hide that (ugly) wall 2012

© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native PlantsProject 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 PreserveNovember 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

http://s1046.photobucket.com/albums/b463/abecoley/art%20fall%202011/?action=view&current=DSC02438.jpg

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.htmlhttp://www.classicmurals.com/galleriffic-2.0/classic_murals_garden_patio.html

Even chain-link fences can be works of art

© Project SOUNDhttp://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/

http://www.archidir.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/The-Barrow-Timber-House-Mural-Fence-design-Sustainable-House-by-Andrew-Maynard-Architects-in-Melbourne.jpg

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsaystephenson/4736991671/

http://garden-designs.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/perennial-garden-design.jpg





Cover/re-face it with something nice – clad it

Hide/camouflage it:


Hide it in plain sight – plant something interesting in from of it


© 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

http://cdn1.pacifichorticulture.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Cannon.01.jpg

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 SOUNDhttp://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

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 SOUNDhttp://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






Hide/camouflage it:


Hide it in plain sight – plant something interesting in from of it


© 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

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

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

http://cdn2.pacifichorticulture.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Cannon.09.jpg






Hide/camouflage it:


Hide it in plain sight – plant (put) something interesting in front of it


© Project SOUNDhttp://my.gardenguides.com/forums/topic/14267?page_no=3

© 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

© 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

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 gardenshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/briweldon/5209373967/

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.htmlhttp://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/landscaping/design/ChainReaction.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

Currants & gooseberries – Ribes – make good smaller espaliers

© Project SOUNDhttp://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

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 laxativehttp://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 monthshttp://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

© 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






Hide/camouflage it:


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

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

© 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


© 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


© 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

© 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 capensisNative to Australia Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera 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?6434,6454,6455Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© 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

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 varietieshttp://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Lonicera+involucrata+var.+ledebourii

var. ledebourii

var. involucrata

© 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/winterImage © 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. ledebouriihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsullivan/731696039/

© 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/ippsna/Denver/PPT-PDF/Buzzo.pdf

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)

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

© 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






Somewhere in between

Hide/camouflage it:


Hide it in plain sight – plant / place something interesting in front of it


© Project SOUND©2010 Lynn Watson

hide that (ugly) wall 2012

Education

plants project sound

possibilities project

year project sound

wa project sound

project soundhttp

new fence

light colors project

homelosangeles project