What was the Landscape like during the Age of the Dinosaurs and even before?
As Pangaea the Supercontinent rose above the Ocean, lush soft wood forest – Giant Ferns, Cycadeoids – similar to Cycads of today, Ginkgoids, Conifers with broad leaves vs. needles, Horsetails & Rushes (grass like plants with hollow or pithy stems) spread over the landscape. During the Jurassic & Cretaceous much of Europe and almost half of North America were under water. Palm Trees grew in Alaska, Figs and Breadfruit in Greenland!
Not until the Cretaceous Period did the first flowering plants appear – magnolia, laurel and dogwood. Flowering plants became dominant over the ancient soft stemmed trees and shrubs. Hardwood trees first appeared among them the plane tree (small tree resembling an elm) followed by Oak, Willow, Fan Palms and Palmettos. Classic Redwoods reaching towering heights as they do today. Dawn Redwoods barely survived to modern times. The Grasslands of today did not exist.
Jeffrey & Jerry under a Redwood and the three of us under a Cedar deodara below.
CAUTION: Some Plants may be poisonous to people and/or pets. You might have allergies to them, as well. I chose them for their appearance and growing habits. I do not have small children or young pets that are often prone to putting everything in reach into their mouth or chewing on everything in sight. Please make informed decisions for your situation. Check with Your Nursery Specialists and Online Resources for Guidance in Your plant selections.
Jeffrey & Jerry are making the rounds with me to share Our Favorite Plants for the Park. You might wonder how I can tell the twins apart? Well Jeffrey is always looking to his right. I don’t know why. Maybe he sees trouble in that direction. Jerry is always looking straight ahead. So now you will know which is which as we check out the Plants in the Park. Occasionally, other Prehistoric Pals will point out their favorites too. Alejandro enjoys the Bearded Iris with its Sword Shaped Leaves. Wild Garlic (pink) & Day Lilies with their Pointed Leaves have a Grassy Look. The Bonus of Frequent Blooming adds Nice Splashes of Color to the Park. I have the Reblooming Type of Bearded Iris, which provide a Show 2 or 3 times during the Year. Agapanthus is another Plant that has nice leaves and a Flash of Color. I have a dwarf variety in Blue and Dark Blue.
Stuart likes Jacaranda Trees. Their leaves are very fern like. Pride of Madera is another interesting plant that can reach over 5 feet tall. Hobbes the littlest T-Rex likes its Brilliant Blue Cones of Flowers almost 2 feet in length! When not in bloom We like its pointy leave clusters too. I’m a fan of Roses and their thorns remind me of the Armored Dinosaurs. Raptors & Roses, is that a Song?
Speaking of Thorns, the Chorisia Bombacaceae the speciosa variety loves the Park. Also know as Floss Silk Tree, but at the Park its Dinosaur or Ankylosaur Tree with those Huge Thorns! It loses its leaves then blooms in the fall. They have Yellow or Pink Large Lily shaped Flowers. At the Park they are Pink with Yellow or White centers. Can You See the Humming Bird in flight and resting in the two closeups? The Show doesn’t stop there. Seed pods that remind me of the movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (The 50’s original version thank you) develop green turning to brown then opening to reveal silk & seeds. You can make quite a few Dinosaur Pillows with all that silk.
Without its leaves its Green Thorny Trunk and Branches provide for a Scary Halloween. There is a hybrid without or limited number of thorns, but what is the point of that! You can propagate from seeds. However, I pruned a number of large branches which I dipped in rooting powder and planted directly in the ground and in pots with success! The one I’m standing next to with Jerry & Jeffrey is bursting with new growth after 2 months in the ground. These trees are not fast growing. One this size would take 5 to 7 years to grow from seed. Another large branch rooted in a 5-gallon pot is ready for planting. We couldn’t be happier! They originate in South America – Brazil & Argentina. Hey that’s where Dinosaurs are believed to originate too! This makes it the perfect tree for the Park.
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) or Forest Pansy adds interest with its Burgundy Heart Shaped Leaves and Bright Pink Flower Clusters that Bloom on Bare Stems are very unusual. I love Wisteria, so does “Spike” the Spinosaurus, – it covers a large area, the blooms are fantastic and fragrance is wonderful. The vines can get out of hand if you do not attend to them during the growing season. It looks like it’s going to Grab You! Like a Man-Eating Plant! Watch Out!
A recent addition is Euphorbia lathyris also know as Gopher Purge. I think it has a nice Prehistoric look and the added benefit of deterring gophers is great. It has a very usual bloom too! Below with and without Flowers.
What are Your Favorites for a Prehistoric Garden? We would love to hear Your Suggestions!
Cool Off this Summer with “Antarctic Dinosaurs” at
The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles
a Special Exhibit ending January 5th!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, Thank you!