Your Favorite Plants Improved for California

In Paul Westervelt ’s article on perennial upgrades , he explicate the benefit of stepping out of your comfort zone and try new versions of tried - and - on-key plant :

“ After whiffing a few times , consumers and pros likewise may be tempted but to stick to time - tested varieties . But some of those variety are n’t what they once were . In other vitrine , they ’ve been upgraded in meaningful ways that ameliorate the horticulture experience — estimable habit , recollective flush time , heighten disease impedance . Before you swear off raw flora forever , believe these definitive rise . ”

To help you find plant that wo n’t make you say , “ Ugh , I should have just stuck with the original , ” we asked regional expert to pick four improved versions of rooter - favorite plants . All of these flora have at least one of the characteristics that Paul lists above — good habit , longer bloom time , raise disease resistance — and sometimes all three . Find improved plants for California below , and for even more improved classics , ascertain out Paul ’s article8 Better Perennial plant to Grow Over the Classic Varieties .

1. ‘Blue Heron’ corydalis

Name:Corydalis curvifloravar.rosthornii‘Blue Heron’

Zones:6–8b

Size:8 to 10 in marvellous and 9 to 12 inch wide

condition : Full Lord’s Day ( sea-coast ) to partial tincture ( inland ) ; equally moist , well - drained soil

aboriginal range : China

How can anyone resist the tempting ‘ Blue Heron ’ corydalis?Its smoky foliage duo with gentian blue flower on red stem to evoke a sultry feeling . Discovered by Dan Hinkley in Sichuan , China , ‘ Blue Heron ’ blooms from late spring through autumn . It produce well as a ground cover under trees in a woodland figure , combining nicely with froth flower ( Tiarellaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) and navelwort ( Omphalodesspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) . Heavy mulching with shredded sequoia barque easy discourage lick and snail . Providing summertime water will keep it rich and bloom through surrender .

2. ‘Prairie Fire’ vine maple

Name:Acer circinatum‘Prairie Fire’

Zones:5–9

Size:6 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide

status : Full sun ( coast ) to partial tone ( inland ) ; mean territory

aboriginal range : North American west coast

Create firework in your garden with the flyspeck ‘ PrairieFire ’ vine maple . But do n’t allow its bantam size fool you ; this cultivar of the native vine maple , which is found growing throughout the redwood forests of coastal Northern California , burst with exciting color . Light green , lacy - textured leave of absence bunch on branches that are orange - reddened . Not vinelike at all , the tree has an open vase shape . When autumn arrives , the foliage turn yellow before dropping . Colorful twigs and branch extend wintertime interest after . Summer watering is a must for this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to look its expert and remain healthy . It tolerates a wide range of stain types .

3. ‘Purple Haze’ catmint

Name:Nepeta‘Purple Haze’

Zones:6–10

Size:4 to 10 inches marvelous and 30 inches wide

Conditions : Full sunlight ; well - drained soil

Native range : Hybrid

This bold catnip deserves prize positioning in a pollinator garden . bee and butterfly stroke likewise love the loose clustering of purple flowers that endure well above the vain hammock of foliage . The soft 2 - inch - long leaf are heavily textured with gorgeous veining throughout . A lean silvery sheen to the foliage makes ‘ Purple Haze ’ glow quietly . Unlike other catmints , this one holds its condition well all summer long and does not burst in the center of attention as the time of year progresses . summertime lacrimation and a light shearing of expend flower is all that is required to keep ‘ Purple Haze ’ rightful to form through autumn .

4. ‘Cavatine’ Japanese andromeda

Name:Pieris japonica‘Cavatine’

Zones:5–8b

Size:2 feet grandiloquent and 3 foot wide

Native chain of mountains : Eastern China , Taiwan , Japan

This tidy , well - behaved andromeda quietly rests until leap . Then short cascades of pure white flowers tumble forward and it becomes all buzzing with bumblebees . ‘ Cavatine ’ Japanese andromeda ’s pleasantly plump down habit of leathery green leaves creates a soothing notion in an inland shaded garden . A duncish planting serve up well as a low shrub border . ‘ Cavatine ’ really shines when combine with a Nipponese maple ( Acer palmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) or katsura tree diagram ( Cercidiphyllum japonicum , Zones 4–8 ) . For the best operation , use an acidic plant food , and add an iron - ground fertiliser if the leave become pale . Also , keep it well irrigate during the summer months . episodic , minimal pruning will keep it in shape .

Horticulturist Terry Kramer is site coach for Humboldt Botanical Garden in Eureka , California .

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Improved Favorites for California

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‘Blue Heron’ corydalis

Photo: courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries Inc.

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