Arbutus menziesii |
Native Region: North American Pacific Coast
Zone Range: 7-9
Preferred Climate: Full/semi sun; very well draining poor soil. Does not tolerate stagnant air.
Harvest Date: Saturday 29 October, 2011
Seed count: 50-60
Description:
A beautiful iconic native tree of the North American Pacific Coast. A broadleaf evergreen tree with incredibly honey scented nectar filled bell white flowers in the spring. You can hear the buzz of hummingbirds and other nectar seekers amongst the dense flower clusters. In the fall pea sized green berries ripen to a brilliant orange. The rich red-ochre coloured bark peels off in sheets during the growing season revealing the smooth new tan coloured bark in summer. Grows to 12 meters tall with 6 meter spread with graceful twists and artful curves (never straight).
Notes:
Wild collected from trees growing on the northern most of their growing range. Very salt tolerant plants as these trees are located along the Deep Bay seashore. Gets full sun, and wind. Trees provide very large berries much enjoyed by the local bird life. Seedlings can be found in the surrounding area. Maintaince free. Nectar makes a very nice honey. Never use chemical fertilizers only mineral ones. Very hard wood. Fast growing in optimal conditions which includes earlier flowering.
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24 hours. Cold stratify in a resealable baggie with moist medium 60 days. Sow thinly in containers or flats. Growing medium should be well draining gritty medium. Use sharp sand as the sowing surface. Press seed into sand. Do not cover. Keep moist, shaded, and cool. Prick out seedlings (if growing in flats not growing in dedicated containers) at second true leaf stage in pots to minimize handling. Seat in their final growing position where their roots will not be disturbed. I haven't tried baggie sowing these, but I can't see where this technique would be a problem.
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