Bay Cedar  Suriana maritima

Coastal habitats are among the harshest environments on earth.  Plants in these locations develop special strategies in their determination to survive.  Many coastal plants grow thick, stiff leaves, or armor themselves with thorns.  If they were humans, they would be considered borderline sociopaths in the way they discourage casual familiarity.

Among these rough-and-tumble characters, under the blistering sun, pummeled by relentless winds filled with corrosive salt spray, lives the Bay Cedar, a gentle shrub seemingly out of character with the austere locale.

Displaying yellow flowers is a plant's way of humming with contentment.
	With unique panache, Bay Cedar demonstrates that there is great strength in flexibility. The Bay Cedar Club is an informal group, open to anyone.  Its members remain unperturbed while the chaos flows around them.
The one in our landscaping, in the photo at right, is about 8' high.
	Bay Cedar does great in hot locations. It takes trimming well, and can be trained into whatever size you choose, from 4'-8' or so high, by 2'-4' wide.
At right, in 3-gal.

Last updated:  01/22/2008