Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Rainbow’
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Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Rainbow’ Family: Ericaceae Syn. Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Girard’s Rainbow’ |
| Description: An evergreen shrub with cascading form and slow growth rate. Bright green, leathery, lanceolate-shaped leaves are splashed with varying degrees of white and pink. Fall foliage colours are a rainbow of deep burgundy, bright red, oranges, and yellows. White flowers are displayed in drooping clusters in spring.
Special Notes: The species, Leucothoe fontanesiana, is native to the eastern part of North America. This particular cultivar was discovered as a seedling at the Hillier Nurseries in England. While most references state leucothoe should be planted in at least partial shade, some have confessed to giving it full sun. The amount of sun this shrub receives daily will directly impact on how much variable colour will develop on the leaves. The more sun, the more colour. However, it has been stated, extended direct sun can scorch, thus damaging the leaves.
Caution: Leaves and flower nectar are highly toxic if ingested. Harmful to children, pets, horses, and especially goats.
In our Zone 7a garden: Our leucothoe shrub is planted along the edge of the driveway, in some very tough soil. It is part of a delightful mass planting of admirable shrubs (Kerria japonica, oakleaf hydrangea, Skimmia japonica, Leucothoe, Viburnum davidii) which have now all grown together. All but the kerria are evergreen, and because of the mass overlapping of branches, it is difficult to get much amendment material underneath, although we do try. Another factor in that bed are roots from two large maple trees nearby. I mention all of this because every resource claimed Leucothoe fontanesiana prefers moist, humus-rich, well-draining soil. They also claim this shrub does not tolerate drought. Well…in our garden, this shrub is not planted in humus-rich soil and it does not get much moisture…competing as it does with trees and other mature shrubs. And yet, it thrives beautifully. If I was to change one thing about its placement, it would be to give it more sun. Mine is sited in almost complete shade…getting only a little sun late in the day. And this impacts on the colour variation in its leaves. Mine are mostly green with a bit of white. I have to wait until autumn to get the beautiful rainbow display. As for its toxicity…while I do not doubt the warnings I read concerning this shrub, our grandchildren and two dogs have never attempted to pick the leaves or chewed on them. But then, I have taught the kids they are not to put anything in their mouths without first asking Grandma if it is edible. And all of our dogs have been trained not to chew on our plants, or dig holes in the beds. Goats, indeed, would be another matter.
Posted on September 12, 2016 |
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Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’
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Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ Family: Hydrangeaceae (hy-DRAIN-jah pah-nik-yew-LAY-tah)
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 Description: A deciduous shrub with an upright form and moderate growth rate. Dark green, ovate-shaped leaves are slightly glossy. Branches are tipped with slender, conical-shaped, flower-heads made up of a multitude of smaller white florets. Bloom period from early July through to end of September. Flowers are sterile.
Special Notes: Native to Kyushu, Japan, softwood cuttings were collected in 1926 by renowned ornithologist, plant collector, and gardener, Captain Collingwood Ingram. These cuttings were given to an arboretum in Belgium for growing on and eventual distribution.
Of special note are the lovely conical-shaped white flowers with their long bloom period. An added feature is the white colour is not marred by turning brown as the flower dies back.
In our Zone 7a garden: This shrub has truly thrived in full, hot sun all summer long. Granted, we made sure the plant was watered regularly when it was first introduced into our landscape. But once established with a good root system, the shrub has been purely delightful for the floral display it gives over a very long period…with just a minimum of water every week.
Posted on September 10, 2016
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Weigela florida ‘Tango’
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Weigela florida ‘Tango’ Family: Caprifoliaceae (wy-GEE-lah FLOOR-ih-dah) Common name: none |
| Description: A deciduous shrub with a densely compact, slightly rounded habit. Typical growth is slightly shorter in height than width. Leaves are elliptical in shape and darkly greenish-purple on top, dark green on their underside. Red, funnel-shaped flowers appear either in clusters, or singly along the branches of the previous year’s growth. Bloom time is mid- to late spring. A more sparse repeat bloom often occurs on new growth later in the summer. Flowers are a particular favourite of hummingbirds.
Special Notes: Native to China, Japan, and Korea, the first specimens of this genus were collected by Robert Fortune of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1845 where they soon became established in many English gardens. There are ten to fourteen species in the Weigela genus with roughly 180 cultivars now available…most of which are variations in the W. florida species. ‘Tango’ was bred by Dr. Felicitas Svejda at the Agricultural Canada Experimental Farm in the 1980s. It is one of what is known as the Dance Series. ‘Minuet’, ‘Rumba’, ‘Samba’, and ‘Polka’ round out the dance steps. They were all bred for better cold hardiness, suitable to withstanding our Canadian winters. As with most plants, ‘Tango’ benefits from being planted in rich, humousy soil. However, most weigelas are quite tolerant of poorer soils but, to be kind to your plant, apply an annual top-dressing of compost or aged manure. The lovely dark foliage is darkest when plant is sited in full sun but will remain reasonably dark-leaved in light shade with some sun hours. Like most weigela species, this cultivar is very easy care, plus relatively pest and disease free. Moderately drought tolerant, but does benefit from some watering during particularly long stretches of dry weather. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagation by cuttings in June, after flowering is finished.
In our Zone 7a garden: This plant is a new addition to my front garden in Spring 2016. Stay tuned for updates on its progress.
Posted on July 12, 2016 |
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Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’
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Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ Family: Rutaceaa (SKIM-ee-ah jah-PON-ih-kah) Common name: Japanese skimmia |
| Description: A slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a dense, dome-shaped growth habit. Glossy, bright green leaves are broad with smooth edges. Panicles of deep-red flower buds appear in winter, opening in spring into showy clusters of highly fragrant, white flowers with yellow anthers. Special Notes: Native to Japan. This is a male cultivar. No female ‘Rubella’ plants. This male can still be used to pollinate other female skimmia plants. Can be pruned to shape once flowering is finished in spring. Reasonably drought tolerant once established. Propagation by softwood cuttings in summer. Caution: Leaves are toxic if ingested in large quantities.
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Cotinus ‘Grace’
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Cotinus ‘Grace’ Family: Anacardiaceae (koe-TY-nus) Common name: smoke bush; smoke tree; smokewood |
| Description: Deciduous shrub with a pleasing, multi-branched, natural-forming shape. Boasts lovely round leaves that emerge light red in spring, darkening to a reddish-purple in summer before turning a brilliant orange-red in autumn. Large, open panicles of frothy pink flowers appear in early summer. Special Notes: A cross between Cotinus coggygria ‘Velvet Cloak’ (a seedling discovered in a nursery in the US) and Cotinus obovulatus (native to SE United States). Pleasing, natural growth form requires little pruning and then only to keep paths clear or make room for its neighbour. Deer resistant. Tends to be susceptible to verticillium wilt and powdery mildew. Allow airflow to minimize. Propagation is difficult.
Great Plant Pick 2003
Posted on November 6, 2014 |
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