unusual shrubs

Nandina domestica – Heavenly Bamboo

2008-11-03T22:33:00.004+01:00

Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo or Sacred bamboo), is a suckering shrub in the Barberry family, Berberidaceae; it is a monotypic genus, with this species as its only member. It is native to eastern Asia from the Himalaya east to Japan. Despite the common name, it is not a bamboo at all.

It is an erect shrub growing to 2 m tall, with numerous, usually unbranched stems growing from the roots. The leaves are evergreen (sometimes deciduous in colder areas), 50-100 cm long, bi- to tri-pinnately compound, with the individual leaflets 4-11 cm long and 1.5-3 cm broad. The young leaves in spring are brightly coloured pink to red before turning green; old leaves turn red or purple again before falling. The flowers are white, borne in early summer in conical clusters held well above the foliage. The fruit is a bright red berry 5-10 mm diameter, ripening in late autumn and often persisting through the winter. The berries are poisonous containing nandenine. The birds are not affected and will disperse the seeds through their droppings. It can be fatal if ingested. All parts of the the plant contains a poisonous substance hydrocyanic acid.

It is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant; over 60 cultivars have been named in Japan, where the species is particularly popular. It has become naturalised in parts of eastern South America.

Elaeagnus x ebbingei Limelight - Oleaster Plant

2008-10-18T23:38:00.004+02:00

Elaeagnus (Silverberry or Oleaster) is a genus of about 50–70 species of flowering plants in the Elaeagnaceae. The vast majority of the species are native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, with one species (E. triflora) extending south into northeastern Australia, and another species (E. commutata) restricted to North America. A third species (E. angustifolia) may also be native in southeasternmost Europe, though it may be an early human introduction there.

They are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees with alternate leaves. The leaves and shoots are usually covered with tiny silvery to brownish scales, giving the plants a whitish to grey-brown colour from a distance. The flowers are small, with a four-lobed calyx and no petals; they are often fragrant.

Elaeagnus x ebbingei Limelight - Oleaster Plant

Lustrous, dark green leaves with lime-green and yellow-splashed centres and fragrant, creamy-white, autumn flowers. This versatile, variegated plant is ideal for illuminating dark areas of the shrub border or for growing as an informal hedge. One of the toughest evergreen shrubs, it copes well with dry soil and salt-laden air - so ideal if you have a coastal garden.

Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)

2008-09-26T12:49:00.008+02:00

Firethorn (Pyracantha) is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family Rosaceae, subfamily Maloideae. They are native from southeast Europe east to southeast Asia, and are closely related to Cotoneaster, but have serrated leaf margins and numerous thorns (Cotoneaster is thornless).

The plants reach up to 6 m tall. The seven species have white flowers and either red, orange, or yellow berries (more correctly pomes). The flowers are produced during late spring and early summer; the pomes develop from late summer, and mature in late autumn.

Pyracanthas are valuable ornamental plants, grown in gardens for their decorative flowers and fruit, often very densely borne. Their dense thorny structure makes them particularly valued in situations where an impenetrable barrier is required. The aesthetic characteristics of pyracanthas plants, in conjunction with their home security qualities, makes them a considerable alternative to artificial fences and walls. They are also a good shrub for a wildlife garden, providing dense cover for roosting and nesting birds, summer flowers for bees and an abundance of berries as a food source. Pyracantha berries are not poisonous as commonly thought; although they are very bitter, they are edible when cooked and are sometimes made into jelly.

Laburnum - 'golden chain tree'

2008-09-16T22:22:00.004+02:00

Laburnum (also called Golden Chain) is a genus of two species of small trees in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae, Laburnum anagyroides (Common Laburnum) and L. alpinum (Alpine Laburnum). They are native to the mountains of southern Europe from France to the Balkan Peninsula

They have yellow pea-flowers in pendulous racemes 10-30 cm (4-12 in) long in spring, which makes them very popular garden trees. In L. anagyroides the racemes are 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long, with densely packed flowers; in L. alpinum the racemes are 20-30 cm (8-12 in) long, but with the flowers sparsely along the raceme.

The leaves are trifoliate, somewhat like a clover, the leaflets typically 2-3 cm (¾-1¼ in) long in L. anagyroides and 4-5 cm (1½-2 in) long in L. alpinum.

Most garden specimens are of the hybrid between the two species, Laburnum × watereri (Voss's Laburnum), which combines the longer racemes of L. alpinum with the denser flowers of L. anagyroides; it also has the benefit of low seed production (Laburnum seed toxicity is a common cause of poisoning in young children, who mistake the seeds for peas).

The yellow flowers are responsible for the old poetic name 'golden chain tree' (also spelled golden chaintree or goldenchain tree).

Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata'; F. sylvatica 'Tricolor'

2008-09-09T14:59:00.011+02:00

One of the smallest beeches, and one which does best in a sunny, rather than a sheltered position.

The purple leaves of this small to medium, rounded tree, which only seldom reaches 15m, have attractive pink edges.The width of these margins is variable and the foliage sometimes displays pink-white stripes.It does best in a sunny, sheltered position, and is good for parks and woodland plantings.It does well in most reasonably fertile, well drained soils, except heavy clay or light sand.

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' - Love tree

2008-08-27T14:24:00.006+02:00

Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) is very beautiful while flowering, but in the summer it is just like any other tree with green leaves. Last year I finally got a cercis with purple leaves Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'.

Forest Pansy is often called The Love Tree because of the unusual shape and colour of its leaves which do look like a heart icon. Their colour is bronze to deep burgundy, sometimes with green shades or veins. This small sized tree has an upright habit with low branches and is attractive all year round not only because of the foliage but also for its unique small pea-like flowers which come out in April/May and are bright pink.
They appear on bare branches before the leaves. It has no special soil requirements, but it needs a lot of moisture - not a wet spot and a place sheltered from strong early spring sunlight and freezing winter winds. Do not prune.

Red Shrub 2 - Photinia

2008-08-25T23:07:00.008+02:00

Common Name: Christmas berry

Genus: Photinia

Species: x fraseri

Cultivar: 'Red Robin'Skill

Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade

Hardiness: Hardy

Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist

Height: 400cm

Spread: 400cm

Flowering period: April to May

Photinia, or Christmas berry, is a genus of Asian and North American shrubs, which includes a group of evergreen hybrids grown specifically for their colourful young foliage. Most are forms of the garden hybrid P. x fraseri, with glossy dark green adult foliage, and variable red tinted young leaves, especially as they just unfold. 'Red Robin' is one, a choice form with eye-catching juvenile growth the colour of sealing wax, similar to a pieris. This is sometimes caught by late spring frosts, and some shelter is advisable. Plants enjoy a sunny or partially shaded position in moist but well-drained soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given its prestigious Award of Garden Merit(AGM) to this plant

Red shrub Harlekin Berberis

2008-08-20T12:10:00.006+02:00

I have several specimens of Berberis and most of them are redish, but Harlekin Berberis ( Berberis Thunbergii Rose Glow ) is specific and the most beautiful.

Harlekin Berberis is a lovely ornamental compact (up to 1.5m) hedging plant. Its young foliage held on arching branches is initially purple, then developing pink, cream and silver variegation which last all summer before the autumn foliage turns glowing red before dropping (it is deciduous). It has small pale yellow flowers (tinged red) in late spring and bright red berries in autumn. The variegation is improved by pruning annually in autumn/winter. It grows by about 25cm pa.This variety of Berberis is good on poor soils, and will do well in most sites other than very wet and full shade.

Shrubs And Small Trees

2008-08-19T21:13:00.002+02:00

Shrubs are the garden's backbone, bringing beauty, comfort and pleasure to the landscape by adding structure to the outdoors. Before purchasing another plant for the garden, invest in shrubs. They offer years of low maintenance satisfaction, often at a cheap price. Shrubs change how you feel about being outside. They can create a sense of privacy and psychological comfort by handing unsightly views and physical comfort by altering wind, light, and noise pollution.
What Shrubs do for you Landscape
Shrubs are one of the most versatile plants you can use in your landscape. They can help you control the wind in your yard by creating a windbreak to divert harsh winter winds or to channel a soft summer breeze. Shrubs create shade to manage light, glare, and reflection levels in the garden. They can slow erosion in problem areas such as slopes, where soil, grass, and flowers wash away, and hold the bank in place. Well placed shrubs can prevent the hot summer sun from entering the house or allow winter sunlight to brighten and warn the house.
Shrubs hide the source of street noises, making your time at home and in the garden more peaceful and relaxing. Densely branched shrubs from the essence of privacy and screen unwanted views from your landscape Shrubs help to direct people and animals where you want them to go, forming either real or perceived barriers activity.
A shrub with unusual, showy properties can easily become the focus can easily become the focus of an entire landscape design. Shrubs delineate space. Like walls in a building, they create spaces from outdoor living, as well as ease the shift between constructed and natural environments...