Choisya x dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’

Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'

Choisya x dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’
(CHOY-zee-ah duh-wit-ee-AY-nuh)
Family: Rutaceae

Common name: Mexican mock orange;
Mexican orange blossom
Zone: 7 – 10
Height: 8 ft (2.5m) Spread: 8 ft (2.5m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: fertile; well-draining
Water: regular

Description: An evergreen, dense, rounded shrub. Aromatic, glossy, bright yellow-green leaves made up of three oblong leaflets. Clusters of fragrant, star-shaped, creamy white flowers appear in late spring. There may be a second flowering in autumn.

 

Special Notes: A cross between Choisya ternata and Choisya dumosa var. arizonica bred by Peter Moore of Hilliers Nurseries in 1982. This cultivar was the first hybrid in the genus and named for the French nurseryman, Dominique de Witte. Needs protection in Zone 7. Will tolerate seaside conditions but not direct exposure to salty winds. Prune into shape after flowering. Leaves will be more golden yellow if grown in full sun. Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring; hardwood cuttings in autumn.

 

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

 

Updated on January 17, 2013

Spiraea x bumalda ‘Goldflame’

 

Spiraea x bumalda 'Goldflame'

Spiraea x bumalda ‘Goldflame’          Family: Rosaceae
(spy-REE-ah jah-PON-ih-kah)
Common name: ‘Goldflame’ spirea
Zone: 4 – 8
Height: 3 – 4 ft (90 – 120cm)
Spread: 3 – 4 ft (90 – 120cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: A deciduous shrub with an upright growth habit. Small sharply-toothed, lanceolate leaves are burnished yellow to yellowish-green tipped with red. Masses of showy rose-pink flowers appear in late spring through summer.

 

Special Notes: Native to Japan. Foliage tends to hold less golden hue in deeper shade. Flowers are formed on current year’s growth; either prune to shape or cut back young stems and remove old stems in early spring. Late frost can damage new growth. Drought tolerant. Rabbit resistant. Propagate by seed; softwood cuttings in summer.

 

Posted on January 12, 2013; updated on April 7, 2022

 

Hypericum androsaemum ‘Albury Purple’

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple'

Hypericum androsaemum ‘Albury Purple’
(hy-PARE-ih-cum an-droe-SAY-mum)
Family: Clusiaceae
Common name: St. John’s wort; Tutsan
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 24 – 36 in (60 – 90 cm)
Spread: 36 in (90 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An evergreen sub-shrub with an upright, clump-forming habit. Ovate, 4 inch (10 cm) long, green leaves are flushed with purple. Bright yellow, 5-petalled, star-shaped flowers appear in summer. Round, black berries follow.

 

Special Notes: Native to western and southwestern Europe, the Mediterranean and Caucasus. Good cut flowers. Leaves are resin-scented when bruised. Fall foliage colour adds wonderful impact to the garden. Watch for rust and leaf spot. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn.

 

Caution: Best to prune shrub before the black berries drop. Can self-seed somewhat enthusiastically. However, unwanted seedlings are easily pulled out. Invasive weed in New Zealand and Australia.

 

Posted on October 19, 2012; Updated on March 12, 2022

 

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’ (Diablo®)

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' (Diablo®)

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’ Family: Rosaceae
(fy-so-KAR-pus op-yew-lih-FOE-lee-us)
syn. Physocarpus opulifolius Diablo®

Common name: ninebark
Zone: 3 – 7
Height: 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) Spread: 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: A deciduous shrub with upright, arching branches. Ovate, three-lobed, toothed leaves are a delicious dark chocolate colour tinged with purple. Corymbs of white flowers with tinges of pink appear in early summer.

 

Special Notes: Native to North America. Foliage can turn a dark green colour in excessive heat or when grown in excessive shade. Flowers on last year’s wood; prune for shaping right after flowering to remove crossed branches or dead wood. Wonderful exfoliating bark for winter interest. Propagate by seed; softwood cuttings in summer; rooted suckers in spring or autumn.

 

RHS Award of Garden Merit 2002

 

In our Zone 7a garden: A few of the dark leaves have shown areas of reversion to green, typically along the mid-vein. No major reversion change on the shrub as a whole has been noted, as in whole branches of leaves reverting to a variegation of dark chocolate mixed with green. There have just been one varied leaf here and one there kind of occurrence. If the appearance of leaf variegation disturbs you, the leaf is easily removed. Even with the odd leaf reversion happening…this is one of our favourite plants. Give it space in your garden to adequately show off its stellar vase-like form.

 

 

Posted on August 29, 2012; updated on February 3, 2013

 

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold'

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’
(fy-so-KAR-pus op-yew-lih-FOE-lee-us)
Family: Rosaceae

Common name: Dart’s gold ninebark
Zone: 3 – 7
Height: 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) Spread: 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: A deciduous shrub with upright, arching branches. Ovate, three-lobed, toothed leaves are a brilliant yellow that turn lime-green in late summer – then yellow again with bronzy-red highlights in autumn. Corymbs of white flowers with tinges of pink appear in early summer.

 

Special Notes: Native to North America. Flowers on last year’s wood; prune for shaping right after flowering to remove crossed branches or dead wood. Wonderful exfoliating bark for winter interest. Propagate by seed; softwood cuttings in summer; rooted suckers in spring or autumn.

 

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

 

Posted on August 18, 2012

 

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