Gold, green, and silver: three colorful forms for three garden functions

摘要

At some point in the design process, whether landscape professional or home gardener, we focus our attention on plant selection. With wish list or planting plan in hand, we try to find just the right plant for this or that spot. Ultimate size, site conditions, and longterm maintenance needs are all-important criteria; however, a plant's physical appearance--its form, color, and texture--is usually paramount. Color typically ranks high, but our search may be driven by the need for a particular form that fulfills a specific function in the garden. Three new native California cultivars from the plant introduction program at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG) offer new choices for a variety of garden situations.