Our Garden Gate:

Do you like trees? Do trees mean something to you? Are you a collector of different, unique and flowering trees?

Well, this week, I present Schotia brachypetala. Common names include the African walnut, tree fuchsia, weeping boer-bean and I call it “wonderful” for many garden settings.

The genus Schotia was named after Richard van der Schot who was from Delft, Holland, and was the head gardener at the Imperial Garden in Vienna. This tree is in the Fabaceae family and is related to legumes.

The tree is generally found in the bushveld, warm, dry areas in Eastern Cape region of South Africa from Swaziland, Zimbabwe to Mozambique.

Besides being a beautiful ornamental tree in the landscape setting, it is said to be used as a medical plant for treating heartburn and hangovers. Both the bark and roots are made into a mixture to strengthen the blood, to treat nervous heart conditions and diarrhea, as well as for facial saunas. Mature trees producing large logs are cut into timbers and milled for fine cabinetry in South Africa.

So when gardeners understand a little background of plants that come from around the globe, they can have another appreciation of trees and their many values, used long before they arrived in the United States where we use them to adorn our gardens.

The flowers are showy in almost a deep blood-red color with yellow stamens erupting from the center clusters. The flowers are borne on the branches en masse on the old wood during the springtime, and early summer and after flowering produce a hard woody flatten brown pod with the seed inside.

Schotia attracts many birds, insects and bees which feed upon its rich, juicy nectar. In its native habitat, starlings, monkeys and baboons eat the flowers. Monkeys and birds eat seeds where the leaves are browsed by game and the black rhino that eat the bark of the tree

So when gardeners understand these various relationships, they learn about how nature takes care of its own, which is marvelous.

The tree has a rounded canopy and grows to about 3 meters or around 30 feet in time. When in flower in my garden, the hummingbirds seem to fight over the sweet nectar from the flowers, and I enjoy watching them dance and flutter from flower to flower.

I have had this tree in my garden for about 10 years, and it is moderate to slow growing. I planted six trees in various locations, and each tree has its own independent character, shape and growth habits.

For best results, plant in a warm frost-free spot with a well-drained soil such as a well-aerated, decomposed granite type. Add some composted organic mix to obtain some structure to the soil environment and create a watering program to get it through the first couple of summers.

The tree can become drought tolerant once established and will take some tending to with a layer of clean humus mulch at least three to 4 inches in depth. Making sure not to get the mulch on the trunks for it can lead to interior fungus entry.

Schotia has dark green decorative foliage, showy flowers and asymmetric shapely habit and is excellent for gardens and parks. It makes a good shade tree and although its looks good in a large landscape or standing alone, it is also suitable for smaller gardens.

Remember, trees and all types of plants are an investment in an outdoor setting, and, as I always suggest, do some homework before purchasing any type of plant. It’s all about the “right tree in the right place.”

If someone is starting a new landscape, here are a few key components for creating beautiful, water-efficient landscapes for the future: site analysis, proper spacing of plants, hydro-zoning, water harvesting, permeable surfaces, mulching, building the soil, using organic fertilizer and practicing good common sense stewardship.

Consider what is the theme or the look is wanted in a space? What are some of the elements that will affect the landscape? What is the soil like? What are the assorted exposures and sun, shade and wind movements throughout the landscape?

A landscape layout is like building a house, yet the plant matrix is growing and changing and can bring a spirit to the home surroundings that can bring personal happiness and joy to the family, friends and the earth.

So breathe fresh air, work carefully, drink lots of water and prepare with sunscreen and a broad brimmed hat. Wear a back-brace if needed, knee pads can be beneficial and by all means enjoy the great outdoors.

Roger Boddaert, Maker of Natural Gardens and The Tree Man of Fallbrook, can be reached for landscape designs and professional and knowable tree care services at (760) 728-4297.