Macro Monday 2 Protea Cynaroides South Africa
Source: Photo taken at the San Francisco Botanical Garden Source: Protea Cynaroides (King Protea) Taken at the SFBGS History Plants from South Africa were being sold to Northern California around the Gold Rush days. Since then, many South African plants became available to California gardeners. These plants are drought tolerant and an excellent choice for California gardens. The South Africa garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden was designed and planted in 1985. The Western facing slope and three planting beds are separated by paths and waist high retaining walls. The walls retain the heat of the sun and transfer that heat to the beds behind them. Benches that reside along that path provide protection from the wind. South Africa has a similar climate to San Francisco which has dry Summers and mild wet Winters which is why these exotic beauties do so well in the garden. These plants are able to survive long dry rain free Summers. This...