Colletia paradoxa

Colletia paradoxa (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Rhamnaceae

Colletia paradoxa Leaf (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester)

Colletia paradoxa is a slow growing evergreen shrub with a rounded, bushy habit. Its blue/ green fleshy leaves (actually flattened stems) are triangular with entire margins and a sharp spine at its tip, up to 2.5cm long and 1.5cm across. Its white/ cream fragrant flowers are tubular and appear in small clusters in the ‘leaf’ axils.

Colletia paradoxa Flower (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester)

Colletia paradoxa, commonly known as Anchor Plant, Thorn of the Cross, Crown of the Cross or Crucifixion Thorn, is native to South America including south Brazil, west Argentina and Uruguay. Colletia paradoxa is synonymous with Colletia cruciata. In its native habitat this plant is under threat of extinction.

The etymological root of the binomial name Colletia is named after Philibert Collet (1643-1718), a French botanist. Paradoxa is derived from the Greek paradocos meaning ‘incredible’.

Colletia paradoxa Bark (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester)

The landscape architect may find Colletia paradoxa useful as part of xeriscaping planting scheme. Care should be taken when locating this plan due to its thorny nature. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Colletia paradoxa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Colletia paradoxa prefers moist, fertile, fast draining soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.

Colletia paradoxa requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out in late winter to early spring.



Landscape Architecture

Hovenia dulcis

Hovenia dulcis (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 7m

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

Family: Rhamnaceae

Hovenia dulcis is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are ovate with irregular serrate margins, up to 17cm long and 11cm across. Its light brown/ orange bark is vertically fissure. Its fragrant hermaphrodite yellow/ green flowers are up to 8mm across, appear in small terminal clusters. Its black fruit is a three seeded nut, up to 8mm across and is edible.

Hovenia dulcis Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Hovenia dulcis, commonly known as Japanes Raisin Tree or Oriental Raisin Tree, is native to east China, and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in moist sandy and loamy soils in secondary forests. This tree is considered an invasive species in parts of Brazil.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hovenia is named after David ten Hove (1724 – 1787), a Dutch alderman and financier of expeditions. Dulcis is from the Latin meaning ‘sweet’.

The landscape architect may find Hovenia dulcis useful as a small tree suitable for community gardens which produce edible fruit.

Hovenia dulcis Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Hovenia dulcis flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit is attractive to birds and mammals.

Hovenia dulcis prefers moist, sandy to loamy, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Hovenia dulcis requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Rhamnaceae

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ is a dense, large evergreen shrub with arching branches. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrated margins, have a shiny upper surface and have three very prominent parallel veins. Its branches give the shrub its bushy, arching habit. Its blue fragrant flowers tiny and produced in large dense clusters. These mature into a dry three lobed seed capsule.

The species Ceanothus azureus, commonly known as Californian Lilac, is native to temperate regions of Mexico. The variety Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’  was found in a Welsh garden in Nantyderry. Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ is synonymous with Ceanothus ‘Concha’.

The etymological root of the binomial name Ceanothus is derived from the Greek word Keanothos which was applied by Theophrastus, a Greek Philosopher to an unknown plant. Azureus is from the Latin ‘blue’ (of Lapis Lazuli).

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ useful as a robust evergreen fragrant flowering shrub. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ is attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers neutral to alkaline pH of soil, although it will tolerate most soils.

Ceanothus azureus ‘Concha’ requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Landscape Architecture