Went for a visit yesterday with my usual cohorts, Sophia & Ivan to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden. I had never been, they visited approximately a year ago. The garden is in the middle of fixing a retaining wall, so we had to enter in a roundabout way through the main campus. We parked and were walking down to the nursery to pick up some plants I had ordered online. When we saw THIS. These, there's actually 2-one male, one female.
Leucadendron argenteum. To say I lost my mind would be an understatement. Sophia was laughing at my response to seeing a full grown specimen.
In the sunlight, it looked like a shimmering metal tree - and yet, the foliage is incredibly soft. I'm beyond infatuated. *Mine have grown well, having been planted in 2024. But I'm well aware I'm taking a chance on them living - they like it a little cooler, more coastal conditions and a bit warmer winter than they'll get here. Ah, but I'm more than willing to dance with the devil for this one!
Ok, I will reluctantly move on. Gorgeous agaves filled the slope on the walk up to the garden. I tried to take down the brightness in the photos, it was early afternoon and the sun was summer bright.
This one with a cute clump of Echeveria agavoides at it's base.
Dasylirion such&such
A stately Yucca filifera, planted in 1996. These are slower growers than I thought!
Almost to the top!
And we were in crazy Australia-land. I don't know that I've seen Banksia as large as these before?
This was 10-12' tall, with every stage of cone-age.
There were gorgeous Grevilleas as well, but the sun was so sharp the photos aren't worth sharing.
Edited to add a photo from Ivan of Sophia & I, you can see how large the specimens are!
And then a visit to South Africa with the lovely Proteas. Leucospermum 'Brandi Dela Cruz'.
There are MORE Leucadendron argenteums!!! The garden seemed serious about adding these in several spots. This one had metallic looking cones.
Aloe distans were blooming in clusters, they were beautiful. I ended up taking one home.
There were several Protea nitida, really lovely and striking with the blueish foliage.
Leucospermum reflexum Horse Head
Protea nerifolia 'Late Mink'. What a fuzzy Queen.
These were striking, noticeable from quite a distance. Mimetes cucullatus, common Pagoda. Why common? Disagree!
Showy from a distance, and interesting close up!
We had a nice lunch and made the drive home with a trunk full. Of course! I'll show the haul next post.
After being stuck in the car, Ivan was anxious to get to chopping the cherry tree. A few branches were already felled by this point.
And a couple hours later...
Not shown, a lot of limbs to chop up and dispose of. That part I can handle. I'm incredibly grateful he attacked this - way too big of a job for me. Ivan is going to have a go at the Oleander roots and tree roots today. The Oleander is one tough customer (and there are 2). To be continued!
And a couple hours later... 
Not shown, a lot of limbs to chop up and dispose of. That part I can handle. I'm incredibly grateful he attacked this - way too big of a job for me. Ivan is going to have a go at the Oleander roots and tree roots today. The Oleander is one tough customer (and there are 2). To be continued!
That arboretum is one place I've long wished to visit. Thanks for sharing your visit! I've coveted Leucadendron argenteum too; however, I don't think I could keep it alive even if I could find space for it - I may be able to see the ocean from my backyard but I'm on the eastern side of the peninsula and we don't get the ocean breezes.
ReplyDeleteI know they are considered short-lived, the cons keep adding up but I can't help myself. The garden was definitely worth a visit, not "huge" but unique and a bit wild! I was really happy to see such established Banksia & Grevillea.
DeleteWhat a fun little trip. It sounds like you were like the proverbial kid in a candy store.
ReplyDeleteI did have a great time!
DeleteI've been to one plant sale at this UC trying to track down a certain isopogon. Bumping into a Leucodendron argenteum of that size would have floored me too! And please say you brought home a mimetes! I don't know a source for it currently.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm glad I'm not the only one! A group was walking by while I was freaking out about it, they didn't even look up. What? I would've grabbed a couple mimetes if they had them. I'm on the waitlist at https://www.waltzingmatilija.com/product-page/mimetes-cucullatus. He also stocks Isopogon formosus & dawsonii. Expertly packaged plants, Troy is fantastic! If I ever see that the new Annie's -Curious Flora has them again, I'll shoot you a message.
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ReplyDeleteI hope your dancing pays off. I suspect that it will.
ReplyDeleteHa haha, maybe I should add a cane & top hat for good luck.
DeleteWhat a magnificent tour of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum! That Leucadendron argenteum sounds absolutely stunning – a shimmering metal tree is such a vivid description.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly a wonder!
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