Arbutus unedo flower (11/02/2012, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late autumn to winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 7b – 10a

Family: Ericaceae

Arbutus unedo is an bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree. Its dark green glossy leaves are up to 10cm long, 3cm broad with a serrated margin and leathery texture. Its branches grow near the base of the trunk, often leaning and twisting giving off a low sprawling appearance. The bark is an attractive reddish brown, which peels of in strips quite regularly to reveal brighter bark beneath. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 80cm. The hermaphrodite bell shaped flowers of the plant are white in colour and are produced in panicles of 10-30. The fruit is a red berry, up to 2cm in diameter, with a rough surface and is edible. The fruit takes 12 months to ripen.

Arbutus unedo (11/02/2012, London)

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the Strawberry Tree, Apple of Cain, Cane Apple, Irish Strawberry Tree, or the Killarney strawberry Tree, is native to the Mediterranean regions and western Europe, including Ireland.

The etymological root of the binomial name Arbutus is unclear. It may be derived from the Latin name for the Strawberry Tree or derived the Celtic word arboise, the name given for a rough fruit. Unedo is derived from the Latin unus ’one’ and edo ’to eat’ in reference to Pliny’s opinion of the fruit of this tree.

Arbutus unedo trunk (11/02/2012, London)

The landscape architect may find Arbutus unedo useful as a small evergreen tree. The fruits are edible and attractive to wildlife. Once established it is tolerant of summer drought.

Ecologically, A. unedo fruits of the plant may serve as food for birds, with the flowers of the plant pollinated by bees.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given A. unedo their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

A. unedo prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including limy soils.

A. unedo requires little maintenance.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Vesna' Flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 5a – 8b

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Vesna’ is a medium sized, deciduous spreading small tree or large shrub. The light green alternate leaves emerge from short-stalked buds. The leaves are elliptic to nearly circular in shape, irregularly toothed along their edges and become a coppery orange in autumn. Some of the autumn leaves are retained on this tree through the winter months. Its fragrant flowers appear in clusters are orange/ yellow in colour with and orange centre. Its petals are long, thin and crinkled. The fruit is a two part capsule, 1 cm long, each containing a single 5 mm glossy black seed. It is usually grafted onto the rootstock of one of the other species of Hamamelis.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Vesna’ is commonly known as the Hybrid Witch Hazel Vesna. The species is a hybrid between Hamamelis mollis and Hamamelis japonica. This plant was introduced into the UK around 1932. Subjective research has been carried out on the relative fragrance and leaf retention of various Hamamelis species and varieties by the curators of  Scott Arboretum, unfortunately Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Vesna’ is not included on this list.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hamamelis is derived from the Greek amamelis ‘a tree with pear like fruits’. Intermedia is derived from the Latin inter between and medius middle in reference to this hybrid being between its two parents in terms of characteristics. Vesna is derived from the Slavic name for mythological female character associated with early spring.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Vesna' (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find  Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Vesna’ useful in dappled shade locations as a small tree with fragrant winter flowers and fantastic autumn leaf colour.

Ecologically,  H. x intermedia ‘Vesna’ attracts members of the Lepidoptera family which includes butterflies and moths.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given  H. x intermedia ‘Vesna’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2005.

H. x intermedia ‘Vesna’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.

H. x intermedia ‘Vesna’ requires little maintenance.

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum' (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 45cm

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 5a – 9a

Family: Berberidaceae

Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ is an evergreen/ semi-evergreen, spreading herbaceous perennial. Its lime green leaves are stiff and are heart shaped, these are flushed with red when they emerge in spring. The wiry stems are coloured red. The sulphur yellow flowers of the plant are cruciform, small and produced on leafless spikes in the springtime. This plant spreads by underground rhizomes.

Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ is commonly known as Persian Barrenwort, Bishops Mitre and Yellow Fairy Wings. The species is a hybrid between Epimedium grandiflorum and Epimedium pinnatum colchicum.

The etymological root of the binomial name Epimedium is derived from the Greek name for this plant, used by Dioscorides and Pliny. Versicolour is derived from the Latin verto ’change’ and color ‘colour’ in reference to the leaves. Sulphureum is in reference to the sulphur yellow flowers.

The landscape architect may find Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ useful as an effective ground cover plant, particularly in shady, dry locations. It is effective when planted en masse around the base of existing mature trees. It may be used to stabilize soil on banks. This plant is not attractive to deers and rabbits. It is drought tolerant once established.

Ecologically, E. x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ is of little value in the UK.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given E. x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

E. x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

E. x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ requires little maintenance. Large clumps of this plant may be divided in late summer.

Chimonanthus praecox 'Grandiflorus' flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a – 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ is a deciduous and bushy medium sized shrub. Its dark green leaves are shiny, lanceolate in appearance and up to 15cm in length. The pendant hermaphrodite flowers of the plant are small, fragrant, waxy and yellow with a maroon centre. The branches of the plant are arching in form. The fruit of the plant is a brown, elliptic capsule and up to 4cm in length.

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’is commonly known as Large Flowered Wintersweet and is slightly less scented than the species. The species Chimonanthus praecox is native to China where it is found at altitudes of 500-1,100m. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England in 1766.

Chimonanthus praecox 'Grandiflorus' (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ‘flower’. Praecox is derived from the latin term ‘prae’ before and coxi ‘ripening; i.e. early ripening.

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, scented shrub.

Ecologically, C. praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ is pollinated by beetles.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given C. praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

C. praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate alkali soils. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

C. praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ requires little maintenance.

The scheme runs for the entire length of Exhibition Road, London. The southern end starts at a 50m walk from South Kensington tube station and continues north to Hyde Park/ Kensington Gardens. Along its length a significant number of London’s museums and institutions are located, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert, the Science Museum, the Imperial College and the Royal Geographic Society.

The scheme has created a single level surface from building face to building face along the entire length of this road. Within this single surface the needs of the pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, car, taxi, delivery vehicle, and bus have been considered and hopefully accommodated. The needs of the various types of more vulnerable pedestrian have been considered in more detail. These include children, mobility impaired pedestrians and visually impaired pedestrians.

Share space schemes rely on traffic speeds being lowered to a slower, safer speed (usually 20mph) and eye contact between pedestrians and drivers of vehicles. As the second of these two points is not possible for the visually impaired user group, careful attention needs to be given to the detailing of a shared space scheme to ensure this user group remains safe in this type of scheme.

Exhibition Road South

The shared space to the south of Exhibition Road deals with a smaller volume of traffic than that to the north of the Cromwell Road. Vehicular traffic within this zone is restricted to the east side of the road.

Exhibition Road South Cafes

This part of the site, to the south of Thurloe Street, is lined cafes and alfresco eating is accommodated.

Exhibition Road South Light Well/ Seat

The original light wells, which provide light to the underpass below, have been accommodated within this space. The have been mounted on plinths which provide informal seating.

Slow speeds and clear sight lines help pedestrian and vehicle share the same space.

Exhibition Road Between Cromwell Road & Thurloe Place

This section of the Exhibition Road, between the Cromwell Road and Thurloe Street, is located on a red route and as a consequence require red route road markings.

Exhibition Road Crossing

Exhibition Road Just North Cromwell Road

This section of Exhibition Road, just north of Exhibition Road, accommodates the majority of the museums. The single paved surface extends to the full width of this space, with corduroy paving demarking the locations of the former kerb line. The ‘carriageway’ is located on the east side of this space, with light columns running down the centre and parking on the west side of this space.

Exhibition Road Base to Light Column

Exhibition Road Bus Stop Detail

Bus stops are accommodated within this space, close to the museum entrances, and a kerbs with a small upstand are implemented in these locations.

Exhibition Road Museum Lane Junction

Shared Space Outside the Science and Victoria & Albert Museums.

Exhibition Road Paving Banding

The criss cross paving pattern reflects the movement of people from one side of the street to the other.

Exhibition Road Parking Bays

The studs which demark the parking bays are rarely adhered to, usually leaving larger gaps between vehicles. I see this as a positive thing as creates a more permeable route for pedestrians. I do understand the pressure from residents for parking along this street but this is in conflict to the creation of a safe shared space. Clear site lines between pedestrian and driver is essential. Having parked cars creates spaces next to the ‘carriageway’ where pedestrians (particularly children) can not be seen or see clearly. While in site I saw a child appear from between parked cars causing a taxi to skid. I do think vehicles need to adjust to driving at slower speeds, but I do also think the current arrangement of blocks of parked cars present a hazard to pedestrians.

Exhibition Road Corduroy Paving

As previously mentioned corduroy paving is located in the location of the previous kerb alignment. This paving has been installed to indicate the edge of the ‘carriageway’, particularly for partially sighted or blind pedestrians. Also, as previously mentioned the ‘carriageway’ in this part of Exhibition road is located on the east side of the road. I do not understand why the corduroy paving is located here (as indicated in the above image) in what is essentially the pedestrian zone.

Exhibition Road Central Zone

It makes more sense to me to have thhe corduroy paving in this location (the above image), at the edge of the ‘carriageway’.

Exhibition Road Outside Imperial College

At the weekend the area outside of the Imperial College was free of parking. This space, with no parked cars, provides a much safer environment for the pedestrian.

Exhibition Road Light Column

The lighting columns that run from Cromwell Road to Hyde park are bespoke and form a lit spine for this space at night.

Exhibition Road Roundabout

The roundabout towards the north end of Exhibition Road is located at the boundary between Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea boroughs. To the north, Westminster, to the south, Kensington & Chelsea. Westminster Local Authority insisted that the full width of the previous carriageway be retained as ‘carriageway’. Therefore the layout to the north of this roundabout changes from that of the south.

Exhibition Road Princes Gardens

Pedestrian crossing points across side roads is dealt with by the use of stainless steel studs in the paving.

Exhibition Road North

In the north section of Exhibition Road (Westminster) vehicular traffic flows in opposite directions on both sides of the central zone.

Exhibition Road Tree Surround Detail

This is a new kind of space for residents of the United Kingdom and it will take time for people to get used to using them in a safe manor. Cars need to move at safer speeds and pedestrians need to be more aware of their surrounding environment. Children are particularly vulnerable, as are they on all busy roads. I think it is critical, if shared spaces and all their benefits, are to succeed in this country, drivers of vehicles need to give way to pedestrians in these zones. This will require a mental shift in the mind of the driver. I believe there should be a campaign to educate people (particularly drivers) on how to use these spaces. I also believe ‘driving’ in shared spaces should be incorporated into the Highway Code.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun, will tolerate partial shade

Flowering period: Winter to early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 6a – 9b

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ is a fast growing, upright, bushy deciduous shrub . Its leaves are dark green, oval in shape with simple, palmate lobes. The branches of this shrub are upright when young, as the plant matures the branches arch. The scented flowers of the plant are produced in small clusters, initially pink buds, opening to fragrant white flowers, they are virtually sterile producing only a few small black or purple fruits which are small and spherical in shape. 

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ is commonly known as Bodnant Viburnum, Winter Flowering Viburnum or Arrowhead Charles Lamont. The species Viburnum x bodnantense was produced in 1934 by crossing V. grandiflorum with the fragrant species V. farreri in Bodnant Gardens.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is from the Latin name for Viburnum lantana, or the Wayfaring Tree. Bodnantense is named after Bodnant Gardens, where this plant was created. Charles Lamont is named after the assistant curator at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh in 1933 who was responsible for the first successful attempt at creating this interspecific cross.

The landscape architect may find Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ useful as a fragrant winter flowering shrub.

Ecologically, V. x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ are sometimes eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. Its flowers are a valuable source of nectar for insects during the winter months.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given V. x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

V. x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

V. x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ requires little maintenance. To encourage healthy growth, older shoots can be removed to ground level after flowering to give space to the younger more vigorous shoots.

Quercus x hispanica 'Lucombeana' Trunk (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 35m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 7a-10b

Family: Fagaceae

Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ is a large, spreading, semi-evergreen tree. Its dark green leaves are up to 12cm long, ovate to oblong in shape, deeply lobed, with a hairy underside. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of 2m. Its bark is corky in appearance and grey brown in color. Its flowers are both male and female. The fruit of the tree is an oblong, ovoid acorn that is about 4cm long and produced in autumn. The plants produced from these acorns vary considerably.

Quercus x hispanica 'Lucombeana' (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ is commonly known as the Lucombe Oak. It was originally created in a nursery in Exeter by Mr Lucombe in 1762. It is a cross between Quercus cerris and Quercus suber. The Kew specimen was planted sometime around 1773.

The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is derived from the Latin name for an Oak tree, but some authorities believe it to be derived from the Celtic quer meaning ‘fine’ and cuez meaning ‘a tree’. Hispanica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Spain’ in reference to one of its parents Quercus sube . The name Lucombe is from the name of Mr. Lucombe, the botanist who raised it.

Quercus x hispanica 'Lucombeana' Buds (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ useful as an attractive, large, semi-evergreen parkland tree.

Ecologically, Q. x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ may provide shelter for birds and other wildlife.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’  their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

 Q. x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including chalky.

Q. x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ requires little maintenance.

Yucca angustifolia (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Mid Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 4a – 10b

Family: Asparagaceae

Sub Family: Agavoideae

Yucca angustifolia is a perennial evergreen shrub. The thin grey/green strap like leaves are pointed with white margins and achieve a length of up to 1m. This leaves are arranged in a half sphere and with time forms a single stem/ trunk. The flower stalks of this Yucca are up to 1m in height. The large fragrant white flowers are produced in clusters. The fruit appears in the form of a capsule.

Yucca angustifolia, commonly known as Plains Yucca, Soapweed Yucca, Narrowleaf Yucca and Beargrass, is native to central North America, including Canada and the United States and is one of the most widespread Yucca‘s. Yucca angustifolia is synonymous with Yucca glauca

The etymological root of the binomial name for Yucca is derived from the Carib (indigenous people of the Caribbean) name for cassava (misapplied to this plant). Angustifolia is derived from the Latin angustus ‘narrow’ and folium ‘leaf’.

The landscape architect may findYucca baccata useful as a dramatic specimen accent shrub. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Y. angustifolia does not benefit wildlife in the UK to a great extent.

Y. angustifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Y. angustifolia requires little maintenance.

Yucca baccata Detail (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 4a – 9a

Family: Asparagaceae

Sub Family: Agavoideae

Yucca baccata is an evergreen shrub and is in the form of a stemless rosette. Its blue/ green leaves are stout, strap-like, sharply pointed and up to 1m long. It has white fibers along the leaf margin which tend to curl. The flower stalks of this Yucca are up to 1.5m in height. The bell shaped flowers grow in thick clusters, are creamy white in colour and up to 13cm long. Each flower has three stigmas. These are followed by sweet cylindrical fleshy fruit which are up to 18cm long and 6cm across.

Yucca baccata, commonly known as Banana yucca and Datil Yucca, is native to the deserts of the south west United States and north west Mexico It gets its one of its common names from its banana shaped fruit. The Native Americans used to dry the fruit of this plant for use during the winter.

The etymological root of the binomial name for Yucca is derived from the Carib (indigenous people of the Caribbean) name for cassava (misapplied to this plant). Baccata is derived from the Latin bacca ‘small berry’ or ’round fruit’.

Yucca baccata (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Yucca baccata useful as a dramatic specimen accent shrub. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Yucca baccata seeds are the sole source of food for the Yucca moth larvae and the Yucca moths are the only pollinators of the yucca.

Yucca baccata prefers well-drained sandy soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Yucca baccata requires little maintenance.

Umbellularia californica Flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 12m

Hardiness: 7b – 10b

Family:  Lauraceae

Umbellularia californica is a large dome shaped, evergreen tree. Its shiny leaves are oblong to lanceolate, smooth, have a short petiole and up to 10cm long. They are fragrant when crushed. The bark of the tree is smooth and is gray/ brown in colour, maturing to a red/ brown. The trunk of this tree may achieve a diameter of up to 80cm. The inconspicuous flowers of the plant are monoecious, perfect, yellow in colour and produced in small umbels. The fruit of the tree (commonly know as the ‘California Bay Nut’) is a drupe, generally solitary, up to 2.5cm long, round to ovoid in shape, initially green with yellow spots maturing to purple. It resemble an olive.

Umbellularia californica, commonly known as Oregon Myrtle, California Bay Laurel, Spicebush, Peppernut Tree, Headache Tree and Pepperwood, is native to the western coast of the USA. In its natural habitat it is found at altitudes from sea level up to 1600m. A specimen was planted in Kew Gardens in 1988 by HRH Princess Alexandra following the ‘Great Storm’ of 16th October 1987 (the specimen photographed here). It is the sole species in the Genus Umbellularia. As could be assumed from the common names for this tree it had a wide range of uses by the Native Americans. This plant can be used in cooking in a similar way to the Bay Tree. This tree is a folia host for sudden Oak Death.

Umbellularia californica (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Umbellularia is derived from the Latin meaning a little shade, in reference to the flowers. Californica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from California’.

The landscape architect may find Umbellularia californica useful as an attractive evergreen ornamental tree. It may also be used as a hedging species. It may also be grown as a culinary species.

Ecologically, U. californica is attractive to birds for its fruit. It is also used by wildlife as cover for wildlife.

U. californica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

U. californica requires little maintenance.