q scrophularia californica

California Figwort (Bee Plant) – Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda (skrof-yu-LARE-ee-a ka-li-FOR-ni-ka flor-i-BUN-da) Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family) Native to: Much of coastal CA from LA Co. to Canada. Also San Gabriel & western Sierra Nevadas; usually in moist (but occasionally more dry) places in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands and along roads. Fairly common. Growth characteristics: clumping perennial mature height: 3-6 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft. Fast- growing tall, upright perennial. Semi-deciduous in moister areas; dies back to ground in summer-dry conditions. Leaves dark-green, succulent-looking, incised – very attractive. Square red stems. Spreading. Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar.-May in S. Bay. Flowers small, dark red, distinctive in shape. Flowers are interesting but not really showy. Fruit is a dry tulip-shaped capsule with small dark seeds. Uses in the garden: Most useful for its attractive foliage and as a habitat plant for attracting native bees. Good in an old-fashioned garden, cottage garden or mixed native bed. Fine in contained areas, large containers, narrow borders. Dried flower stalks are interesting in floral arrangements. Takes regular garden water and does well with others of like needs. Sensible substitute for: Non-native foxgloves, Calceolaria, Torenia. Other perennial foliage plants. Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides nectar for hummingbirds and seeds for food. Nectar attracts many native pollinators including bees and butterflies. Caterpillar food for Common Checkerspot and Buckeye. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to nearly full shade; does better with some shade in hot gardens. Soil Any texture from sand to clay Water Semi-dry (dies back quicker) to regular irrigation Fertilizer None needed, but can stand a light fertilizer or (better) organic mulch Other Management: Little management needed; cut back after collecting seeds. Will spread with regular watering, but easy to control. Propagation: from seed: cold treatment may enhance germination. Plant winter-spring in pots or in prepared beds. Barely cover the small seeds. by divisions: yes Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 8, 10-13, 16, 20, 24 1/29/17 © Project SOUND

Upload: cvadheim

Post on 22-Jan-2018

112 views

Category:

Education

1 download

Report

Download

Embed Size (px):

TRANSCRIPT

California Figwort (Bee Plant) – Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda (skrof-yu-LARE-ee-a ka-li-FOR-ni-ka flor-i-BUN-da)

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family) Native to: Much of coastal CA from LA Co. to Canada. Also San Gabriel & western Sierra Nevadas; usually in moist (but occasionally more dry) places in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands and along roads. Fairly common. Growth characteristics: clumping perennial mature height: 3-6 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft. Fast-growing tall, upright perennial. Semi-deciduous in moister areas; dies back to ground in summer-dry conditions. Leaves dark-green, succulent-looking, incised – very attractive. Square red stems. Spreading. Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar.-May in S. Bay. Flowers small, dark red, distinctive in shape. Flowers are interesting but not really showy. Fruit is a dry tulip-shaped capsule with small dark seeds. Uses in the garden: Most useful for its attractive foliage and as a habitat plant for attracting native bees. Good in an old-fashioned garden, cottage garden or mixed native bed. Fine in contained areas, large containers, narrow borders. Dried flower stalks are interesting in floral arrangements. Takes regular garden water and does well with others of like needs. Sensible substitute for: Non-native foxgloves, Calceolaria, Torenia. Other perennial foliage plants. Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides nectar for hummingbirds and seeds for food. Nectar attracts many native pollinators including bees and butterflies. Caterpillar food for Common Checkerspot and Buckeye. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to nearly full shade; does better with some shade in hot gardens. Soil Any texture from sand to clay Water Semi-dry (dies back quicker) to regular irrigation Fertilizer None needed, but can stand a light fertilizer or (better) organic mulch Other Management: Little management needed; cut back after collecting seeds. Will spread with regular watering, but easy to control. Propagation: from seed: cold treatment may enhance germination. Plant winter-spring in pots or in prepared beds. Barely cover the small seeds. by divisions: yes Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 8, 10-13, 16, 20, 24 1/29/17