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Helleborus cyclophyllus

23 Apr

Helleborus cyclophyllus (29/03/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Ranunculaceae

Helleborus cyclophyllus is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a variable habit. Its dark green leaves are circular, deeply palmately divided with five leaflets. Its leaflets are lanceolate with serrulate margins. Its green flowers are pendent, cup shaped, produced on upright stems and up to 6cm across.

Helleborus cyclophyllus Flower (29/03/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Helleborus cyclophyllus, commonly known as Greek Hellebore, is native to the Balkans. In its native habitat to grows on mountain slopes, grassy banks and scrub.

The etymological root of the binomial name Helleborus is from the classical name for Helleborus niger. Cyclophyllus is derived from the Greek kyklo meaning ‘circular’ and phyllon meaning leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Helleborus cyclophyllus useful as an attractive early flowering herbaceous perennial suitable for planting at woodland margins. Care should be taken when locating this plant as all parts are poisonous.

Helleborus cyclophyllus Leaf (29/03/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Helleborus cyclophyllus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Helleborus cyclophyllus prefers moist, deep, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers lime soils.

Helleborus cyclophyllus requires little maintenance.

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Categories deciduous, garden, Greek Hellebore, Helleborus cyclophyllus, Herbaceous, Perennial, Plant of the Week, plants, Spring interest

Corylopsis glabrescens

22 Apr

Corylopsis glabrescens (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acid

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Corylopsis glabrescens is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are broadly ovate with serrate margins, grayish on their undersides, up to 10cm long and 7cm across. Its leaves may turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its fragrant yellow flowers are cruciform in shape, borne in pendant racemes which are up to 4cm long and appear before its leaves. The fruit is a small, dry, 2 valved capsule.

Corylopsis glabrescens Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Corylopsis glabrescens, commonly known as Fragrant Winter Hazel, is native to Japan and Korea.

The etymological root of the binomial name Corylopsis is derived from the Greek korylos meaning Hazel and oyis meaning ‘appearance’, in reference to the leaves’ similarity to those of the Hazel. Glabrescens is derived from the Latin glabra meaning ‘hairless’ and the epithet -escens meaning ‘-ish’.

Corylopsis glabrescens Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Corylopsis glabrescens useful as an attractive early spring flowering shrub. It is suitable for an informal hedging plant. It prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Corylopsis glabrescens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Corylopsis glabrescens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil.

Corylopsis glabrescens requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture

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Categories Corylopsis glabrescens, deciduous, Fragrant Winter Hazel, garden, Plant of the Week, plants, Shrub, Spring interest

Helleborus atrorubens

21 Apr

Helleborus atrorubens (29/03/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 45cm

Eventual Spread: 45cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Ranunculaceae

Helleborus atrorubens is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a variable habit. Its dark green leaves are circular, deeply palmately divided with five leaflets. Its leaflets are elliptic with serrulate margins. Its green/ bronze/ red flowers are pendent, cup shaped, produced on upright stems and up to 5cm across.

Helleborus atrorubens Flower (29/03/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Helleborus atrorubens, commonly known as Red Hellebore, is native to the Balkans.

The etymological root of the binomial name Helleborus is from the classical name for Helleborus niger. Atrorubens is derived from the Latin ater meaning ‘dark coloured’ and rubra meaning ‘red’.

The landscape architect may find Helleborus atrorubens useful as an attractive early flowering herbaceous perennial suitable for planting in woodland settings and shady locations. Care should be taken when locating this plant as all parts are poisonous.