New South African Plants Garden at Merritt Summer 2009

On the Merritt Landscape Horticulture Department south-facing hill over one hundred South African plants were installed this spring and summer. There are shrubs, trees, pretty bulbs, and groundcovers. Many are from familiar southern hemisphere plant families—Geraniaceae, Asteraceae, Restioaceae, and Proteaceae. The hill is a wonderful location for them because it has relatively nutrient poor soil and drainage is good. The resident gophers are the only known pests so far. Right now they are looking great--blooming and growing. Ken Mohler, a Merritt Propagation Club member, has been growing these plants for several years and installing them in local gardens. Many of them are relatively new to Bay Area general landscape use. The Merritt Landscape Horticulture Department sought to plant them on the hill to provide a demonstration garden for horticulture students and plant sale customers and to create a mother plant resource for the MPC.

The garden is open every day. We are still installing official paths and signage.