Also meets fiSat. of the month, 1-3 pm, LincolnAvenue Presbyterian Church, 526Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Contact ClairBinder, 831-422-5436.

Monterey Bay Rhododendron SocieMonterey Bay Chapter. Meets the thirTues. of the month, 7:00 pm, Live OaSenior Center, Santa Cruz.Monterey Bay Rose SocietyMeets the fourth Fri. of the month(except June and July), 7:00 pm, AptoGrange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Drive.Contact Otto Lund, 831-426-0824,email: [email protected]. www.montereybayrosesociety.org

Central Coast Heritage Rose GroupMeets twice a year in Jan. and Sept.;also a spring garden party or tour.Membership dues (to be on mailinglist): $1.00. Contact Central CoastHeritage Rose Group, 829 32nd Ave.Santa Cruz, CA 95062; Jill Perry: 831462-4916, email:[email protected], http://members.cruzio.com/~per

Monterey Bay Dahlia SocietyMeets the second Fri. of each month,7:00 pm (potluck dinner), 7:30 pm

meeting. Simpkins Family SwimCenter, Community Room, 979 17thAve., Santa Cruz. Contact KevinLarkin, 831-722-9952, email:[email protected]

American Begonia SocietyMonterey Bay Branch. Meets the fourWed. of the month, 7:30 pm,Crossroads Community Room, CarmContact Fred Crummey, 831-624-415email: [email protected]

California Rare Fruit GrowersMonterey Bay Chapter. Meeting timeand dates vary. Contact Chuck Rusk,831-728-6515, [email protected]

Gardeners' ClubMeets at 7 pm on the second Thurs. othe month at Aptos Grange Hall, 2555Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Contact 831-662-1395, [email protected] END


Garden Society Meetings Offer Advanced

Training Opportunities by Mary Koch, MG 0


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Dave Stockdale (Center for UrbanEducation about Sustainable

Agriculture) presents a seminar oncontainer design basics. Consideringelements of form, texture, color, andscale also applies when working wit

container plant combinations.

As in past years, Sunset Magazinesponsored the garden show seminar

series which featured over 70demonstrations and presentations by

leading horticultural and design experts.The practical hands-on demonstrationclasses were especially well attended

including a session from Monrovia aboutdesigning with four season foliage.

Make your own hypertufa trough!This handcrafted planter with the look

of weathered stone can be completed ina weekend. The rough, natural look

makes it a perfect container forsucculents or alpine plants.

As always, the highlight for many was the wonderfully varieddisplay gardens installed on the Cow Palace main floor. These well-

staged designs are proof that in the garden, anything is possible.Like most years, the 2006 displays featured everything from the

sublime to the bizarre not everyones gardening tastes are similar!The best time to enjoy the display gardens is after 4:00 PM during

the show weekdays; they are virtually empty. Forget about it on theweekends its packed.

2006 San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

Photo Collage March 15-19, 2006 by Kari Olsen, MG 0

Michelle Swanson, MG '96 of CLTV8 design,captured a People's Choice Award and a Gold

Medal for her Art Deco Moroccanmasterpiece.

Photo courtesy Cheri Callis


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This display garden waterfall cascaded from a hugeoverhanging rock formation creating a walk-through

rock tunnel lined with moss and ferns. Lush,tropical-looking plants completed the garden

appropriately titled Tropical Wonderland (GoulartDesigns and Frenchs Waterscapes). Silver Award.

Wabi in the Wilderness (Windsmith Designs)used hardscape to create water-flow through a

design featuring dramatic structural rockelements and drought tolerant plants.

Silver Award.

The Feng Shui Garden (American Institute of Floral Design)applied traditional Feng Shui principles to hardscape and floral

arrangements to create a garden illustrating the five elements foundin nature: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Bronze Award.


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A Fountain for Your Garden by Kathleen Sonntag, MG When I bought my house two years ago, there were two

fountains installed. One was a jug with water bubbling overthe top very pretty lots of compliments from friends. Theother is a big stone one that I am not even going to discusshere.

I was not satisfied with this fountain because the waterhardly showed above the top of the jug, and there was nowater sound. When there was debris in the water tub under thefountain preventing the pump from working, I had to take itapart. That was when I learned how fountains work. I bought alarger pump and when I installed it (attached it to the flexibletube), the water bubbled higher and there was a little watersound if I really listened. Added bonus, I frequently seehummingbirds sipping and dipping in this fountain. Projectcomplete.

This fountain is in front of my house, not in the garden patioarea that I use for relaxing and entertaining. So I began myattempt to bring the relaxing sound of water into my garden

without a major investment. I had an extra small pump. Ifound a bamboo waterspout at a garden store. All I needed wasa container that holds water.

All you need are these three basic items:1. Fountain pump availableat any garden/hardwarestore and an electricaloutlet they come withlong cords;2. Water spout bamboo isinexpensive and durable;3. Container without a hole

that is large enough tosupport the spout.

The pump goes on thebottom of the container, asit must stay submerged.There are only a couple ofmaintenance chores:1. Check the water level ona regular basis, asevaporation will occur inthe warm weather.2. Clean out debris (leaves,

pine needles) as needed.The pump is easy to openand clean if it stops working.

A simple fountainprovides an instant upgradeto your garden and thesound of water is said to

attract birds. This simplefountain can be enhancedwith rocks, ornamentsand plants if you getcarried away by suchprojects the way I do.Here is what my fountain

looked like when I wasdone. The container isone of the lightweightfiberglass ones. If youadd rocks, decide whereto put the fountain beforeyou load it up unless youcan lift heavy objects.(Yes, I wanted to movemine after I got it alldone.) I supported thewaterspout with rocks so that the stream would be more

visible and the water would have a longer distance to flowdown.

I prefer watching the way the water falls on the rocks, buthe sound is best when it flows from the spout into waterbelow. Some grasses are happy sitting in water. I used aJuncuspatens (California rush).

A small fountain can make a big difference in a garden. Iwill focus your attention away from less pleasant sounds(traffic, neighbors) and let you enjoy the time there even moNow that you know how easy it is, what are you waiting for

EN

Water jug fountain

Pump and water spout

Here is a picture of a fountain from http://www.kineticfountains.com/. They sell a kit that includes the pump and the waterspout.

My cat thought I made

him a drinking fountain!



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Makita hacksawMakita pruner

My Rosarian friend and Sonoma County Master Gardener,Jim Lang told me a couple of ways to improve my way of doigardening chores that I would like to pass along. The first is aMakita cordless reciprocating saw, so small it becomes part ofyour hand. No tool dealer in this area knew they made such atool. The purpose the manufacturer had in mind for this tool isunknown, but it was never intended for us gardeners or it woube available through gardening sources. I was able to find it atMakita on the Internet and with a model number and list ofdealers.

The best price was from a dealer in Nebraska. Because Ialready have Makita tools using the 9.6-volt battery, I did notneed a battery or charger and my price was $69. Because of itsmall size and thin, stiff blade, it is able to get into a very sma

space. The suggested use for this saw, with the operatingdirections, was metal or lumber but certainly not growing treeor shrubs.

Jims other helpful hint was the use of stakes for rose or othshrubs. Sometimes a newly planted tree or shrub just resistsgrowing vertically, especially here in Calistoga where very litof the garden is near level. Instead of using those green plasticcoated metal stakes available at all garden outlets, which areeasily bent and difficult to drive into my rocky soil, Jim uses inch steel electrical conduit. It is available everywhere in 10-foot lengths, galvanized and long lasting in the garden. It iseasily cut to the desired length with a hacksaw or my new

Makita with the included hacksaw blade. The best part for uspoor gardeners is a 10-foot, inch steel electrical conduit thasells for $2.39 at both Home Depot and Yardbirds in Santa Roand very little more at the local Calistoga hardware store. END


Als CornerPass Along Gardening Solutions

by Al Derrick, MG


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Copyright 2006 MBMG. All rights reserved

Advanced Training, Volunteer Opportunities and Other Eventsby Sharon Ettinger, MG 00 & Sharon Tyler, MG

G A R D E N I N G O N T H E E D G E Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

For 12 issues, send $15 to:Master Gardeners Newsletter1432 Freedom Blvd.Watsonville, CA 95076http://montereybaymg/ucdavis.edu

Hotline: 831-763-8007Ad rates: $25 per month from gardeningoriented businesses.Address change: contact Robin Sanders at726-1942 or [email protected].

Editor: Joan McLeod Mertz

Assistant Editor:Design/Layout: Christina Kriedt and

Robin SandersCirculation: Crystal BertheauStaff: Bonnie PondAl Derrick Natalie ChamblissTom Karwin Mary KochChristina Kriedt Jan OlafssonKari Olsen Nancy RuizKathleen Sonntag Sharon TylerStuart Walzer Ellen WrightSpecial Thanks Cheri Callis

Sat., May 6, 9:30-4:15,Integrated Pest Management with SeanSwezey, UCCE classroom, Watsonville.Sun., May 7, 12:30 pm, Controlling Gophers, Moles & Voles

WithoutPoisons. Thomas Wittman, well-known gopher catcher andowner of Gophers Limited will give a hands-on workshop. Classsize limited to 45. Call 831-427-2998 to register. UCSC Arboretum.$20 members/$25 non-members.

Sat., May 13, 10-1, Solar Applications in the Garden, ThomasWittman discusses ways to incorporate solar-powered lights,pumps, and more into your garden or farm. Louise Cain Gatehouse,UCSC Farm. $15 members/$20 non-members.Sat., May 20, 9:30-12:30,Berries with Mark Bolda, 1:15-4:15,PlantFamilies Presentation from 2006 class, UCCE classroom,Watsonville.May 20, 1-3, Wormshop, Grey Bears Recycling Facility, 2710Chanticleer, Santa Cruz, $15 materials fee for worms and bin, Callto reserve. 831-427-3452.

Thurs., May 25, 1:30 pm,Native Plant ID Workshop . Learn tokey out native plants using the Jepson Manual. Bring book if youhave it, and 7x or 10x hand lens. No experience necessary. Classes

run each 4th Thursday of the month, Jan. through Oct., UCSCArboretum, Free.

Volunteer OpportunitiesSat., May 20, 9-1, Cooper Historic Garden Plant Sale, Cooper-Molera Adobe, Monterey. Come volunteer and help tell othersabout the Master Gardener program. Contact Judy Falkner, MG 00.

Sat., May 27,MBMG Tour Gardens Workday. Mark your calendar

now. Details will follow via email for our first scheduled workdaySee you there!

Other Garden EventsSat., May 6, 10-3, Sun., May 6, 10-2, UCSC Farm & Garden

Spring Plant Sale. Organically grown flower, herb and vegetablestarts, perennials, roses, grasses, and other landscape plants.

(Members have pre-entry priority from 9-10 am on Sat., May 6.Memberships and renewals are available the morning of the sale,beginning at 8:30). Barn Theater parking lot, corner of Bay & Higstreets, 831-459-3240.

Sun., May 7, 10-5,Bringing Back the Natives Tour. A free tour showcase native plant gardens in the East Bay. Registration isrequired in order to receive a guidebook and directions. http://wwbringingbackthenatives.net/

Sat., May 13, 9-5 & Sun., May 14, 9-3, Cabrillo College Spring

Plant Sale,(pre-sale Fri., May 12, 3-7 for members, $25memberships available at the gate). Over 1000 different annuals,bedding plants, culinary & medicinal herbs, cut flowers, natives,perennials, salvias, species & hybrid fuchsias, succulents and vine

Horticulture Center, (top of campus) 831-477-5671, http://www.cabrillo.edu/academics/horticulture/plant_sale/plantsale.html

Sat., May 20 & Sun., May 21,Home, Garden & Gourmet ShowBonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. This wonderful show takeplace throughout the park and is free with park admission. For moinformation visit http://www.svshows.com/.

Sat., June 10, 11-1, Class of 2006 Graduation!, UCCE ClassrooWatsonville.

Documents

Gardening on the Edge Newsletter, May 2006 ~ Monterey Bay Master Gardeners