tmejia
1st Class Member
Southern California
Foreman
Posts:142
Send Message
 | | 10/01/2008 7:00 AM |
| I am starting my research into plants for my RR. I am in So. Cal, North Orange County. By going through the Archives and a Garden Railways Magazine I have come up with the following to start looking at: Ground Covers Mint Elfin Thyme Sedum Alpine Geranium (Erodium Reichardii) DO NOT USE Blue Star Creeper Trees Dwarf Alberta Spruce False Cypress (Chameocyperus) Little Jamie Local Nursery’s M & M in Orange Nursery’s Online Mini Forest by Sky www.miniforest.com
Overall view.
One of the two hills I have.
I would like to actually go see the plants. Are there other Miniature Nursery’s in my area that I should be checking out? I know nothing about plants but willing to learn. The layout has an automatic drip system installed. Thanks Tommy Rio Gracie | | | |
|
toddalin
Foreman
Posts:464
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 9:42 AM |
| Also try Upland Nursery, about 3 miles north of M&M also on Tustin (just north of Katella). Also Flowerdale on Tustin just south of the 22 Fwy usually has miniature ground covers (thymes) as well as dwarf crepe myrtles. I find that even though chameoperous are my favorite of all the miniature trees, they are very hard to grow and most of mine die over time. I live near these various nurseries and you are certainly welcome to come over and see what we've done. http://tortoiseandlizardbash.com | | | |
|
tmejia
1st Class Member
Southern California
Foreman
Posts:142
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 10:41 AM |
| Todd,
Thanks for the invite. I hope to free up some time in the next week or two. I will send you an e-mail when I figure my schedule out. Tommy Rio Gracie | | | |
|
K27_463
Brakeman
Posts:75
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 11:01 AM |
| Tommy, do NOT plant mint- never- no way. Second, since I live only short ways from you , I had no problem with Blue star creeper. Where we are Dwarf Alberta Take A LOT OF WATER, and even then may not make it.
Jonathan/EMW | | | |
|
toddalin
Foreman
Posts:464
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 2:48 PM |
| Posted By K27_463 on 10/01/2008 11:01 AM
Tommy, do NOT plant mint- never- no way. Second, since I live only short ways from you , I had no problem with Blue star creeper. Where we are Dwarf Alberta Take A LOT OF WATER, and even then may not make it.
Jonathan/EMW
My Corsigin mint does great and stays put. My blue star creeper mostly died away. Dymondia diamonte does extremely well and you can walk on it. Also my various thymes (about half a dozen varieties) do fantastic.
You are certainly welcome to take samples/cuttings from my plants and see if they work for you in your location. Dymondia (on the hill): Elfin thyme: Creeping thyme: | | | |
|
Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Engineer
Posts:1637
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 8:14 PM |
| Regards, Greg
| |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
|
tmejia
1st Class Member
Southern California
Foreman
Posts:142
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 9:29 PM |
| Greg, Your list and organzation is outstanding. Seems I will be borrowing a few things to create my looking/propagating/shopping list  Tommy Rio Gracie | | | |
|
Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Engineer
Posts:1637
Send Message
| | 10/01/2008 10:36 PM |
| Also, if you are ever in the area, drop by, you know where I live!
Regards, Gerg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
|
hans911
CA
Brakeman
Posts:44
Send Message
| | 12/09/2008 12:05 AM |
| Tommy,
I highly recomend getting to know the owners and staff at M&M Nursery on Tustin Ave in Orange. They've been a reall help to me. Tell them you are a garden railroader.
As for what's worked and not worked on my few year old RR varies. I have lots of shade to lots of sun in parts. Alberta spruce did not do well. I've used japanes boxwoods, serissa foteida (spelling?) mini pomegranite, and others. Mostly trial and error. Less error after talking to M&M and planting the appropriate plants (sun vs. shade) in the appropriate spots. Auto watering certainly helps but I water half or more by hand.
I am in the north part of Orange near Anaheim Hills.
Let me know if I can help anymore. Certainly no expert but I've learned a few things along the way while killing a few plants!
By the way, "Toddalin", has a VERY nice layout you should make a point in visiting.
Paul H. | | | |
|
astrayelmgod
1st Class Member
Ventura CA
Foreman
Posts:118
Send Message
| | 12/09/2008 8:55 AM |
| There are lots of thymes, and they have very different growth characteristics. Here in Ventura, I planted mother-of-thyme, and it completely took over. Choked out everything else that it came in contact with. On the other hand, it thrives under too little water, no care, and being walked on (a little bit, anyway). "Elfin" is a different variety of thyme that doesn't spread as fast, but needs more regular water.
You might also look into herneria glabra, which works well with elfin thyme. Don't plant it near mother-of-thyme, it was the first to go on my layout.
Alpine geranium comes in two colors, pink and white. For reasons I can't explain, the white is much sturdier, I still have lots of white, but no pink at all.
Dwarf Alberta spruce grows well here, but needs part shade and more water at a friends layout in Burbank. Don't know about Orange County. | | | |
|
gwschreyer
Foreman
Posts:110
Send Message
| | 12/09/2008 6:30 PM |
| | NEVER EVER introduce Korea grass. It looks fine in the flats but it will completely take over everything. | |
- gws | |
|