Conejo Valley Botanic GardenJune Bulletin

Sandy Krutilek, Editor June 2015

Heart Leaf Geranium(Pelargonium cordifolium)

Kids’ Adventure Garden

Heart Leaf GeraniumAt last, a drought tolerant shade plant with orchid shaped blossoms that bloom from January to mid summer! This plant, discovered in Cape Town, South Africa, was introduced to the Royal Botanic Gardens by Francis Masson in 1774. Today, it is considered rare and difficult to find. The 2” flowers are pink with magenta markings on the petals. The heart leaf geranium has velvety, heart-shaped leaves with the scent of apple. Additionally, it is seaside and salt tolerant. The Kids’ Adventure Garden has fine examples of this easy to grow rarity.

Butterfly BushDuring the Victorian-era, explorers brought all kinds of exotic plants back to England. From China came seeds of Buddleia davidii, the hardy species that is most familiar to gardeners today. Named after French Jesuit missionary, Pere Armand David, the seeds reached London's Kew Gardens in 1896. Horticulturists are still combing the Himalayan foothills for as-yet undiscovered Buddleia varieties.

The butterfly bush is a magnet for all the butterflies who pass through the garden seeking nectar. In fact, many butterfly gardeners plan their garden around Buddleia davidii. There are many different types, so the plant characteristics and color can vary. Butterfly bushes are drought tolerant and easy to grow!

-Sandy Krutilek-

Butterfly Bush(Buddleia davidii)

Ceanothus, or California Wild Lilac, is an evergreen, native plant that has gotten a bad reputation for a few reasons: None very serious, some completely false. Please read on with an open mind.

First of all, its new growth is considered ‘tasty’ by deer. Not always, but lower-growing species should be protected when young and tender. “It takes a while to ‘take hold’ and branch out.” Ok, gardening is about patience. Once its root system matures, it will likely surprise you, so don’t pull it out yet! A little judicious pruning once it’s well-established (in late spring) will help the plant to fill out. It has been said that Ceanothus is a short-lived plant. This is a rumor that was likely spread by gardeners who lost the shrub by insisting on drip irrigation, summer watering and soil amendments, all of which are totally unnecessary in the case of this very undemanding shrub! Summer water should be administered infrequently the first year while the plant is developing. Wild Lilac can usually sustain a 20-30 span in a native garden with very minimal water.

Leaves turning yellow...if you are overwatering or there is a lot of rain (not likely); you are using amended soil or fertilizer, you will see yellow leaves. If you can answer “none of the above” and it is springtime, remember that Ceanothus drops old leaves while it is pushing new growth. This is nothing to worry about.

Pests... Ceanothus actually has a very low pest incidence. The Hyalophora euryalus or, Ceanothus silkmoth is a large moth species (3-5” wingspan) whose female glues its eggs singly or in clumps on the leaves of the host plant. The eggs hatch in 9-14 days and caterpillars eat the leaves. The cocoon is spun on the outer part of the host plant and attached to a twig by one half of its length. It is an interesting life cycle and most likely won’t destroy your entire plant. Besides, this moth is a beauty!

There are many different varieties of Ceanothus, from groundcovers to various sizes of shrubs. The thyrse inflorescence appears in late winter to early spring and ranges in color from frosty white to deep cobalt blue. The foliage comes in many hues of green but there are also variegated hybrids (and these actually have yellow edges on the foliage, see photo above). It is a sturdy plant if we take the time to understand what’s important to keep it healthy. To review various species and hybrids, check out:

http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/ceanothus/california_ceanothus.html

What’s in a Name? by Diane Conejo

Seen Around the Garden

Pacific Coast IrisPhoto by Joseph Scarpine

AmaryllisPhoto by Jim Cyr

Hummingbird Sage(Salvia spatacea)

California Native GardenPhotos by Jim Cyr

Sweetshade Tree(Hymenosporum flavum)

Australian Garden

Flannel Bush(Fremontodendron

californicum)

California Pitcher Sage

(Lepechinia Calycina)

PLANT SALES

Good selection of waterwise plants, succulents, cactus, treesorchids and bromiliads are now available

Plant sales are held every Sunday at the CVBG from 10:30-2:30 in the area next to the Kids' Adventure Garden, located at 350 W. Gainsborough Rd. California natives, hardy, water wise perennials, shrubs, trees and succulents, reasonably priced are available. CVBG volunteers will be happy to help you with selections and share their expertise.

Irene Benyoung is willing, by special  appointment only, to meet customers at the Plant Sale area on Wednesdays. Please contact her by e-mail to make an appointment. ibenyoung@yahoo.com

BIRTHDAY PARTIES(March-September)

SATURDAY Birthday Parties are available. Email Kathy at erwinkathy@yahoo.com.SUNDAY Birthday Parties are available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Email Jim Cyr at jcyr22@hotmail.com. Volunteers are needed to help with the Sunday parties. The volunteer hours are from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

LEARN FLOWER DESIGNLearn Flower Design in the Sogetsu Style. Develop creative self-expression through flower arrangement and learn the beauty of line and space. Keiko (Camille) Van Ast holds a First Teacher’s degree from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Tokyo, Japan. She has studied Ikebana for more than 25 years.

For Registration call Camille at 805-498-7421Classes will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month

9:00-11:30 a.m. in theKids’ Adventure Garden

Classes are ongoingA one time fee of $25 for a textbook is required.

Class fee of $25 per class includes the flower fee of $10

Want to Help us Grow?                               Do you love Conejo Valley Botanic Garden and would like to help, but just don't have the time to volunteer?  Even though much of the work you see going on in the garden is done by volunteers, we still have expenses for planting, heavy pruning and new improvements.  These projects are funded through grants and donations from the community.  If you would like to help us grow, tax deductible donations are always welcome and may be made out and sent to Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 400 W. Gainsborough, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Thanks for all your support!    

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden Needs You! The Garden is managed and maintained by community volunteers.  Without your help, the garden cannot thrive. None of the volunteer positions at CVBG has a minimum number of volunteer hours attached.  If you can help for a few hours a month, great!  For more information on any of our volunteer opportunities, please go to our web site at www.conejogarden.org and click “Volunteers.”

WE CURRENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:Adopt A Garden:  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to join the teams working in our theme gardens.  Days and hours are flexible so give us a call.Garden Nursery:  There is no better way to learn about California native and water wise plants than to join the teams working in the propagation and sales nurseries.The Kids Adventure Garden:  KAG is open from 11:00 to 3:00 each Sunday.  Docentswelcome families to the garden, answer questions and ensure everyone is safe

and has fun.  You will train with an experienced Docent.  You can sign up for one shift a month or as many as you want.

Email: conejogarden350@live.com   

For information and directions to the garden, visit our web site at www.conejogarden.org.

June 2015