Southern Cal. Native Plants for Topiary

[Anonymous]

What So. Cal Irvine, Orange County, CA native plants would lend themselves to topiary for example, animal topiaries for a city native-plant garden at a nature center?</p>

[Anonymous]

I have heard of Lemonade berry Rhus integrifolia being used for topiary but my experience is limited.</p>

[Anonymous]

Jean,The use of natives in this highly controled manner goes against what many consider to be the whole reason for using natives-Their wildness and natural beauty as well as providing an extension for habitat that has been lost. When plants are used for such highly trimmed ornaments rather than as natural citizens fitting into a landscape designed to at least in part mimic the natural plant communities, well they just begin to look like any old ornamental rather than the very special plants, representing this part of the world-this place we call home.Hence a possible reason you have received little advice on this subject is that since we do not use native plants that way, we are reluctant to hand out untested advice.If however, you are comfortable utilizing our natives in this fashion, then what follows should be considered as very general advice. Chose natives with smaller leaves that tend to have small spaces between internodes and find out which ones do well with repeated pruning. For example Ceanothus 'Dark Star' or C. impressus have small leaves and short internodal spaces but would likely have a very short life-span if subjected to such treatment. and who could stand to loose the beauty of it blossoms by pruning off the growing point where the flower heads form? Suggestions? The noble Tecate Cypress might do well as a large feature. The various California Junipers would also be a place to look. Leamonadeberry has been mentioned by Cindy and it can be pruned repeatedly as demonstrated by the hedge at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden that has been there since about 1950. Still it strikes me as being a bit on the course and woody side unless you stay on the pruning schedule. Certainly Prunus ilicifolia Holly leaf Cherry would take the pruning and has a wonderful color. The leaves are not that small but it could work as could some of the coffeeberries, Rhamnus californica. Certain cultivars have different leaf shapes and would at least tolerate such treatment.What else? Perhaps a Baccharis pilularis cultivar such as 'Pigeon Point' would be OK as a small topiary. And though I have no idea how it would take repeated trimming Adenostema fascicularis Chamise could possibly work fine texture. Scrub Oak? Hmmm. If you are looking for natives from the OC area perhaps you could contact Tree of life Nursery for more info. Well, I must say you have caused me to think in a new direction for a few minutes.Best of luck with your project and let us know what you decide.Dan </p>