Gardening information.

1. *Parish’s bluecurls – Trichostema parishii (try-KOS-te-muh PARE-ish-ee-eye)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Inland mountain ranges of S. CA from Santa Barbara Co. to Baja; dry slopes, 2000-6000
ft. elevation, in Coastal scrub, Chaparral, Yellow pine forest and Joshua tree woodland.
Growth characteristics: small woody shrub mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft.
Woody, evergreen shrub with rounded or irregular shape. Looks like a smaller version of Wooly
bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), with less aromatic foliage. Branches upright. Small, medium to
dark-green, linear leaves in clusters. A neat and attractive shrub.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms spring to summer (usually April to June or July locally). Flowers are similar
to Wooly bluecurls, but slightly less hairy. Flowers blue-magenta, in loose clusters around the
stems. Sexual parts extend well beyond the petals. Very pretty, showy, unique.
Uses in the garden: wonderful evergreen accent plant. Useful for its smaller size, attractive flowers
and foliage. Excellent choice for pollinator or hummingbird garden. Works well in a water-wise
herb garden or in summer-dry mixed beds. Combines well with local Eriogonums, Salvias, Diplacus
and Goldenbushes. Fine on dry slopes. Use in smaller gardens as substitute for Wooly bluecurls.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Mediterranean shrubs like Rosemary.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: attracts native bees and hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (immediate coast); afternoon shade inland.
Soil Adaptable, but likes well-drained. Plant on slope/berm if soils slow-draining.
Water No/very little summer water once established (Water Zone 1 to 1-2)
Fertilizer None needed.
Other No, inorganic or light leaf mulch.
Management: Tip-prune during growth season (after flowering) for fuller plant.
Propagation: from seed: fall; GA3 recommended (fresh, stored) by cuttings: semi-soft & hardwood
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 9, 13 4/27/18
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND