Plant Highlights
Plant Highlights
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Euphorbia ammak ‘Variegata’
ghost euphorbia
Highlight Month:
October
Nativity:
Arabian Peninsula
Growth Habit:
Euphorbia ammak is also known as the African candelabra euphorbia (in spite of not growing on the African mainland), which accurately describes its growth as a central trunk with multiple branches. It can attain heights of 30 feet in its natural habitat.
Growing Requirements:
As with all succulent Euphorbia, the ghost euphorbia requires well-drained soil and full sun. This variegated form can tolerate some shade. Minimal water needs make it suitable for drier climates, but it can be successfully grown in a pot and protected from rain in wetter areas.
Features:
The variegation in this form is extreme, giving the whole plant a ghostly pallor.
Where at Lotusland:
Main Drive
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Begonia ‘Freddie’
Highlight Month:
October
Nativity:
Garden Origin
Growth Habit:
This begonia has large (about 1 inch diameter) creeping rhizomes. Large leaves arise along the length of the rhizome on long hairy petioles. Small, bright pink flowers are held in airy clusters above the foliage.
Growing Requirements:
Most begonias grow best in dappled shade or half sun and require even moisture. Brief exposure to light frost may burn the foliage. Freezing temperatures will kill the plant.
Features:
The large (up to 2 feet or more in diameter) leaves are glossy green on top and burgundy red underneath. This cultivar is a hybrid created by the famed Rudy Ziesenhenne by crossing Begonia manicata ‘Aureo-maculata’ with B. barkeri, and was named for one of his sons.
Where at Lotusland:
Fern Garden
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Quercus agrifolia
coast live oak
Highlight Month:
October
Nativity:
W. California to Mexico (N. Baja California)
Growth Habit:
Coast live oaks may grow to 50 or 60 feet, with a wide-spreading canopy many times that in great age. It is evergreen, dropping some of its old leaves in the dry period and growing new ones in the rainy season.
Growing Requirements:
This species is widely adapted; growing from the edge of riparian regions to grassy savannahs. It needs no supplemental irrigation, but can tolerate water in summer if given excellent drainage.
Features:
Oaks provide a multitude of resources to insects, birds and mammals. This month, the acorns are dropping; a major source of food for numerous insects, birds such as scrub jays and acorn woodpeckers as well as squirrels and other rodents.
Where at Lotusland:
Scattered throughout the garden, the oaks are a remnant of the native vegetation of the site. Lotusland staff protect and encourage seedlings that germinate in appropriate sites to preserve this resource.
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Zamia furfuracea
Cardboard Palm
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
Veracruz, Mexico
Growth Habit:
Forms a rosette of leaves 3-4 foot long tightly overlapping leaves.
Growing Requirements:
An easy to grow, adaptable cycad. Plant in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Water when dry; drought-tolerant once established.
Features:
The light green soft new leaves are very attractive, especially in contrast to the darker green mature foliage which has a stiff “cardboard” texture. Z. furfuracea makes a striking accent plant in the landscape, or an attractive container plant either indoors or on a patio.
Where at Lotusland:
Lotusland’s Zamia furfuracea are planted in the Cycad Garden along with several other Zamia species.
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Hakea petiolaris
sea urchin hakea
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
It is native to a small area in the southwest part of Western Australia.
Growth Habit:
A shrub or small tree growing to 20 feet tall. Flowers bloom in late fall – early winter.
Growing Requirements:
Grows best in sun with well-drained and preferably acidic soil. Drought-tolerant.
Features:
The common name refers to the flowers, which are arranged in round clusters of up to 200 pale pink flowers with long styles that resemble a sea urchin or pincushion. The flowers attract nectar-feeding birds. After the flowers are done, woody seed pods form which cling persistently along the branches. The leaves are oval, gray-green and come to a sharp point at the tip.
Where at Lotusland:
There is one specimen in the Australian Garden, directly across from the Visitor Center.
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Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’
pomegranate
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran to the Himalayas in India
Growth Habit:
Large shrubs or small trees, pomegranates are deciduous species of the Lythraceae, the plant family that also includes crapemyrtle and Cuphea.
Growing Requirements:
Pomegranates are drought tolerant and tolerate moderate frost (down to 14° F).
Features:
The seeds are covered with a brightly colored aril (usually red) that yields a tart juice. The juice is high in antioxidants and pomegranate juice products are enjoying an upsurge in popularity in the West. They have been cultivated for thousands of years in the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. ‘Wonderful’ is the pomegranate cultivar most commonly sold at grocery stores. It originates from the 1800’s in Florida and has larger fruit with a tangy flavor.
Where at Lotusland:
Deciduous Orchard and at the Cactus Garden entrance from the Olive Allée.
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Aloe ramosissima
maiden’s quiver tree
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
South Africa, Namibia
Growth Habit:
Single trunk producing many slender dichotomously-branched divisions.
Growing Requirements:
Aloe ramosissima is native to very dry habitats, where years may pass between rain events, and requires excellent drainage to thrive in wet winter areas such as Santa Barbara.
Features:
The clear yellow tubular flowers occur in dense inflorescences in late fall. Most aloes have orange to reddish flowers, so these are particularly striking.
Where at Lotusland:
In the Aloe Garden near the shell pond.
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Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya’
Hachiya persimmon
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
China
Growth Habit:
Rough-barked deciduous tree with large, ovate leaves that turn brilliant shades of red and orange in fall.
Growing Requirements:
Persimmons require moderate winters (greater than 0° F) and do best in warm, but not extremely hot summers. To set fruit, they need only 100 hours of chill time.
Features:
Brilliant fall foliage and fruit. This cultivar is one of the astringent varieties that must be completely ripened to develop its sweetness. Other varieties can be eaten when crisp or allowed to soften.
Where at Lotusland:
Deciduous Orchard
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Butia capitata
jelly palm
Highlight Month:
November
Nativity:
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
Growth Habit:
This palm grows as a single trunk (here several were planted closely so appear to be from one plant), with arching grey leaves. Slow growing, but drought tolerant and hardy to 10 degrees F. Some of the Butia capitata at Lotusland are hybrids with Jubaea chilensis.
Growing Requirements:
Plant in full sun and water regularly to establish.
Features:
The silvery gray foliage is handsome and the bright yellow or orange fruits in fall are not only decorative, but edible and the juice can be made into jelly.
Where at Lotusland:
Fern Garden, Aloe Garden, and Dracaena Circle
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Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’
Burford holly
Highlight Month:
December
Nativity:
Ilex cornuta is native to East Asia; ‘Burfordii’ is a cultivar developed from a sport discovered on a plant growing in a Georgia cemetery around 1900.
Growth Habit:
A tree to 15 ft tall and 10 ft wide. It naturally forms a dense shrub, but can be pruned into a small tree by removing the lower limbs. It is easily shaped, and can even be espaliered along a wall.
Growing Requirements:
Full sun or partial shade with regular watering. It is adaptable to different soil types, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Features:
Burford holly has glossy dark green leaves with only one spine on the tip. The small white flowers are not an important ornamental feature, but are followed by clusters of large red berries in fall that last for months. Unlike some types of holly, Burford holly is self-fertile and a single plant will have prolific fruit.
Where at Lotusland:
There are two specimens growing in the Arboretum, an area between the Aloe Garden and the Japanese Garden which has many unusual trees and shrubs.
