Hide that Ugly Wall - Notes
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Transcript of Hide that Ugly Wall - Notes
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND – 2012 (our 8th year)
© Project SOUND
Hide That (Ugly) Wall
or Fence
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
November 3 & 6, 2012
The ugly wall/fence: we’ve all seen them
© Project SOUND
http://www.movoto.com/real-estate/homes-for-sale/CA/Long-Beach/6147-
Brayton-Ave-203_P828073.htm
http://chrissuh.com/find-a-home/los-angeles/
What options do I have?
© Project SOUND
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Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover it with something nice – clad it
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant / place something interesting in front of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND
Wall art/murals can make a strong statement
© Project SOUND
http://www.mcgonaglestudio.com/otherExpressions.php
http://decorateyourfence.com/Fence_Murals.html http://www.classicmurals.com/galleriffic-2.0/classic_murals_garden_patio.html
Even chain-link fences can be works of art
© Project SOUND http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancawonka/2326986871/
So most fences can be turned into
the equivalent of an artist’s
canvas
Modernizing old
walls with additions
& tasteful color
© Project SOUND
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t698367.html
http://rhsblog.co.uk/category/garden-trellis-to-offer-privacy-for-walls-or-a-fence-london/
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Weigh the pros/cons of
making your wall a focal point
Pros Unique look – can literally
make a yard come alive
Adds colors not available in plant world
Can be an artistic adventure
Cons Need to be an artist – or
hire one
Difficult to plant around – dominates the landscape
May get tired of it
© Project SOUND
http://www.abecoley.com/murals
http://muralsforyou.net/category/backyard-mural/
http://www.archidir.com/house-design/sustainable-barrow-timber-house-design-by-andrew-
maynard-in-melbourne/
http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?p=15751
Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover/re-face it with something nice – clad it
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant something interesting in from of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND
Put up a new fence in front of it
Pros May help keep the peace with your
neighbor – s/he keeps the old one
Looks nice and new – your choice of style
Don’t need to remove old fence
Con Cost
?? wastefull
© Project SOUND
http://sunshinecontractingcorp.com/fencing/composite-vinyl/
http://www.sousaironworks.com/wood.htm
Maybe you don’t need to re-fence the
whole area
Save the expensive fencing material for areas that are focal points
Some ideas: a large freestanding screen, arch or arbor; a fountain; wall art; shelves to hold flower pots; a large tile mosaic picture
© Project SOUND
http://www.jmsfeatures.com/
http://www.houzz.com/wall-trellis-design/ls=4
http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.com/2010/06/privacy-screen-project-final-reveal.html
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Or maybe you can find a more
economical solution
You may not need a whole new fence – just something to cover it
By making less of a statement with the fence/wall, you have more room for creative use of plants
© Project SOUND
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/products/fencing-gates/bamboo.html
http://www.landscapingla.com/patios/hidden-backyard-patio/
Re-facing/covering
an old wall
We tend to think of stucco (we do live in the California, after all); many more options
Pros: Cost – may be less than a new
fence/wall; small jobs can be done by the home-owner
Durability
Can be an important design element
Usually easy to combine with plants – more backdrop than focal point
Cons: Not appropriate for all house styles
Usually light colors
© Project SOUND
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/build-a-concrete-block-wall-the-easy-way-
with-quikrete-quikwall/
Fence cladding – hiding the wall/fence
Fence cladding : any material that is affixed to the front of the fence/wall to disguise it or to create more privacy.
Pros: hide an ugly, tired looking fence that
is in otherwise good condition
Can be much cheaper than replacing the fence altogether
No negotiating a new fence with a neighbor (who may be perfectly happy with what’s already there!).\
Better fit with some home styles – more possibilities © Project SOUND
http://article.wn.com/view/2012/05/30/Former_Rockwall_mayor_
Bill_Cecil_in_runoff_for_county_Commis/
Cladding materials Bamboo cladding – Comes as rolls of bamboo reeds that are fixed together, or as thicker bamboo rods. Environmentally friendly; perfect for a tropical look.
Timber cladding – Perennially popular - natural beauty of timber never goes out of style. Timber cladding can be applied vertically or horizontally and it can be left natural or painted, depending on your goals and preferences.
Lattice cladding – relatively inexpensive and good for growing plants on/in front of. Readily available & easy to install. Can be painted/stained to accentuate or make it disappear.
© Project SOUND http://rhsblog.co.uk/2012/07/02/cedar-timber-batten-cladding-trellis-privacy-screen/
http://besthomedecorators.com/solid/solid-black-bamboo-fences.html
http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/woodcare/latticepanelinstallation.htm
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Cladding materials:
more choices all the time
Stone cladding/veneer – Expensive but nice looking. Stone cladding uses thin pieces or “tiles” of stone that are attached to the fencing surface in some ways, and you can choose from a variety of natural stones.
Brick veneer/cladding
Vinyl/plastic siding
Fiber cement siding/panels – Cheap, long lasting and effective. Easily attached to existing fence; very strong. This means that you can fix things directly to the cladding and paint it the color of your choice.
Metal cladding
© Project SOUND http://clippings.com/projects/extension-and-refurbishment-of-badies-health-centre-4951
Some ideas to make your wall/fence a garden accent
Screens mounted on to a wall to create an interesting feature. Laser-cut steel screens come in many patterns and options, with finishes including rust, stainless steel and powder-coated colors for design highlights.
Garden art is popular and there are many options, including three-dimensional wall panels. Choose the colors carefully and ensure the sculpture finish is suitable.
Lighting will create interesting effects and the options with colored LEDs can transform and improve the look of an ugly wall at night.
© Project SOUND
http://www.ottawahort.org/2009may27tour.htm
http://www.decorfortheoutdoors.com/outdoor-wall-decor.html
Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover it with something nice – clad it
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant something interesting in from of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND
Paint/stain can accentuate or hide a fence or wall
A coat of paint gives your fence a new look and hides any blemishes
Certain colors help the fence blend into the surroundings, making it less noticeable; others accent it.
To camouflage the fence with paint, consider the colors in the surrounding landscape.
A dark gray-green or gray-brown color helps the fence blend in with existing plants.
The dark color often seems to disappear and makes other elements of your landscape, including plants and your home, the focal point
© Project SOUND
http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com/news/?cat=130
In general, matt or semi-gloss
paints blend in better than shiny
textures
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What fades into nothing in this wall art?
© Project SOUND
http://www.rhinoink.ca/murals/murals-floral.html
Answer: the colors that blend in with the natural landscape beyond
The disappearing fence
© Project SOUND
http://www.creatingabeautifulworld.org/
Basic principles (for hiding a wall/fence with color):
1. Darker is better (looks like shadows)
2. Grayer is better (looks like in the distance)
3. Match darker areas in the surrounding landscape – bring color chips home
© Project SOUND
http://www.digginfood.com/2010/08/gutter-gardens/ http://www.metalmates.com.au/html/colorbond_fencing.html
http://www.housetohome.co.uk/room-idea/picture/country-gardens-10-of-the-best/9
Privacy slats
Privacy slats come in either metal or plastic vinyl.
These slats are threaded through the links of the chain to create screening.
Privacy slats now come in a variety of style, textures, and color including faux "hedge" slats and ones that offer total privacy.
Privacy slats average $3 to $4 a linear foot for a 6" fence.
© Project SOUND
http://www.ricksfencing.com/blog/chain-link-fencing-not-just-for-baseball-diamonds/
http://www.macsfence.com/chainlink.html
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The same color principles apply to privacy slats
© Project SOUND
http://www.pexco.com/pages/PexcoFenceFeatherLock.aspx
http://besthomedecorators.com/black/black-vinyl-coated-chain-
link-fence-with-privacy-slats-flickr.html
Why is she spending all this time on
fences/walls?
© Project SOUND
Because hardscape – including fences/walls
– sets the stage for the garden
Hardscape sets the stage…
© Project SOUND
http://garden-designs.org/2011/07/04/perennial-garden-design/ http://www.hortuscapes.com/CLWclassslides.html
Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover it with something nice – clad it
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant (put) something interesting in front of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND http://my.gardenguides.com/forums/topic/14267?page_no=3
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© Project SOUND
Bladderpod – Cleome isomeris/ Isomeris arborea
© Project SOUND
Bladderpod – Cleome isomeris/ Isomeris arborea
CA, AZ and Baja
Literally from the shore to the eastern deserts in S. California
Wide habit distribution hills, bluffs, and stabilized
dunes of the sea coast Hills and desert washes at
the desert edges.
CA’s only member of the Caper family (Capparaceae)
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Isomeris+arborea
© Project SOUND
Size:
2-10 ft tall (usually 3-6 ft)
3-6+ ft wide
Growth form: Woody shrub; spreading shape
Develops interesting gnarled branches with age – very decorative (like bonsai tree)
Moderate growth rate; moderately long-lived (30+ years in Zone 1-2 or 2)
Foliage: Medium-textured
Light gray-green; nice color
Unusual odor when crushed
Drought deciduous
Roots: long taproot – don’t move once established
Characteristics of Bladderpod
© Project SOUND
Bladderpod is well suited for the water-wise
garden
Soils: Texture: must be well-drained;
likes a sandy or rocky soil
pH: any local, including very alkali
Light: full sun
Water: Winter: resents too much
water; may need to plant on berm if drainage is poor
Summer: Zone 1-2 to 2 (will retain leaves); very drought tolerant – don’t over-water!!
Fertilizer: none
tolerates seaside conditions
(salt-spray; wind) but will be
smaller, shorter
Rejuvenate an old plant by coppicing
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© Project SOUND
Bladderpod’s flowers and pods are fantastic
Blooms: A little bit year-round
Feb-May is main bloom season in coastal lowlands
Flowers: Unusual and showy – many
flowers at one time
Bright yellow, bell-shaped; exserted anthers (male parts)
very attractive to bees (it’s main pollinators) and hummingbirds
Seeds: Inflated, bladder-like pod
Large seeds; may reseed if happy
Bladderpod is a perfect ‘attention grabber’
Attractive color foliage
Unusual and/or attractive shape
Nice bark
Pretty flowers/funky pods
Wonderful wildlife visiting/ feeding at it
Who has time to notice the fence !!!
© Project SOUND
Another good choice would be a manzanita
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
* Baja Birdbush – Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia
© 2005 TRNERR P. Roullard
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Very limited range (narrow endemic) : San Diego Co. and N. Baja
In Chaparral from 180-2500‘
listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.
© Project SOUND
* Baja Birdbush – Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3582,3583
©2005 TRNERR P. Roullard © Project SOUND
An unusual and lovely shrub of small tree
Size: 6-10 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Growth form: Erect, multi-branched evergreen
shrub
Reddish-brown bark; peels in thin sheets to expose smooth, white or gray-green stems – hence the common name ‘Palo blanco’;
Foliage: thick, linear leaves - shiny green
above and pale green beneath
Looks almost like an olive
© 2005 TRNERR P. Roullard
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained, rocky
pH: any local except alkali
Light: Full sun best
Part-sun OK
Water: Winter: adequate
Summer: looks best with occasional water (Zone 2 ore 1-2) but very drought tolerant.
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: leaf mulch/self-mulch
© Project SOUND
Garden uses for Palo
Blanco
As a unique and rare specimen plant – like a manzanita
As a small tree – somewhat like Crepe Myrtle in architecture
In a white/moonlight garden
Does well in large pots
Can even make an informal hedge
Good for hot gardens
http://www.flickr.com/photos/briweldon/5209373967/
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Hiding in plain
sight really works!
© Project SOUND
Walls/fences can provide
food and beauty
Hanging pots/planters with greens, herbs
Used to support melons & other vines
Fruit trees espaliered along a wall
© Project SOUND
http://monkeyfister.blogspot.com/2009_04_26_archive.html
http://www.bellewood-gardens.com/2006/Garden%20Writers'%20Get-Together.html http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/landscaping/design/Chai
nReaction.aspx
Espaliers First introduce in the Roman times
and later mastered in the European Middle Ages, espaliers were a way of planting fruit trees and berry-bearing shrubs in limited spaces (small courtyards) because they are trained to grow vertically along flat surfaces.
They can be created using fruit trees and/or selected native shrubs/trees (need to have proper growth structure)
Great use of narrow spaces
An espalier can add color, texture, smell and many other elements to a dull wall/fence.
© Project SOUND
http://thisbountifulbackyard.com/2012/05/13/mothers-day-trip-to-
chicago-botanic-garden/
Espaliered Fremontodendron – England & CA
© Project SOUND
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/02/stunning-flannel-bush-comes-with-prickly-
problems.html
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Currants & gooseberries – Ribes – make
good smaller espaliers
© Project SOUND http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/a-currant-affair/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/4492039839/
Espaliers can be formal or informal
© Project SOUND
http://gardenista.com/posts/driveway-fruit-tarts-a-love-story
Espaliers require
support & pruning
© Project SOUND
http://www.featurepics.com/online/Espalier-Tree-Trellis-1629138.aspx
‘Ray Hartman’ Ceanothus
http://www.julieorrdesign.com/ten-attractive-native-garden-allstars
© Project SOUND
* Cascara – Frangula (Rhamnus) purshiana
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Western North America from southern British Columbia south to central California, and inland to western Montana
Rich bottom lands, sides of canyons, usually in coniferous forests; moist soils
Closely related to other Frangula like Coffeeberry
© Project SOUND
* Cascara – Frangula (Rhamnus) purshiana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_purshiana
Susan McDougall @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
© Project SOUND
Cascara: Coffee Berry-like, but big
Size: 20-30 ft tall
20-30 ft wide
Growth form: Large, winter-deciduous shrub or
small tree
Short trunk – many stout, upright branches
Outer bark is brownish to silver-grey; twigs red-brown
Dense growth
Foliage: Leaves large, simple: shiny green
above, yellow in fall
Handle all parts with gloves – strong laxative
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_purshiana
© Project SOUND
Flowers small – fruits showy
Blooms: in spring - usually April-May
Flowers: Small, yellow-green; you have to
look to see them
Insect pollinated – good bee plant
Fruits:
Rather like Coffeeberry
Ripen late summer/fall
Very pretty – and loved by birds, bears and other critters
Seeds: Large
Easy to germinate with proper stratification: 3-4 months
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_purshiana © Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: most
pH: any local
Light: Sun along coast; part-shade
probably best in most gardens
Can take quite shady conditions
Water: Winter: water in dry spells
Summer: likes regular water – Water Zone 2-3 or 3 (good near a neighbor who waters a lot)
Fertilizer: light doses fine; best with leaf litter/leaf mulch
Other: prune to shape when young
http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=57199
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© Project SOUND
Cascara in the garden
Nice specimen tree
Good for informal hedge/hedgerow
Can espalier along a wall
Great for damp, shady spots – for example to north of pines
Great wildlife plant
© 1989, Clayton J. Antieau
© 2004, Ben Legler
©2012 Vernon Smith
Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover it with something nice – clad it
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant/place something interesting in front of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND
http://londonmarkets.overblog.com/tag/News
‘Living walls’ are
becoming popular
Vines and climbers are age-old solutions
to hiding an ugly wall/fence
© Project SOUND
http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/2011/04/infinity-fountain-installed-body-broken.html
http://landscaping.about.com/od/galleryoflandscapephotos/ig/Fence-
Pictures/Roses-Hiding-Chain-Link-Fences.htm
Grapes are a classic way to hide a wall
© Project SOUND
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The wall at Madrona was pretty dull
before ‘Roger’s Red’ came to town
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
The Honeysuckles (Lonicera species)
Arching shrubs or twining vines Family Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle
family) Native to the Northern Hemisphere. ~ 180 species, mostly from China (~
100 species); ~ 20 native to N. America.
Common garden vines: Lonicera japonica (Japanese
Honeysuckle, White Honeysuckle) Lonicera sempervirens (Coral
Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle) Local Natives: Lonicera hispidula,
Lonicera subspicata
Many species have sweetly-scented, bell-shaped flowers that produce a sweet, edible nectar.
Honeysuckles can be
trained to cover a
fence/wall
Foliage of many species used medicinally
Hummingbirds love the flowers !!!!.
The fruit is a red, blue or black berry containing several seeds; in most species the berries are mildly poisonous, but our local native have edible berries, and birds will eat most honeysuckle berries.
The foliage is eaten by the larvae of some butterfly & moth species
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
* Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciliosa
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa
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© Project SOUND
* Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciliosa
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2874,2877,2879
A plant of the Pacific Northwest – British Columbia to Northern CA and east to Montana
North slopes and creek and river banks, mostly in moist forested areas
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa © Project SOUND
Orange Honeysuckle -
a twining vine
Size: to 15+ ft long
Growth form: Semi-woody vine/climbing shrub
Creeping, trailing, climbing or twining habit – usually grows through other plants
Old vines can kill trees – kind of like a boa constrictor
Foliage: Medium to dark green, paired
simple leaves
Winter deciduous
Roots: trailing stems will root where they touch the ground
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Lonicera_ciliosa.html
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa
© Project SOUND
Flowers are fantastic
Blooms: in spring - usually May-June in our area
Flowers: Usually red-orange; may be
more yellow-orange
Trumpet-shape – typical of the Honeysuckles
In very showy clusters – this plant is a show-stopper in bloom
Hummingbirds love them!!
Berries:
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Lonicera_ciliosa.html
© 1997 John Game
© Project SOUND
Orange Honeysuckle is for shady gardens…
Soils: Texture: just about any
pH: any including slightly acidic (under pines, firs)
Light: light shade to quite shady; this is a forest plant
Water: Winter: can take some flooding
Summer: likes moist soil – Zone 2-3 or even 3
Fertilizer: likes organic amendments/ richer soils
Other: cannot take heat
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Orange Honeysuckle lights up dark corners
of the garden
As an attractive pot plant
In a woodsy garden – like many of our ‘mature’ gardens
Sprawling over a wall or fence
As a groundcover under trees that need regular water
Any other place that is shady and gets a little regular water
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/ofp/lon_cil.htm
© Project SOUND
For garden vines, use
a native alternative…
Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis
Native to Australia Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciliosa
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Sp
ecies=ciliosa
© Project SOUND
Chaparral Clematis – Clematis lasiantha
http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/flowers/?display=display_table © Project SOUND
Chaparral Clematis – Clematis lasiantha
Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Western California, Southwestern California, Baja
Locally in San Gabriel & Santa Monica Mtns
Hillsides, chaparral, open woodlands, climbing over shrubs and low trees, near streams and in canyons to ~ 6000'
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500397
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6434,6454,6455
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
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© Project SOUND
Clematis = climber/sprawler
Size: 8-30 ft long
8 – 10 ft wide
Growth form: Vine or half-woody vine-
stemmed perennial
Stems scrambling to climbing; not as vigorous as C. ligusticifolia
Winter-deciduous
Foliage: Bright green leaves; leaves
are pinnately divided into three – typical for native Clematis
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLLA3 © Project SOUND
Flowers/seeds - remarkable
Blooms: In spring – generally Mar-
May
Flowers: Creamy white and yellow
Very showy; a mature vine can be covered
Attract hummingbirds & lots of other pollinators
Seeds: Have long, plume-like ‘tails’ –
very unusual, pretty.
Pretty easy to start from seed – cold-moist treat
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/vbowers2.htm
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: any well-drained; fine with sandy or clay
pH: any local – 5.0-8.0
Light: Likes shaded roots, sunny tops
Morning sun only in hot, dry gardens
Water: Winter: supplement if needed;
fine with winter flooding
Summer: occasional water – Water Zone 1-2 to 2; drought tolerant
Fertilizer: none needed/leaf mulch
Other: organic mulch
http://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/Ecosystem/FloraFauna/flowers.html
Prune back to 1 ft. above ground
every 3-5 years to rejuvenate
© Project SOUND
Clematis: habitat & more
As an attractive pot plant
to adorn a pergola or archway
quickly covers a fence or trellis
Nice addition to mixed hedgerow
Wonderful insect plant – attracts all kinds of little guys
http://www.gardenbuddies.com/forum/messages/64189/1246469.html
http://www.naturalhistoryclass.org/pid/images/Clematis_lasiantha.jpg
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Nothing softens a wall/fence like plants – but
they don’t all have to be vigorous vines
© Project SOUND
Sprawling perennials/sub-shrubs
Narrow screens, hedges & hedgerows
© Project SOUND
* Twinberry (Honeysuckle) – Lonicera involucrata
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/lonicera_involucrate.shtml
© Project SOUND
Twinberry (Honeysuckle) – Lonicera involucrata
Typically a plant of the Pacific Northwest
Ranges from AK to N. Mexico – east to CO & NM
In CA, a plant of northern and central mountains and coastal forests
Generally found in moist, shady places, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, Coastal Strand, Closed-cone Pine Forest, wetland-riparian
Two varieties
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Lonicera+involucrata+var.+ledebourii
var. ledebourii
var. involucrata
© Project SOUND
© 2004 Larry Blakely
var. involucrata in situ
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© Project SOUND
Twinberry Honeysuckle: depends on light
Size:
6-12 ft tall (can be pruned to 6’)
6-12 ft wide
Growth form: depends on light Sunnier locations: upright
shrub (sort of like Snowberry)
Shadier: more of a vine-like scrambler
Fast growth; winter-deciduous
Foliage: Simple leaves; pleasant color,
shiny above
Looks like a regular garden shrub
Roots: shallow, fibrous
Image © 2004, Ben Legler
http://web.mac.com/stone0579/iWeb/piaandco/Blog/F174E0C4-C7B2-4137-B55F-F9A88C9C038F.html
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: any, including sand
pH: best with 4.5-7.0
Light: Full sun only along coast
Part-sun is ideal; morning sun or high shade is perfect
Shadier: ok, but little flowering
Water: Winter: tolerates flooding
Summer: likes water – Zone 2-3 or 3
Fertilizer: fine with low-dose fertilizer of decomposing leaf compost
Other: organic mulch; dislikes heat; prune heavily in fall/winter
Image © 2004, Ben Legler
© Project SOUND
Flowers are pretty –
berries are showy
Blooms: mostly in spring – but a few in summer
Flowers: Tubular ‘hummingbird flowers’
Yellow or yellow-with-red
In pairs
Berries (drupes): Dark purple when ripe
Showy
Mildly toxic if eaten – taste bitter (kids esp. sensitive)
Fruit-eating birds eat them
© 2004 George W. Hartwell
var. involucrata
© 2005 George W. Hartwell
var. ledebourii © Project SOUND
Garden uses for Twinberry
As an accent shrub in moist areas of the garden – rain gardens, pond edges
As an informal or semi-formal hedge in shady areas
In a woodland garden
As a habitat shrub for birds
© 2004 Larry Blakely
var. involucrata
var. ledebourii
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsullivan/731696039/
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Other uses of Twinberry
Foliage Infusion of leaves used to bath sore
eyes and on skin sores, boils, itches
Infusion (and bark itself) used on wounds and as a dressing on burns
Infusion of bark ingested for chest complaints or as general tonic
Berries Used for gray and purple dyes for
fibers
Used to make a scalp topic, dandruff treatment and hair dye (to ‘keep away the gray’)
© 2007 Neal Kramer
Plant not used much now
© Project SOUND
Growing from cuttings
– it’s a honeysuckle
Semi-softwood cuttings in summer
Hardwood cuttings in fall
Layering in the garden
Keep in a shaded area
Use well-drained potting soil
Keep moist
http://www.ippswr.org/home/ipps
na/Denver/PPT-PDF/Buzzo.pdf
Climbing (Heartleaf) Penstemon - Keckiella cordifolia
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Keckiellas can hide a multitude of sins
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© Project SOUND
* Yellow Bush Penstemon – Keckiella antirrhinoides
© Project SOUND
Scarlet Keckiella – Keckiella ternata
©2011 Neal Kramer
Tehachapi Mountain Area, Transverse Ranges (San Gabriels), Peninsular Ranges
Dry slopes and canyons to 7000', chaparral, yellow pine forest, pinyon-juniper woodland
AKA Wand Penstemon; Whorl-leaf Penstemon; Whorl-leaf Keckiella; Blue Stemmed Keckiella; Summer Bush Penstemon
Looks like a Penstemon – but times have changed!
© Project SOUND
Scarlet Keckiella – Keckiella ternata
http://www.bonap.org/BONAPmaps2010/Keckiella.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aking1/7299555410/
Keckiella’s - once were Penstemons
Used to be called “bush penstemons”
David Keck segregated them into a separate subgenus, Hesperothamnus, in 1936.
They became Keckiella when studies showed that they differed from penstemons in having a hypogynous nectary disc
Name honors Keck (1903-1995), who did the first systematic treatment of the genus Penstemon. Keck is known for his work on experimental taxonomy and he collaborated with Philip Munz on A California Flora
© Project SOUND
Formerly placed in family
Scrophulariaceae (Figworts);
recently moved to
Plantaginaceae (Plantains)
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Former Scrophulariaceae (now Tribe Antirrhineae,
Family Plantaginaceae)
Antirrhinum L.
Asarina Mill.
Galvezia Dombey ex Juss.
Gambelia Nutt.
Keckiella
Linaria Mill.
Maurandella (A.Gray) Rothm.
Neogaerrhinum Rothm.
Nuttallanthus D.A.Sutton
Sairocarpus D.A.Sutton
© Project SOUND
Many have a common name that
includes ‘Snapdragon’ © Project SOUND
Scarlet Keckiella: bushy or viney
Size: 4-8 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Growth form: Drought-deciduous sub-shrub
Erect & shrub-like (sun)
Viney or wand-like (shade)
Local variety has waxy, blue-green stems
Foliage: Leaves simple, oblong, toothed
– become folded in dry weather
Nice, medium green
©2005 Aaron Schusteff
http://socalbutterflies.com/plants_html/keckiella_ternata.htm
© Project SOUND
Fiery red flowers
Blooms: spring-summer (sometime from May to Sept)
Flowers: Narrow, tubular
‘hummingbird flowers’ – 1-2 inches long; nice cut flowers
Scarlet to red-orange
In small, loose clusters along wand-like stems
Attract hummingbirds, long-tongued insects (butterflies; bees)
Seeds: Small; use fresh - need light
to germinate
Cold-moist treat 1-2 mo
©2011 Neal Kramer
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/keckiella-ternata-septentrionalis
© Project SOUND
Tough chaparral plant Soils:
Texture: most well-drained
pH: any local
Light: Full sun – compact, more
flowers
Part-shade (morning sun or high shade) - fine
Water: Winter: supplement as needed
Summer: chaparral treatment; occasional (once a month) summer water, esp. in August (monsoons)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: needs organic mulch – let leaf litter build up beneath
©2005 Aaron Schusteff
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© Project SOUND
Keckiellas: shot of color
As understory in a chaparral garden
On slopes and hillsides
Draped over a fence or wall
Lovely with purple penstemons, chaparral clematis or other Keckiellas
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/keckiella-ternata-septentrionalis
What options do I have?
© Project SOUND
Options for dealing with an ugly wall/fence
Turn it into a focal point
Paint it to create a design element
Put a new fence in front of it
Cover it with something nice – clad it
Somewhere in between
Hide/camouflage it:
Paint/cover it to make it disappear
Hide it in plain sight – plant / place something interesting in front of it
Camouflage/soften with plants
© Project SOUND ©2010 Lynn Watson
We hope you take away some ideas to
turn your (ugly) wall into a thing of beauty
© Project SOUND
1/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Let’s go out and see some plants!