1. *Modesty/Common Whipplea – Whipplea modesta
( WHIP-lee-uh
mo-DES-tuh)
Family: Philadelphaceae (Mock Orange Family) / Hydrangaceae (Hydrangea family)
Northwest coast of N. America from Monterey County to WA; grows in a variety of
settings in Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest including in open or shady
places, dry and rocky slopes, bare patched (‘balds’) at less than 4600 feet.
Native to:
vine or sub-shrub
mature height: 1-3+ ft.
mature width: 3-5 ft.
Usually a trailing/sprawling vine-like sub-shrub; widely variable depending on light, moisture.
Evergreen with regular water; semi-deciduous otherwise. Leaves simple, medium green, aromatic.
Stems are many-branched and will root in bare soil. Often forms dense ‘groundcover’ in nature.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits:
ends of branches.
Blooms in spring – March to June. Flowers small, white in dense clusters at the
Lovely woodsy, delicate appearance.
Uses in the garden: Best used as a groundcover in moist areas of garden. Fine in shady areas and
on slopes. Combines well with Heucheras, Douglas Iris, Tellima grandiflora, North Coastal shrubs.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcovers like Ivy.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Part-shade to fairly shady in our area.
Well-drained soils best; native soils are rocky, slightly acidic (pH 5.0-7.0)
Best with regular to occasional water (Water Zones 2 to 3) in S. CA.
Ok with light fertilizer.
Likes organic mulch – leaf mulch best.
Management:
Easy to manage. Remove unwanted stems as needed.
Propagation: from seed: no pre-treatment
by cuttings: easy by layering, rooted cuttings.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11, 13
8/1/13
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