I have a spot I need something very particular for, and I am
thinking maybe one (or some) of my readers can help with a suggestion.
I am looking for a columnar (tall and narrow) perennial,
shrub or small tree—that grows 6 – 12 feet tall, or wouldn’t mind being kept to
that height. It would need to get no
more than 3 feet wide (or not mind being shaped.) It also needs to be drought tolerant when
established, adapted to Mediterranean weather (dry hot summers, cool winters
with rain), hardy to zone 8 (10F and sometimes a little lower of a winter
night). In addition the spot gets
morning sun and then strong somewhat dappled shade the rest of the day. Last
but not least---it needs to not have any thorns or prickles. The spot will eventually host a picnic table,
so it needs to be touchable and non-toxic.
Now, that is asking a lot of any plant. But if there are choices in the field of
possibilities, if it also produced food, fiber, flavoring, medicine, or
something else useful—that would be grand.
Attracting pollinators or beneficial insects would be great, as would
fixing nitrogen. However, if there is
anything at all that any of you know of that would work for the spot that is
absolutely good enough. Please feel free
to leave a comment with your suggestion(s)!
And then, if you have cuttings or seeds to swap—well that
would just be totally awesome!
Thanks!!!