Protea And Mimetes Flowers At UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

Need I describe our recent visit? Surely the photos speak for themselves.
'Pink Ice':
Most every plant was labeled, but I lost track of names, distracted by so many treasures on display. There were also Proteas out by themselves in otherwise empty areas, not labled.  Early autumn is not their major bloom period, but there were still scattered flowers to be seen on nearly every plant. 
'Rubens', I think:
Mimetes cuculleatus, too! Wowza! 
 
 Mimetes cuculeatus, like many Proteas, but unlike all or nearly all other Mimetes, develops a lignotuber:

a rounded woody growth at or below ground level on some shrubs and trees that grow in areas subject to fire or drought, containing a mass of buds and food reserves.
Here is the very rare Mimetes chrysanthus, found in only a few isolated places in South Africa.  This species was not discovered until 1987.
 Plants in the genus Protea can grow fairly large.  This particular shrub was about 6' tall and 10' wide:
Mimetes cuculleatus is about 4' x 4':
 Here's one that died.  Ouch!
 

Comments

  1. You are such an amazing photographer Gail!

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    1. Thank you, but it was the plants themselves that were amazing!

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  2. But how is this even possible? So much beauty!!!

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  3. They're beautiful plants and they clearly seem to enjoy Santa Cruz. I've been tempted to try 'Pink Ice' or 'Mini King' but, until I see if I can make a success of my one Leucospermum, I'm holding off.

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    1. They need space and air circulation. 'Pink Ice' is growing like a weed here, while 'Mini King' has grown about one inch. Your "hotter side" of the PVP might be perfect for them.

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  4. The mimetes that died, that's mine. Just kidding. Mine was much smaller when it died.

    Beautiful photos. I swear, that Protea repens 'Rubens' is in bloom everytime I visit! It must flower year round.

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    1. The 'Rubens' was my favorite for the intensity of its color. I examined every flower--they were truly eye-candy.

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  5. Something about these Australian shrubs speaks deeply to me. Thanks for the beauty today!

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  6. Dear Gail, the Mimetes cuculeatis is spectacular, a lovely mix of colours and I love the yellow of the Mimetes chrysanthus...great photos!
    Happy week, Dianne
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Happy you enjoyed them--happy week to you Dianne.

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  7. I stopped at Santa Cruz's sale last spring, and it's a well-attended event, so rare stuff gets swooped on. I don't know if I have the heart to try to grow a mimetes! Theirs is a spectacular failure, achieving that size.

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    1. They had had their fall sale the previous weekend and the plant shop contained only leftovers--yet there were still some awesome plants among the so-called leftovers. So it must be one stellar plant sale!

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  8. Hah! Looks like we were at the UCSC Arboretum on just about the same day! Given my home on Vancouver Island, BC, many of the plants were only lust-worthy for me!! See: https://dizzywithpossibilities.wordpress.com Although, my Grevillia and Callistemon do well here...the Banksia...not so much!! And my succulents sit in pots - outside in the summer and on the windowsills in the winter. Your photos are amazing... it was nice to view the garden through your eyes as well!

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    1. That's a funny coincidence! Wasn't it a great place? So much to see, and quiet...we loved it. Grevillea also do very well in Southern California, so they apparently handle a relatively large range of climates.

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  9. I sure need a return trip here, the last time I went was in April and lots of stuff had 'gone over'. I am thinking Feb might be best.Love your beautiful photos Hoov !

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    1. 'Gone over'??? Not sure what that means?

      May be different this time, if our state actually stops being in a drought for a few months. We can dream a little, even now, right?

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    2. A quaint term for bloomed-out ! Though the faded flowers are almost as fabulous -especially the Banksias.

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    3. Oh, cool, thanks! For some reason, sounded like Anakin going Vader.

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  10. Replies
    1. It was like a big dish of ice cream, without the calories! :)

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