South African plants at the Seaside Gardens nursery in Carpinteria
This striking honeybush (Melianthus major) with its play of surfaces -- blue-green on one side of its pleated leaves and gray-green on the other -- resides in a demonstration garden of South African plants. Designed by Laurence Nicklin for the Seaside Gardens nursery in Carpinteria, the South African garden has four large beds of plants from the tip of South Africa. The garden is one of several at Seaside Gardens (www.seaside-gardens.com) featuring plants -- including many that are drought resistant -- from the Mediterranean climate zones. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Though many of the specimens are drought-tolerant, one finds an unexpected element of lavishness in their color, texture and form. Its the long-season color of South African plants that appeals to SoCal gardeners. Here a close-up of the colorful Leucadendron ‘Jester,’ or cone bush. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A full view of a Leucadendron. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
A spot of bright yellow in an aloe. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
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Lush leaves surround the emerging protea bloom. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The Grewia, known as the lavender starflower. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The purple of South African daisies adds to the color palette. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The Leucadendron, known as the “nodding pincushion.” (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
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Plants such as this European rock rose can be found in gardens at Seaside devoted to the Mediterranean climate areas. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
The ‘Frequent Flyer’ iris in one of the gardens at Seaside nursery. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
An Australian hibiscus in a garden at Seaside. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
