Crinodendron is a genus of evergreen shrub or small tree native to the forests of Chile. They have crimson or pink lantern-shaped flowers that, unusually, hang under the branches. These are partly hardy plants that will tolerate a minor frost but do best in part shade in well-drained, humus-rich acid soil.
Pieris japonica is a hardy evergreen flowering shrub that has distinctive new red leaves early in the season. These new red leaves turn yellow then green as they mature. Certain cultivars can have very dark red leaves.
Plant Family – Part of the Ericaceae family or heath family, same as rhododendron, heathers, cranberry and blueberry, and my favourite bilberries.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to China, Taiwan and Japan, especially in the mountainous regions.
Common Names – It is often called the Andromeda.
Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped, similar to lily-of-the-valley. Colours ranging from reddish pink to white.
Foliage – The leaves usually start red when they first emerge, fading to yellow, light green and through to dark green as they mature. Being evergreen the leaves are glossy and leathery in form.
Height and Spread – Typically a slow growing shrub that can stay within 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, although they can develop into a more straggly, woody tree up to about 12 feet.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil, acidic side. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, or any moist, shaded and cool position. Too much sun or frost can scorch the leaves and turn them brown. They need regular water in dry conditions but don’t like soggy wet conditions.
Overall, in the right position they can be a trouble free, easy to maintain plant that gives a splendid splash of colour in the spring and maintain its foliage all year round. Just remember it is an acid loving plant and if you have neutral or alkaline soil it will require specific acidic feed to keep it going.
The Common Bluebell, scientifically known as the Hyacithoides non-scripta, is to be found flowering in the woodlands of Western Europe and the British Isles. This bulbous perennial flowers, en masse, during April and May and produces a spectacle that has inspired and challenged artist for generations.
Plant Family – Part of the Asparagaceae family or asparagus family that includes Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to the areas of Western Europe near to the Atlantic Ocean.
Common Names – It is often called the Common Bluebell or Woodland Bluebell.
Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped in a single violet-blue colour. The flowers grow on one side of the stem producing a curved flower head, unlike the Bluebells more often found in gardens.
Foliage – The leaves spread radially at ground level leaving the stems to grow from up and flower.
Height and Spread – The bulbs lay dormant in the ground over winter and come back to life in the spring. The leaves spread about 12″ around the base and the steps come up between 12″ to 18″ inches high.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, but also work in a wildflower meadow, cottage garden or herbaceous border.
Overall, these plants will thrive and multiply, once established and protected from damage. Walking over them can lead to permanent damage that they will struggle to recover from. Admire from a distance.
Callistemon is a genus of exotic flowering plant from the Myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Commonly called the bottlebrush plant for obvious reasons.
Currently, there is a debate as to what plants should be specified as Callistemon and those that are a closely related genus, Melaleuca. It appears that on DNA evidence alone most Callistemons are in fact Melaleucas. This is disputed due to differences in physical make-up of the flowers. This has been going on for over 150 years so still a work in progress.
What is the difference between Melaleuca and Callistemon?
The two genus both belong to the Myrtaceae family but historically have been kept separate because of certain characteristics of the flower. In both cases they can look like a ‘bottlebrush’, ie. A brush for cleaning bottles with. The stamens growing in clumps from the central woody branch with just a small petal array at the base of each clump.
The melaleuca was defined by the difference that these multi-stamen flowers had stamen that are fused into small groups at the base, whilst Callistemon doesn’t. That isn’t a valid difference in every case. For instance Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush) has stamen that are also fused into small groups at the base.
Recent use of DNA testing has shown that these two genera are more closely connected than was originally assumed. Most botanists will take one side or the other, follow the DNA or stick with the visible characteristics and keep the two genera separate. Where I live, if they look like a bottlebrush, they will be referred to as Bottlebrush for a long time to come.
Convolvulus arvensis, commonly known as field bindweed, makes a pretty show in the local wildlife meadow. However, if it’s allowed the space to prosper, it can be a real pain to subdue. If it invades farm crops then it can be hard to eradicate and cause loss of production.
It is one of many species in the family Convolvulaceae or bindweed family. In the garden we mainly see its bigger brother, the giant bindweed (Calystegia silvatica), that grows higher and further than the field variety.
Field bindweed has smaller pink and white flowers, less trumpet like, and smaller arrow-shaped leaves. It grows close to the ground and in a meadow situation has many more vigorous plants to compete against. Still, makes an attractive plant in the right situation.
Agapanthus plants are tall with a globe of flowers on a single stem, not unlike their cousins, Alliums, and Amaryllis. Predominantly blues, purple and white with bigger more dramatic flowers than Alliums. Native to Southern Africa, and commonly called African Lilies although they are not Lilies at all. They love the sun, well-drained soil but can also stand some drought. Ideal for keeping in pots as you can control spread and concentrate the flowering.
Aeonium arboreum or Tree Houseleek is a subtropical succulent plant native of the Canary Islands and Madeira but has spread to the Iberian Peninsula and North African coast. They make good houseplants and can be grown in patio pots in a sunny position. They should be covered or brought indoors when temperatures fall.
