Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Roger's Tree Pick for August: Agonis flexuosa

Once again, I bring to you another wonderful tree from the Land Down Under: Agonis flexuosa (pronounced “uh-GOE-nis fleks-yoo-OH-sa”), a member of the Myrtaceae family, which is very large and includes eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Leptospermum and other Myrtle-like plants.

Its common name, “The Peppermint Tree,” surely fits this pendulous and weeping small tree, for when its foliage is crushed it is like the sweet smell of peppermint candy (yum, yum).

It is also sometimes found under the common name of “Willow Myrtle,” which originated on the sand plains of Western Australia around the Perth region.

This tree grows into a handsome evergreen round-headed tree with distinctive weeping and wispy branches, well-clothed in linear olive green leaves. It is considered a small tree, reaching heights between 25 to 35 feet at maturity and grows at a moderate rate. The overall size of its canopy can spread from 20 to 30 feet in time and is a good choice for the small garden or that special garden niche, as it brings a touch of swaying boughs in the breeze.

I like to use different trees that can give movement within my garden designs. A slight bit of wind or subtle breeze in trees can evoke a sense of coolness to any landscape setting in the heat of summer.

We don’t have a lot of weeping trees to choose from, so Agonis is one of the choices that fit certain criteria for various garden settings.

Agonis can be grown from the coastal belt to our inland valleys, providing it does not get too cold in those low canyons areas.

She is tolerable of cold to the high 20 degrees, but if much colder and below 27 degrees it will be damaged.

The Peppermint Tree is also tolerant of a wide range of garden conditions and may be grown in a wide variety of soils with fairly little water (once established).

It does best with excellent soil drainage, so check that out when choosing the tree’s planting site in the garden. Dig deep and wide pilot holes to insure good drainage for this tree. The decomposed granite of the northern San Diego area has just the right conditions for its drainage requirements around the root-zone.

I usually dig holes for trees two to three times the size of their nursery-container size, to insure a good planting pit.

Be careful of over-watering this plant, for it can mean a quick decline, so make sure there is adequate drainage.

Upon hearing the name of willow attached to a plant, some people automatically think of the weeping willow or native streamside willow (Salix), which require a lot of water, but not this little pendulous Australian tree.

Dainty white flowers bloom profusely all along the branches in late spring to early summer. The flowers have a tinge of aroma to them, which adds to another quality of the Agonis tree.

Another one of its nice attributes is the interesting and textured dark furrowed bark that ages with time. On a rainy winter’s day this bark becomes fairly dark and is a nice contrast against the backdrop of the willow-like five-inch aromatic green leaves.

If the tree’s foliage drops near a path or walkway, when the leaves are crushed underfoot it emits a lovely and refreshing mint-like quality.

This tree should be used more in our gardens and is usually available at your local horticultural nursery.

Another tree of this aromatic nature underfoot is the Lemon-scented Eucalyptus citriodora that can perfume a garden corner as well from its lemony foliage, but this tree gets very tall in time.

I use the Agonis trees in my landscape design as an interesting character with multiple trunks. When these many trunks are lit for nocturnal enjoyment, it really stands out tucked into a garden setting.

Another wonderful quality is the fact that this tree is not plagued with many exotic pests to invade it. That is a good thing.

Due to its dense-headed crown, it can be a favorite home to many species of small birds for their nesting and butterflies for shelter.

This past summer we had a tiny hummingbird nest tucked into a tree close to one of our canvas huts in our garden and we were able to watch the coming and going of the adult hummingbirds as they lay their tiny, pearl-sized eggs. As the summer progressed we watched the young hummers develop along with the darting in and out of the feeding adults returning from their hunting expeditions to return and feed their youngsters in their teacup-sized nest.

It was a real experience and education for our 3-year-old granddaughter Linnea this summer as we quietly sat in the hut and observed a slice of nature’s beautiful cycle unfold before her eyes. These, I hope, will be the long-lasting memories of her summer days spent with Mor-Mor and Moses, or picking lemons from our trees for freshly squeezed lemonade.

Why not consider a swing in a tree or building a tree house for your grandchildren?

For a celebration of a birthday, anniversary or special event, plant a tree or shrub in your garden as an ongoing thanks for your daily blessings. Isn’t that what it’s all about in life?

So when we look to finding trees for our new or established gardens, don’t just think about how it looks. Go beyond that and investigate other qualities and features that it holds. Ask yourself:

• Do I want an evergreen or deciduous type of tree?

• Do I want a tree with unique flowers or foliage?

• Do I have a color preference of flowers in my garden?

• Am I looking for a tree that can screen or camouflage a certain area?

• What is the tree’s root-system like?

• What type of exposure or soil is best for this type of tree?

• It is a messy tree?

• Does it require much tending or water requirements?

Consider how it can save energy for your home by planting trees in the right place around your home. And on a larger scope, please take into consideration how the earth needs trees to replace what we have taken from this tiny blue marble floating in space. Think globally, act locally.

Trees are an investment and you should consider many factors that come into play when laying out a new garden or remodeling an existing one.

The many benefits of trees have long-reaching rewards, so make sure you have selected the right tree for the right place.

It is equally important when planting and establishing trees or a landscape to understand the various plants needs and requirements. Don’t just plant a garden and not have a follow-up program of stewardship. If a garden is to become sustainable, the key to its success and its flourishing for years to come is the tendering and caring for it in a proper and a sustainable natural healthy manner.

Roger Boddaert is a local Fallbrook Landscape Designer and a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture. Roger may be reached at (760) 728-4297.

 

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