Please note that I am working on individual pages for each of these plants for easier navigation, as time permits.
Click on the plants below to go to their pages:
- January: Himalayan sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana), Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum (V. x bodnantense ‘Pink Dawn’)
- February: Laurustinus viburnum (Viburnum tinus), Winterhazel (Corylopsis), Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
- March: Lily-of-the-valley shrub (Pieris japonica), Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii)
- April: Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)
- May: Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa), Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria)
- June: Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), Japanese Stewartia (Stewaria pseudocamellia)
- July: Lavenders (Lavandula), Red hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), Calla lilies (Zantedeschia), Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- August: Japanese anemones (A. hupehensis, A. tomentosa)
- September: Devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa), Persian silk-tree, Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia), Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea)
- October: Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- November: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), Strawberry Tree & Pacific Madrone (Arbutus species)
- December: Heaths & Heathers (Erica spp.), Winter camellia (Camellia sasanqua)
Scroll down this page for the following plants:
- January: Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis)
- February: skimmia (S. japonica)
- March: flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum)
- April: purple rock cress, Aubretia deltoidea)
- May: mountain clematis (C.montana) Weigela
- June: false spirea (Astilbe)
- September: Michaelmas daisy, aster (Symphyotrichum)
- October: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- November: strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
- December: Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
May 2018: Weigela
Common Name: Weigela
Botanical Name: Weigela
Form: dense, rounded with arching branches
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Weigela
Species: there are many species and cultivars
Plant Type: woody deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 6 to 10ft tall and 9 to 12ft wide
Growth: fast
Origin: North China, Korea and Japan
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Foliage: simple, ovate-oblong, medium green leaves up to 4 inches long with serrated margins, no significant fall colour
Flowers: funnel shaped, 5 lobed, 1.25 inches long flowers April to June with some repeat blooms, pinks and reds, blooms profusely
Fruit: insignificant dry capsule
Exposure: full sun for best blooming, tolerates light and dappled shade
Soil: average, moist but well-drained soils best, soil tolerant including clay
Uses: attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, border, foundation, medium screen, accent, informal hedge
Propagation: softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings
Pruning: right after flowering as they bloom on year old wood
Problems: wet soil, poorly drained soil promotes root rot
Cultivars: W. florida ‘Rubidor’ (chartreuse foliage, pink flowers, 6ft x 8ft), W. florida ‘Variegata’ (green & cream foliage, pink flowers, 8ft x 8ft.), W. ‘Sonic Bloom Red’ (red blooms, repeat flowering, 5ft x 5ft), W. ‘Wine & Roses’ (5ft tall & wide, rose pink flowers, dark purple foliage), W. florida 'Bristol Ruby' (deep pink flowers, green foliage, 6ft x 6ft)
Dwarf cultivars: W. florida 'Variegata Nana' has light pink flowers and variegated leaves, 3ft x 3ft. ‘My Monet’ grows up to 2ft x 18”, variegated leaves and deep purple-pink flowers.
Comments: Weigelas look best when left to grow to their desired shape and size, this means plan ahead. Give them enough space so they can show off all their beautiful flowers on their graceful arching stems. Select dwarf cultivars if you just don’t have the space to accommodate a regular sized species.
Botanical Name: Weigela
Form: dense, rounded with arching branches
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Weigela
Species: there are many species and cultivars
Plant Type: woody deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 6 to 10ft tall and 9 to 12ft wide
Growth: fast
Origin: North China, Korea and Japan
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Foliage: simple, ovate-oblong, medium green leaves up to 4 inches long with serrated margins, no significant fall colour
Flowers: funnel shaped, 5 lobed, 1.25 inches long flowers April to June with some repeat blooms, pinks and reds, blooms profusely
Fruit: insignificant dry capsule
Exposure: full sun for best blooming, tolerates light and dappled shade
Soil: average, moist but well-drained soils best, soil tolerant including clay
Uses: attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, border, foundation, medium screen, accent, informal hedge
Propagation: softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings
Pruning: right after flowering as they bloom on year old wood
Problems: wet soil, poorly drained soil promotes root rot
Cultivars: W. florida ‘Rubidor’ (chartreuse foliage, pink flowers, 6ft x 8ft), W. florida ‘Variegata’ (green & cream foliage, pink flowers, 8ft x 8ft.), W. ‘Sonic Bloom Red’ (red blooms, repeat flowering, 5ft x 5ft), W. ‘Wine & Roses’ (5ft tall & wide, rose pink flowers, dark purple foliage), W. florida 'Bristol Ruby' (deep pink flowers, green foliage, 6ft x 6ft)
Dwarf cultivars: W. florida 'Variegata Nana' has light pink flowers and variegated leaves, 3ft x 3ft. ‘My Monet’ grows up to 2ft x 18”, variegated leaves and deep purple-pink flowers.
Comments: Weigelas look best when left to grow to their desired shape and size, this means plan ahead. Give them enough space so they can show off all their beautiful flowers on their graceful arching stems. Select dwarf cultivars if you just don’t have the space to accommodate a regular sized species.
Variegated Weigela (W. florida Variegata)
Wine & Roses Weigela
Rubidor Weigela, W. florida 'Rubidor'.
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Weigela Sonic Boom Red foliage in the fall.
Weigela 'Bristol Ruby'
Weigela florida 'Bristol Ruby'
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May 2017: Clematis montana
Common name: mountain clematis
Botanical Name: Clematis montana
Origin: Asia
Type: A deciduous scrambling vine. New leaves are bronze or purple then they turn green
Size: 7 to 12 meters (39 ft)
Flowers: Vines are smothered with flowers up to 4 inches wide bearing 4 silky white petals with showy yellow anthers in spring, usually May. Sometimes reblooms if pruned immediately after flowering.
Cultivars & Varieties: Numerous ones available including the ‘grandiflora’ that bears larger flowers and ‘Elizabeth’ that has pink ones.
Soil & Care: Prefer well-drained, moisture retaining soil. Apply an organic mulch on top of soil as it likes a cool base. Plant crowns 5-8cm (2-3in) deep encourage shoots from the roots. Prune after flowering.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Propagate: Layering and semi-hardwood cuttings.
Botanical Name: Clematis montana
Origin: Asia
Type: A deciduous scrambling vine. New leaves are bronze or purple then they turn green
Size: 7 to 12 meters (39 ft)
Flowers: Vines are smothered with flowers up to 4 inches wide bearing 4 silky white petals with showy yellow anthers in spring, usually May. Sometimes reblooms if pruned immediately after flowering.
Cultivars & Varieties: Numerous ones available including the ‘grandiflora’ that bears larger flowers and ‘Elizabeth’ that has pink ones.
Soil & Care: Prefer well-drained, moisture retaining soil. Apply an organic mulch on top of soil as it likes a cool base. Plant crowns 5-8cm (2-3in) deep encourage shoots from the roots. Prune after flowering.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Propagate: Layering and semi-hardwood cuttings.
June 2017: Astilbe
Astilbes like part shade and moist soils.
Common Name: false spirea
Botanical Name: Astilbe cultivars and hybrids
Origin: Asia & North America
Type: An easy to grow, hardy non-evergreen (die down in fall), herbaceous (non woody) perennial.
Size: Height varies depending on the cultivar, species or hybrid. Some are under a foot while others are up to 4 feet high. Will form a colony of plants over time but they are not invasive nor aggressive.
Form: Some have arching stems while others grow upright.
Flowers: Blooms in June through summer and resemble feathery plumes. Colours vary from white and shades of pink, purple, red and salmon. Unscented. Colours slowly fade as blossoms wane.
Foliage: Attractive, soft green fernlike foliage emerge from a central crown. Leaves are comprised of serrated leaflets on compound leaves.
Cultivars & Varieties: Numerous ones available including Astilbe arendsii ‘Fanal’ with red blossoms and bronze-like leaves that grows 1 to 2 ft. Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' is compact with light mauve flowers up to 2ft tall.
Soil & Care: Requires moist fertile soil especially if planted where they receive sun in the afternoon. They wilt quickly if it is too hot and too dry.
Sun: Part shade to shade.
Propagate: Divide roots in early spring.
Uses: Apparently are deer resistant. Cut flowers, massing, water gardens, woodlands, shady garden beds.
Botanical Name: Astilbe cultivars and hybrids
Origin: Asia & North America
Type: An easy to grow, hardy non-evergreen (die down in fall), herbaceous (non woody) perennial.
Size: Height varies depending on the cultivar, species or hybrid. Some are under a foot while others are up to 4 feet high. Will form a colony of plants over time but they are not invasive nor aggressive.
Form: Some have arching stems while others grow upright.
Flowers: Blooms in June through summer and resemble feathery plumes. Colours vary from white and shades of pink, purple, red and salmon. Unscented. Colours slowly fade as blossoms wane.
Foliage: Attractive, soft green fernlike foliage emerge from a central crown. Leaves are comprised of serrated leaflets on compound leaves.
Cultivars & Varieties: Numerous ones available including Astilbe arendsii ‘Fanal’ with red blossoms and bronze-like leaves that grows 1 to 2 ft. Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' is compact with light mauve flowers up to 2ft tall.
Soil & Care: Requires moist fertile soil especially if planted where they receive sun in the afternoon. They wilt quickly if it is too hot and too dry.
Sun: Part shade to shade.
Propagate: Divide roots in early spring.
Uses: Apparently are deer resistant. Cut flowers, massing, water gardens, woodlands, shady garden beds.
A creamy white astilbe.
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A mass planting of hot pink astilbe creates drama.
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October 2017- Fall aster
New York asters.
Common Name: Aster, Michaelmas daisy
Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum spp., previously named Aster
Family: Asteraceae
Form: upright or spreading depending on variety
Genus: Aster
Species: numerous species
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 10 inches to 6 feet depending on the variety, up to 4 feet wide
Origin: Great Britain, Europe, North & South America
Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 4 to 8
Leaves: entire, simple, alternate, soft, green, pinnate, pointed tip, linear
Flowers: composite, yellow flower disc surrounded by blue, purple,
white, or pink petals, blooms from September through fall
Exposure: full sun to partial shade, no blooms = too much shade
Soil: well-drained, soil tolerant
Propagation: root cuttings, divisions, cuttings, seeds
Uses: butterflies, bees, cut flower, perennial and mixed borders
Problems:
Tall asters tend to flop over so pinch back stems by a third in early June. This promotes bushier, shorter plants with more flowers. Prone to powdery mildew especially when planted in too much shade combined with dry soil.
Varieties & Cultivars:
There are 2 major types of aster: New England and New York. New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) tend to be smaller than the New England types though some grow to 4 feet. They have thin, hairless stems compared to the New England variety (Symphyotrichum nova-angliae), which have sturdier, hairy stems and foliage.
Another aster of note is the alpine aster, Symphyotrichum alpinus, has a mounded, upright habit about 1 foot high. Flowers are either pink, deep purple, white, violet and flower slightly earlier than other asters. Used in rock gardens, and for edging since it is short. Will self-seed as not a long-lived plant. Prefers a sandier soil than other asters.
Comments:
Asters are often called Michaelmas Daisies because the flower at the same time St Michael’s Day is celebrated in England (September 29). There are many cultivars in lavender, violet, blues, and pinks. Since asters are either tall, short, erect, bushy or spreading, correct selection is critical. Read those plant labels as they are wealth of information.
Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum spp., previously named Aster
Family: Asteraceae
Form: upright or spreading depending on variety
Genus: Aster
Species: numerous species
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 10 inches to 6 feet depending on the variety, up to 4 feet wide
Origin: Great Britain, Europe, North & South America
Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 4 to 8
Leaves: entire, simple, alternate, soft, green, pinnate, pointed tip, linear
Flowers: composite, yellow flower disc surrounded by blue, purple,
white, or pink petals, blooms from September through fall
Exposure: full sun to partial shade, no blooms = too much shade
Soil: well-drained, soil tolerant
Propagation: root cuttings, divisions, cuttings, seeds
Uses: butterflies, bees, cut flower, perennial and mixed borders
Problems:
Tall asters tend to flop over so pinch back stems by a third in early June. This promotes bushier, shorter plants with more flowers. Prone to powdery mildew especially when planted in too much shade combined with dry soil.
Varieties & Cultivars:
There are 2 major types of aster: New England and New York. New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) tend to be smaller than the New England types though some grow to 4 feet. They have thin, hairless stems compared to the New England variety (Symphyotrichum nova-angliae), which have sturdier, hairy stems and foliage.
Another aster of note is the alpine aster, Symphyotrichum alpinus, has a mounded, upright habit about 1 foot high. Flowers are either pink, deep purple, white, violet and flower slightly earlier than other asters. Used in rock gardens, and for edging since it is short. Will self-seed as not a long-lived plant. Prefers a sandier soil than other asters.
Comments:
Asters are often called Michaelmas Daisies because the flower at the same time St Michael’s Day is celebrated in England (September 29). There are many cultivars in lavender, violet, blues, and pinks. Since asters are either tall, short, erect, bushy or spreading, correct selection is critical. Read those plant labels as they are wealth of information.
Bees love all the pollen asters produce.
'Audrey' is a compact and short New York aster.
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A tall New York aster becomes a cascading flower waterfall.
Even the back-end of an aster flower is a thing of beauty.
A New York aster blossom.
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December 2017- Christmas Rose
Common Name: Christmas rose
Botanical Name: Helleborus niger
Form: course leaves, rounded plant
Family: Ranunculaceae
Species: niger
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial evergreen
Mature Size: 1ft to 2ft x 3ft wide
Origin: Europe
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Foliage: dark green, leathery, thick, compound, palmate, serrated margins
Stems: all stems, including flowers, arise from a central crown.
Flowers: winter flowering, held in nodding clusters with prominent yellow stamens. Petal shape, number and colours differ depending on variety: red, maroon, pink, peach, yellow, white, spotted and striped.
Seed: numerous black seeds in a brown follicle, seeds are viable
Exposure: part shade
Soil: evenly moist, well-drained, needs water to establish new plants
Uses: garden beds, containers, cut flower, houseplant, perennial & shrub border, slopes (to enjoy their nodding flowers).
Propagation: harvest their seeds when their seed husk is brown and crispy. Place in a fridge for 8 weeks or allow them to seed themselves and let nature do the work. Plant can also be divided, but they don't do it too often as they like to be left undisturbed.
Problems: slugs, snails leaf spot, leaves, stems and roots are toxic if ingested.
There are many types of hellebores but only one is the Christmas rose (H. niger) as it flowers at Christmas. The Lenten rose (H. orientalis) blooms later and into early spring. Now with new and wonderful hybrids, selection is even better. Now is the time to go shopping for these winter jewels as you can see them in their prime.
Hellebores is a well-loved winter plant associated with Christmas because its rose-type flower blossoms in December. This long blooming plant continues to treat us with exquisite beauty well into the spring. The plant itself is composed of a circle of large bold leaves. Out if its center, leafless flower stalks appear. The flowers vary in size, up to 4 inches wide depending on the variety. Most varieties have 5 single petals with many long yellowish stamens protruding from the flower’s center. Their blossoms also nod, hiding their beauty to protect them from rain and snow. Breeders have developed new varieties that keep their flowers more upright such as Helleborus x hybridus, but there are many different types to choose from. Some flowers are spotted, striped, doubled, have wavy petals with coloured edges; there’s so many to choose from.
Botanical Name: Helleborus niger
Form: course leaves, rounded plant
Family: Ranunculaceae
Species: niger
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial evergreen
Mature Size: 1ft to 2ft x 3ft wide
Origin: Europe
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Foliage: dark green, leathery, thick, compound, palmate, serrated margins
Stems: all stems, including flowers, arise from a central crown.
Flowers: winter flowering, held in nodding clusters with prominent yellow stamens. Petal shape, number and colours differ depending on variety: red, maroon, pink, peach, yellow, white, spotted and striped.
Seed: numerous black seeds in a brown follicle, seeds are viable
Exposure: part shade
Soil: evenly moist, well-drained, needs water to establish new plants
Uses: garden beds, containers, cut flower, houseplant, perennial & shrub border, slopes (to enjoy their nodding flowers).
Propagation: harvest their seeds when their seed husk is brown and crispy. Place in a fridge for 8 weeks or allow them to seed themselves and let nature do the work. Plant can also be divided, but they don't do it too often as they like to be left undisturbed.
Problems: slugs, snails leaf spot, leaves, stems and roots are toxic if ingested.
There are many types of hellebores but only one is the Christmas rose (H. niger) as it flowers at Christmas. The Lenten rose (H. orientalis) blooms later and into early spring. Now with new and wonderful hybrids, selection is even better. Now is the time to go shopping for these winter jewels as you can see them in their prime.
Hellebores is a well-loved winter plant associated with Christmas because its rose-type flower blossoms in December. This long blooming plant continues to treat us with exquisite beauty well into the spring. The plant itself is composed of a circle of large bold leaves. Out if its center, leafless flower stalks appear. The flowers vary in size, up to 4 inches wide depending on the variety. Most varieties have 5 single petals with many long yellowish stamens protruding from the flower’s center. Their blossoms also nod, hiding their beauty to protect them from rain and snow. Breeders have developed new varieties that keep their flowers more upright such as Helleborus x hybridus, but there are many different types to choose from. Some flowers are spotted, striped, doubled, have wavy petals with coloured edges; there’s so many to choose from.
Flowers rise above the foliage during the midst of winter.
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A gently nodding pink lenten rose.
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Cotton Candy hellebore.
Seeds are ripe by summer and are viable.
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Hellebores have prominent stamens.
Hellebore leaves vary, but they all have 3 leaflets, like this Corsican hellebore leaflet.
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January 2018 - Chinese WItch Hazel
This orange hybrid witch hazel, is called Jelena (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena').
Common Name: Chinese witch hazel
Botanical Name: Hamamelis mollis
Form: open vase shape with a coarse texture
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Genus: Hamamelis (together with fruit as it bears flowers and seed at the same time)
Species: mollis
Plant Type: deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 10' to 15' tall and wide
Growth: fast
Origin: China
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8 (place in protected location in Zone 5)
Foliage: matte green that turn bright yellow in autumn, simple, undulating margins (leaf edges), alternate, ovate
Stems: tan coloured with lenticels
Flowers: flowers January to March, fragrant, yellow spider-like with 4 thin petals, reddish brown calyx
Seeds: a two part capsule
Exposure: part shade to full sun, leggy in too much shade
Soil: average soil with good drainage, prefers a rich organic soil, avoid drought by mulching and watering in summer
Uses: garden beds, perennial & shrub border, woodland gardens, winter and fall interest, cut flowers, H. virginiana, is used to produce the witch hazel astringent.
Propagation: suckers, softwood cuttings mid spring, layering
Pruning: To keep plant compact, prune after flowering by 1/3rd.
Problems: Remove suckers that arise from the roots to prevent them from spreading. Avoid planting too deeply as this promotes suckering. Plant so the crown (where roots and stem meet) sits at the soil surface. Do not bury the graft on grafted varieties as this also encourages suckers. Suckers sprout up from the base of the plant and keep their leaves on longer than the rest of the plant. No serious insects or diseases. Sometimes gets powdery mildew if soil is dry and not mulched. Root rot is common with wet soils.
Cultivars: The hardier native witch hazel, H. virginiana, is commonly used as a rootstock for the less hardy Chinese species. The native species flowers from October to December and not as fragrant as the H. mollis.
Hybrids and cultivars are bred to have larger flowers in reds, oranges and yellows. H. virginiana also is used to produce the witch hazel astringent.All types tend to sucker, including grafted ones. Remove suckers as soon as possible so they don't take over.
Botanical Name: Hamamelis mollis
Form: open vase shape with a coarse texture
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Genus: Hamamelis (together with fruit as it bears flowers and seed at the same time)
Species: mollis
Plant Type: deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 10' to 15' tall and wide
Growth: fast
Origin: China
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8 (place in protected location in Zone 5)
Foliage: matte green that turn bright yellow in autumn, simple, undulating margins (leaf edges), alternate, ovate
Stems: tan coloured with lenticels
Flowers: flowers January to March, fragrant, yellow spider-like with 4 thin petals, reddish brown calyx
Seeds: a two part capsule
Exposure: part shade to full sun, leggy in too much shade
Soil: average soil with good drainage, prefers a rich organic soil, avoid drought by mulching and watering in summer
Uses: garden beds, perennial & shrub border, woodland gardens, winter and fall interest, cut flowers, H. virginiana, is used to produce the witch hazel astringent.
Propagation: suckers, softwood cuttings mid spring, layering
Pruning: To keep plant compact, prune after flowering by 1/3rd.
Problems: Remove suckers that arise from the roots to prevent them from spreading. Avoid planting too deeply as this promotes suckering. Plant so the crown (where roots and stem meet) sits at the soil surface. Do not bury the graft on grafted varieties as this also encourages suckers. Suckers sprout up from the base of the plant and keep their leaves on longer than the rest of the plant. No serious insects or diseases. Sometimes gets powdery mildew if soil is dry and not mulched. Root rot is common with wet soils.
Cultivars: The hardier native witch hazel, H. virginiana, is commonly used as a rootstock for the less hardy Chinese species. The native species flowers from October to December and not as fragrant as the H. mollis.
Hybrids and cultivars are bred to have larger flowers in reds, oranges and yellows. H. virginiana also is used to produce the witch hazel astringent.All types tend to sucker, including grafted ones. Remove suckers as soon as possible so they don't take over.
Brevipetala Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis 'Brevipetala', bears many short ochre coloured petals.
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Copper red flowers of the hybrid Diane witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia 'Diane'), grows 12'x8'
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Chinese witch hazel are known for their bright and fragrant flowers during the dull days of winter.
Flower buds dot the stems during the summer so prune right after flowering. Pruning later will remove their flower buds.
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The typical open vase shape of most witch hazels.
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A Chinese witch hazel seems to glow during a sunny November day.
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Witch hazels are not that noticeable during the summer, except for their open vase shape.
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Their wavy and simple leaves gradually are nothing fancy until they turn yellow in fall.
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March 2018- Flowering Currant
A close-up of the King Edward VII flowering currant.
Common Name: Flowering Currant
Botanical Name: Ribes sanguineum
Form: upright arching to rounded
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species: sanguineum (blood red)
Plant Type: broadleaf multistemmed deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 5 - 8 ft tall and 3 - 5 ft wide
Growth: moderate
Origin: native to British Columbia to northern California
Hardiness Zone: 6
Foliage: Alternate, simple with 3 to 5 rounded lobes, dark green, doubly serrated, appear ruffled, slightly hairy and paler underneath. Yellow to red autumn colours.
Flowers: clusters of 10 to 30 red, pink or white pendulous long racemes up to 8 cm long of ½ cm tubular flowers, March, April.
Fruit: dark blue with a thin waxy coating, up to 9 mm long, edible, but not flavourful, suitable for jam and jellies
Stems: Thin orange or red stems that mature to greyish brown.
Exposure: sun to partial shade
Soil: soil tolerant, well-drained, moderately fertile soils, neutral or slightly acidic pH, clay soils, organic mulch beneficial, drought tolerant once established
Uses: foundation plantings, massing, mixed border, native, hedge row, small garden, woodland margin, humming birds, birds, butterflies
Propagation: soft wood cuttings in spring, semi-hard wood in summer and hard wood cuttings in winter, heel-cuttings November to February, refrigerate seeds for 3 months then sow.
Pruning: Prune after flowering by 1/3rd, if needed.
Problems: Don't plant near pine trees as hosts white pine blister rust, susceptible to honey fungus, but has few problems.
Cultivars: ‘White Icicle’ with white flowers, ‘Poky's Pig’ pink flowers, and a compacted cultivar is ‘King Edward VII’, which has deep red flowers.
Comments: A beautiful and reliable native shrub. Flower clusters, shaped like grapes, dangle in profusion in early spring. Many birds enjoy these lovely flowers as well as hummingbirds and butterflies.
Botanical Name: Ribes sanguineum
Form: upright arching to rounded
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species: sanguineum (blood red)
Plant Type: broadleaf multistemmed deciduous shrub
Mature Size: 5 - 8 ft tall and 3 - 5 ft wide
Growth: moderate
Origin: native to British Columbia to northern California
Hardiness Zone: 6
Foliage: Alternate, simple with 3 to 5 rounded lobes, dark green, doubly serrated, appear ruffled, slightly hairy and paler underneath. Yellow to red autumn colours.
Flowers: clusters of 10 to 30 red, pink or white pendulous long racemes up to 8 cm long of ½ cm tubular flowers, March, April.
Fruit: dark blue with a thin waxy coating, up to 9 mm long, edible, but not flavourful, suitable for jam and jellies
Stems: Thin orange or red stems that mature to greyish brown.
Exposure: sun to partial shade
Soil: soil tolerant, well-drained, moderately fertile soils, neutral or slightly acidic pH, clay soils, organic mulch beneficial, drought tolerant once established
Uses: foundation plantings, massing, mixed border, native, hedge row, small garden, woodland margin, humming birds, birds, butterflies
Propagation: soft wood cuttings in spring, semi-hard wood in summer and hard wood cuttings in winter, heel-cuttings November to February, refrigerate seeds for 3 months then sow.
Pruning: Prune after flowering by 1/3rd, if needed.
Problems: Don't plant near pine trees as hosts white pine blister rust, susceptible to honey fungus, but has few problems.
Cultivars: ‘White Icicle’ with white flowers, ‘Poky's Pig’ pink flowers, and a compacted cultivar is ‘King Edward VII’, which has deep red flowers.
Comments: A beautiful and reliable native shrub. Flower clusters, shaped like grapes, dangle in profusion in early spring. Many birds enjoy these lovely flowers as well as hummingbirds and butterflies.
I love my flowering currant.
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King Edward VII flowering currant bears deep red flowers.
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An unnamed pink flowering currant.
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A pink flowering currant.
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A white flowering currant cultivar called White Icicle.
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White Icicle flowering currant.
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Flowering currant's fruit are not that tasty but are good for jam and jellies.
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Flowering currant's foliage turns yellow and/or red in the autumn.
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April 2017 - Aubretia, Purple Rock Cress
Purple Prince tulips and white aubretia grow at their feet.
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Simple blue-violet flowers of the aubretia.
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Common Name: aubretia, purple rock cress
Botanical Name: Aubrieta deltoidea
Form: prostrate, low spreading
Family: Brassiceae (mustard family)
Genus: Aubrieta
Species: deltoidea
Plant Type: evergreen, herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 2 foot spread, ground hugging
Growth: fast
Origin: Southern Eugrope to central Asia
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Foliage: evergreen, green oval shaped often lobed
Flowers: pink, violet or white flowers with four petals
Fruit: hairy 2 cm silique (a long capsule that splits open)
Exposure: fun sun, light shade
Soil: light, well-drained soil, pH tolerant, drought tolerant once established
Uses: groundcover, rockery, container, window boxes,
Propagation: seeds, plant divisions
Pruning: deadhead with some scissors right after flowering so they will re-flower, cut back scraggly plants by 1/3rd after flowering
Problems: doesn’t like soggy soil and needs sun to flower well
Cultivars: Red Cascade’, ‘Royal Blue’, white ‘Purity’ or violet ‘Doctor Mules’.
Comments: A ground hugging mat that smothers the ground and looks good even when it is not in flower. This non-invasive, easy care groundcover also looks great spilling over planter rims and oozing over retaining walls and cascading rockeries. A great plant for bees as they love the masses of flowers.
Botanical Name: Aubrieta deltoidea
Form: prostrate, low spreading
Family: Brassiceae (mustard family)
Genus: Aubrieta
Species: deltoidea
Plant Type: evergreen, herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 2 foot spread, ground hugging
Growth: fast
Origin: Southern Eugrope to central Asia
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Foliage: evergreen, green oval shaped often lobed
Flowers: pink, violet or white flowers with four petals
Fruit: hairy 2 cm silique (a long capsule that splits open)
Exposure: fun sun, light shade
Soil: light, well-drained soil, pH tolerant, drought tolerant once established
Uses: groundcover, rockery, container, window boxes,
Propagation: seeds, plant divisions
Pruning: deadhead with some scissors right after flowering so they will re-flower, cut back scraggly plants by 1/3rd after flowering
Problems: doesn’t like soggy soil and needs sun to flower well
Cultivars: Red Cascade’, ‘Royal Blue’, white ‘Purity’ or violet ‘Doctor Mules’.
Comments: A ground hugging mat that smothers the ground and looks good even when it is not in flower. This non-invasive, easy care groundcover also looks great spilling over planter rims and oozing over retaining walls and cascading rockeries. A great plant for bees as they love the masses of flowers.
A pink cultivar of a pink rock cress.
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A close-up of pretty aubretia blossoms.
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Cut off spent flowers with scissors for aubretias for flower again.
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Simple flowers with yellow stamens define aubretias.
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Happy aubretia plants smother these large rocks.
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Love plants, love to garden.
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