Winter Plants

Botanical Name: Lantana montevidensis Family: Verbena Family (Verbenaceae) Origin: Native to South America At Hearst Castle: Trailing Lantana is used freely around the Esplanade, spilling in cascades over the retaining walls of the inner flower beds. Comments: Near the guest… Read More

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus Family: Scrophulariaceae Origin: Most from the Western Mediterranean region At Hearst Castle: These bedding plants can be seen in the 4 Italian cypress beds located adjacent to the Neptune Pool. They are also planted inside of… Read More

Botanical Name: Punica granatum Family: Pomegranate Family (Punicaceae). This is a very small family of only 2 species, both in the genus Punica. Origin: Native to southern Asia, but long cultivated and naturalized in the Mediterranean region. At Hearst Castle:… Read More

Botanical Name: Viola x wittrockiana Family: Violaceae Origin: Eurasia At Hearst Castle: Planted as a border, pansies can be seen in the garden beds between all three guest houses, and all along the esplanade walk. Comments: In a letter,dated September… Read More

Botanical Name: Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ Family: Cupressaceae Origin: Native to southern Europe and western Asia At Hearst Castle: Italian Cypresses are important elements in the formal, Italianate gardens at Hearst Castle. They are planted at the Neptune Pool, the North… Read More

Botanical Name: Heteromeles arbutifolia Family: Rose Family (Rosaceae) Origin: Native to California, including hilltop at Hearst Castle (found in Sierra Nevada foothills, coastal ranges south to Baja California) At Hearst Castle: There are many Toyons in the Pergola area, along… Read More

Botanical Name: Cordyline australis Family: Agave Family (Agavaceae). Family of about 500 species includes yuccas, tuberose, true dracena, sansevieria, as well as agaves. This family is related to Lily Family and is sometimes included in it. Origin: Native to New… Read More

Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum or Cyclamen hederifolium Family: Primulaceae (Primula family) Origin: C. hederifolium is from Southern Europe into Turkey. C. persicum is from Greece, Lebanon and North Africa. At Hearst Castle: There are several plants on the North Tea… Read More

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis Family: Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) Compositae Origin: Mediterranian native Comments: It is thought that ST. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) dedicated Calendula officinalis to the Virgin Mary and gave the flowers the name Mary’s gold, or marigold. To… Read More