Category Archives: List 12

Leycestoria formosa, Himalayan honeysuckle

WSYD0017253Leycesteria formosa, Himalayan honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Description:

This shrub is known for striking floral display in summer followed by attractive fruits in fall. This long blooming species has white flowers descending from showy red bracts. Fruit emerge as pink and transition to dark purple. Stems are vigorous, but take two years for wood to ripen to produce fruits. Any stem older than three years begin to deteriorate.

Growing conditions:

Leycesteria Formosa grows well in the Vancouver region. It is best in full-sun or part-shade in moist soil.

Suitable uses:

This species is valuable for both ornamental appeal as well as wildlife attraction. Leycesteria formosa is frequented by hummingbirds and butterflies when flowers are present as well as birds when fruit emerges. To truly highlight this attractive shrub, a knowledgeable grounds-person is needed for correctly pruning.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wlcutler/5120174998/in/photolist-vRhiBy-xJvt1L-w9jdRZ-3KBS2A-oLBwfV-npcqRW-bUwXrM-mYXdkR-fLXVEy-fUHm1Y-axmDoq-cRwvyf-a77yTQ-a77yGq-6HpGiS-cRwwew-6SkCgZ-8Np5JR-6SkAUi-nvXYk-5gkdRt-cRwwG9-5gpc5W-aqiExV-8tdCeD-6zevHR-an8aXY-6HtS9g-CU5PXW-8NseDh-8NseTj-8tgBL9-nrenXb-cRwxnC-5gpcd5-8tdFmB-CYXyyJ-8tdxqt-6SkzQv-rj5h2-ef4dcP-ef3kJn-ef9Wwy-a74FZT-8tgBRs-6BNsY1-DgwFCU-CoSEEi-tYuJum-tYxxBU

CC Image courtesy of Wendy Cutler on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/skrewtape/1806320076/in/photolist-3KBS2A-fDs2Da-g5ccnE-8Vszov-npcqRW-bUwXrM-mYXdkR-fLXVEy-fUHm1Y-axmDoq-6SkDZF-cRwvyf-a77yTQ-a77yGq-6HpGiS-cRwwew-6Skywk-an8aXY-6SkzQv-8tgGgE-cRwwG9-a74FT6-5gpc5W-aqiExV-6SkCgZ-8tdCeD-6zevHR-6HtS9g-CU5PXW-8NseDh-8NseTj-8tgBL9-nrenXb-cRwxnC-8Np5JR-5gpcd5-6SkAUi-nvXYk-9Bmx4R-8tdFmB-CYXyyJ-8tdxqt-5gkdRt-rj5h2-ef4dcP-ef3kJn-ef9Wwy-a74FZT-8tgBRs-6BNsY1

CC Image courtesty of Avi on Flickr

Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nippon’, dwarf mondo grass

Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nippon’Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nippon’, dwarf mondo grass

Family: Asparagaceae

Description:

Ophiopogon japonicus is a low-tufted grass growing a maximum 2-5 inches tall. It is dark in color and fine textured. Depending on site conditions, this clump-forming species can provide either an even or patchy covering.

Growing conditions:

This species is extremely shade tolerant. It is best in a protected area, away from foot traffic. To avoid browning of grass tips, it is best to plant at lower elevations, as this species is not particularly cold-hardy.

Suitable uses:

Ophiopogon is often used as a groundcover. If kept away from foot traffic this grass species will form a more even covering, neat and tidy in appearance. It works particularly well planted as islands interspersed with moss and rocks.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nestmaker/27272905863/in/photolist-Hy1LJT-kow2z-gLpUic-8DxkCJ-3gjQ4d-3jST3j-8W6fbw-eNnEXj-6F8psN-2tTPsk-bYNKoN-3jSVmf-3jNtz4-7FzGNg-8MWgVa-f2X7BE-rx1Ch1-eVBoHA-6iYcWW-m9uTh-bDtAE1-f2Wv1c-9KoJCA-qomEsP-5nzjHo-HVKmm-AfakK-7zJhZe-tWR7v-fAtWHJ-tj4rT-88kwL1-9AhVot-dX3EfU-8bs4w8-bqcpGm-rLE3d-9hrVTE-k2hh-88kxKA-dpUQRF-bmME8x-5aovdc-7bTcNu-ZE13V-5vSy8S-HVPqM-58F8fg-dojxGV-APo6FH

CC Image courtesy of Megan Hansen on Flickr

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nippon'_2

CC Image courtesy of Michael on Flickr

Eucalyptus gunnii, cider gum

Eucalyptus gunniiEucalyptus gunnii, cider gum

Family: Myrtacaea

Description

This is a small to mid-sized evergreen tree that is native to Australia. It is notable for its silvery-blue foliage with recognizable fragrance typical of Eucalyptus. Juvenile leaves are opposite and round, without petioles. As trees mature, leaves transitions to a lanceolate shape with alternate arrangement and petioles. This is fast growing species, growing up to two meters a year.

Growing conditions:

As the hardiest of all Eucalypus species, Eucalyptus gunnii grows well in the Vancouver region. It is realitively low maintenance and tolerant of drought. It is difficult to transplant, and new plants should be small.

Suitable uses:

While this tree can reach 12 m in height, regular pruning can keep it shrub-like in size, and can even be kept in a container. This tree offers variety of sensory additions to the landscape including aromatic interest and movement.  Due to difficulty transplanting when large, it can be hard to find commercially.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/shirokazan/8183072189/in/photolist-6YVuuC-r6HysF-7jD2Bn-7kdcwt-cCrCPL-7qL5fz-7pXcKR-7pXjER-93pEjF-93sL7U-7qCU39-7pX9Zk-93pECZ-7qCNkm-93zq6R-dt7ogx-nuXxa8-7tskwB

CC Image courtesy of shirokazan on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/artesaniaflorae/4155534147/in/photolist-6YVuuC-r6HysF-7jD2Bn-7kdcwt-cCrCPL-7qL5fz-7pXcKR-7pXjER-93pEjF-93sL7U-7qCU39-7pX9Zk-93pECZ-7qCNkm-93zq6R-dt7ogx-nuXxa8-7tskwB/

CC Image courtesy of Jukka Heinonen on Flickr