An Unexpected Burst of Color

It has been sunny and warm recently and we decided to spend Saturday at the beach.

Winter erica in full bloom (all pictures taken at the Santa Cruz Arboretum)

We always stop for lunch on our way, often in a little town called Corralitos which has its own meat market where we can get fresh sandwiches.

Tetratheca "Amethyst Eyes", an Australian native

There is also a rose nursery nearby (Roses of Yesterday) which is an added bonus for one of us :).

Chamelaucium ciliatum, another Australian native and a tea-tree look-alike

As we were munching through our sausages we saw an advertisement for hummingbird tours for kids at the Santa Cruz Arboretum.

Ericas and leucadendrons all together create a subtle play of color and light

 My boys are unfailingly reluctant visitors to gardens and nurseries, so I have never actually managed to visit the arboretum before. I am glad I have finally made it.



I spent all of my time happily walking among the biggest heathers (erica) and proteas I have ever seen.

Standing in the middle of the erica field I felt as if I was inside an impressionist painting

When I think of heaths and heathers I imagine a carpet of knee-high pink and lavender shrubs somewhere on a moist and chilly English moor. It was a revelation to find that some of them are trees:



Many ericas have tubular flowers beloved by hummingbirds:



 Many more heathers are endemic to Africa than to England. The only thing they all seem to have in common is a preference for fast draining acidic soil. There is not a hope I can grow them in my garden, but I know now where I can come and enjoy a sight like this:

And then turn around and see fiery leucadendrons blazing in the sun.

Leucandendron "Safari Sunshine"

A true sensory overload.

The arboretum has an amazing collection of proteas, banksiae, leucadendrons and leucospermums (all relatives in the proteaceae family).



All these plants share the need for fast drainage and acidic soil.



 A roadside tag said there were no concrete paths in the area because calcium leaching out of concrete may reduce soil acidity.

The inside of a leucospermum, a South African native

Many plants in the proteaceae family are cultivated for the cut flower trade and some specimens have truly unusual blooms.

Spent blooms often dry up and remain on the plant

Others strongly reminded me of artichokes :)

I stumbled on the succulent section right at the end, when the boys were tired, hot and begging for ice cream.

A quick glance at the cacti and aloe, and I was done too. I know I will be back...