The itch to start my fall garden cleanup has already started. I've begun cutting back and cleaning up plants here and there, even if it might be more prudent to wait out the worst of summer's heat. One morning I decided to tackle a large clump of Coleonema album (also known as white breath of heaven). I inherited several of these shrubs with the garden when we purchased the house almost fifteen years ago. The clump in question sits to the right of the front door. I pass it multiple times a day and it'd lost its shape. I'd asked the gardener to cut it back but, while he reduced about a foot in height, it didn't look much better. I decided to shape it up myself - and got carried away.
 |
| I was working under the false impression that there was a single shrub here but there turned out to be 2 badly gnarled plants. I didn't manage to carve out even one well-balanced plant as I pruned more deeply into them. |
 |
| The branches were badly twisted and mostly bare below the top growth |
 |
| Both trunks were in similar shape |
Despite the shabby shape I left them in, the two plants could spring back. I cut another of these shrubs back several months ago and it doesn't look half bad now.
 |
| This is the refreshed Coleonema that sits 9-10 feet away from the clump to the right of the front door along the same wall |
However, I already had some apprehension about keeping these shrubs given how closely they're planted to the house. Interestingly, when I queried Google about the plant's flammability, the AI overview tagged Coleonema album as flammable due to the oils in its feathery foliage but the query concerning its cousin, Coleonema pulchellum, which I also have in my garden, stated that it "is not listed among highly flammable plants." Both plants are feathery in texture and have scented foliage, although Coleonema album definitely has a heavier scent. Perhaps that accounts for the difference with respect to their flammability but I don't yet have a lot of confidence in the AI assessments. Still, there's only so much information available to work with.
The flammability of the Coleonema album presents a conundrum, especially given the placement of the plants and their very woody bases. The two shrubs to the right of the front door aren't the only specimens of concern either.
 |
| This is the clump of Coleonema album on the left side of the front door. It's also composed of 2 shrubs, although as a whole they look healthier at present than those on the right side of the door. |
In addition to the two Coleonema album to the left of the front door, there are three more of the same shrubs around the corner of the house in front of our bedroom windows, next to two relatively fire resistant Pittosporum tobira shrubs.
 |
| The 3 Coleonema shrubs and 2 Pittosporum form a mixed hedge of a sort here |
This means I'm once again considering what to do with a selection of plants placed directly adjacent to the house. At a minimum, I should probably replace the
Coleonema shrubs near the front door. I was initially thinking of replacing the four plants with two new ones that could be better maintained. But, given their flammability rating, I'm considering abandoning
Coleonema for
Lomandra longifolia, a grass-like plant which is regarded as fire resistant. There are two cultivars under consideration, both of which I'm already growing in my garden.
 |
| This is one of many Lomandra 'Breeze' plants in my garden. It sits only a few feet away from the beleaguered Coleonemas under discussion. |
 |
| This is one grouping of Lomandra 'Platinum Beauty' elsewhere in my front garden. There are 5 of the plants here and I could conceivably relocate 2 of them. |
My only hesitation is that I've got numerous specimens of both Lomandras. But then repetition can be a good thing in a garden, can't it? There are variegated Pittosporum tobira shrubs in place on the right side of the house already so I'm wondering if the solid green Lomandra 'Breeze' would be preferable to 'Platinum Beauty' there.
 |
| The area next to the Coleonemas is currently planted with a 6-7 foot long Pittosporum hedge and lots of Agapanthus, all of which also came with the garden |
Other additions could include more Agapanthus, either transplants of overcrowded bulbs from other parts of the garden or maybe some of the newer varieties in darker blue colors. Given the "zone zero" initiative in California that would involve removing any combustible materials within five feet of homes, there's little point in planting anything too precious. I'm also inclined to add some stepping stones there (to facilitate pruning the back of the Pittosporum hedge) and a low-growing groundcover. What to do with the three Coleonema album grown in front of our bedroom remains a quandary.
The plants in the front garden aren't my only concern. Two days ago I was shocked to see dead foliage in the middle of the huge Leucadendron salignum 'Chief' growing in the dry garden on the northeast side of the house. Big as it is, I love that plant and was immediately alarmed.
 |
| The foliage hadn't just turned tawny in the sun |
 |
| I quickly found a large broken branch |
I was initially relieved to find the broken branch but, when I stepped back and took another look at the plant, I saw evidence of more brown foliage.
 |
| There was a lot more dry foliage, although it wasn't everywhere |
I usually cut back this Leucadendron in late spring but I failed to do so this year. I'm hoping that the shrub just needs a good pruning to tidy it up. However, that'll have to wait until we get cooler weather as maneuvering through the interior of that plant involves considerable effort and I've already soaked myself in sweat a couple times this week. I'd rather handle it myself than add it to the list for my tree service in October or November. It looks as though the majority of the plant's foliage is healthy.
 |
| Most of the plant still looks good |
We'd expected cooler temperatures this week than we got. We still hit 90F (32C) yesterday. There were chances of thunderstorms in the forecast for days. My husband got soaked going from the dentist's office to his truck following an appointment on Wednesday while he was in nearby Torrance and had to use his windshield wipers until he reached four miles from home so some people got a touch of rain, just not us. I've taken the majority of my daily walks in the morning as walking in the late afternoon hasn't been at all pleasant. Those walks provided several sightings of the local peafowl, though. They're clearly here to stay!
 |
| I spotted what I think now was probably a juvenile male on a neighbor's front doorstep. I didn't disturb him but I texted the couple a photo. I can't say they were pleased to see it. |
 |
| I spent one walk in step with another juvenile male. The next morning I spotted one near the very top of a 40-foot pine tree but my cell phone didn't get a clear picture of him. |
 |
| In contrast, the peahens remained on solid ground |
Wherever you are, I hope your weather is good or at least getting better. Have a pleasant weekend!
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
