Is my Arbutus Marina okay?
Queen OfPrincesses
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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Queen OfPrincesses
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agoRelated Discussions
arbutus marina - cousin of strawberry tree
Comments (6)Chaste tree and other grayleaf plants would be less harmonious than others in similar shades of green to what you have listed as being in the planting already. I'd look into Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus), California lilac (Ceanothus)--these come in both tall and low--green leaved species of rockrose (Cistus), green leaved cultivars of sunrose (Helianthemum), things like that. Except for the buckthorn these all have plenty of flower power. And you can get the buckthorn in a white variegated version that might be quite pleasing with the pinkish color of the 'Marina' flowers. If you are near Seattle you can see Italian buckthorn in the hedge south of the parking at Good Shepherd Center (along with Viburnum tinus, another candidate to consider) or in the corner farthest from the entrance to Greenlake P.C.C. (near the black locust trees)....See Morearbutus marina
Comments (43)The Bremerton acacia shows signs of having frozen to the ground in the past and is of interest precisely because it is just about the only persisting one of much size known in the area. It is exceptional, like the azara in the UW Friendship Grove and the 50' eucryphia near Brian's place in Bremerton. Many others will have been planted elsewhere and frozen out in time. The late J. Witt of the Washington Park Arboretum once told me that there used to be a 50' eucryphia in a garden next door in the Broadmoor Golf and Country Club (most likely planted in the D. Graham garden) but it died in the awful 1955 freeze. An obvious difference between the two sites would be that the Broadmoor location is some miles from salt water, whereas the Bremerton site is quite close. If you are close to the beach the salt water keeps your minimum temperatures higher enough than even areas father inland but close by to make a difference in what you can overwinter. A cottage on Vashon just behind the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry dock has had a tall conspicuous abutilon for years. Even though this is a north exposure, apparently the salt water is keeping it from freezing out. I think I noticed it was still there during a recent visit even after this last winter, although the proof will of course be if it is seen blooming and full again this summer. One of the better embothriums I've seen was growing right behind the beach along a quite inlet west of Tacoma. It was the first bit of plant life behind the cobbles and sand, and was leaning towards the water as though responding to its proximity....See MoreArbutus Marina and some Manzanita
Comments (3)Zone 9 where? Really, the Sunset zone would provide a much clearer picture of your conditions. I live in Zone 9/Sunset 23. Clay soil can be a problem with Arbutus Marina. The lack of drainage makes them even more susceptible to Phytophthora. Even with good drainage, Phytophthora can be a heart breaker with these lovely plants. I have lost three growing in huge pots; one tree, in the ground (sandy soil), remains healthy (knock on wood). Arctostaphylos prefers sandy/rocky soils. Emerald Carpet also prefers acid soils. I haven't tried Emerald Carpet, but in my area (south Orange County CA), A. edmundsii ('Little Sur') and A. uva-ursi 'Point Reyes' are thriving in very bright shade/protected sun. The former beside a shed, and the 'Point Reyes' under Iceberg rose bushes. Not sure they would be thriving in full sun here. These are being irrigated with drip. Howards have not been easy in our garden. We have lost three out of four of the 1 gal. plants tried. But our watering system is drip, and these guys are known to hate drip. How are you planning to irrigate?...See MoreArbutus 'Marina' are we out of the woods?
Comments (54)Thanks... I'll keep my optimism and hope for the best for my Arbutus marina. I've picked a spot in full sun (of course) with good drainage, etc etc. I've given up on the native Arbutus (at least temporarily). I've tried several times and have had limited success, though I've never had one die due to harsh winters. They always seem to die in late spring / summer / fall, for no apparent reason (which the native Arbutus is known for). The last one I had lasted for 4 years. It was a nice looking, healthy little tree and then, poof, it just decided to die in mid-July. I hope you have more success than I with that that one. I am (probably temporarily) content with looking at the huge healthy native Arbutus across the street in my neighbour's yard....See MoreQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoEmbothrium
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agoQueen OfPrincesses
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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