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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Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’
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Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ Family: Caprifoliaceae |
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Description: A deciduous shrub with an upright growth habit. Purple-black leaves are deeply cut, lending the plant the exotic look of a Japanese maple. Masses of showy cream-pink flowers appear in summer followed by dark, purple-black berries in late summer.
Special Notes: Native to Europe. Foliage holds its colour well, even in full sun. Plant benefits from an initial hard pruning in late winter or early spring if a fuller shape is desired. If garden space dictates keeping this shrub within boundaries, prune on a two or three year cycle as flowers are born on two year old stems. Berries are edible. Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer.
Great Plant Pick 2010; Sambucus genus – Herb of the Year 2013
Posted on May 12, 2013 |
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Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’
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Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ Family: Caprifoliaceae Common name: golden American elderberry |
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Description: Description: A deciduous shrub with an upright growth habit. Foliage is yellow to yellow-green. Masses of creamy white flowers appear in late spring or early summer followed by red berries in late summer. Berries are edible if cooked.
Special Notes: Native to eastern North America. Foliage will be more yellow in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Plant benefits from an initial hard pruning in late winter or early spring if a fuller shape is desired. If garden space dictates keeping this shrub within boundaries, prune on a two or three year cycle as flowers are born on two year old stems. Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer; hardwood cuttings in late winter.
Sambucus genus – Herb of the Year 2013
Posted on May 12, 2013 |
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