Hamamelis x intermedia

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

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering Period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 3m

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

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis x intermedia is a 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. The branches of this tree form a ‘V’ shape. The fragrant flowers are borne in clusters of two to four. The individual yellow petals are strap like, slightly wavy and 25mm long, with the centres of the flowers being red. The fruits are small, hairy, brown, oval capsules. It is grafted onto the rootstock of one of the other species of Hamamelis.

Hamamelis x intermedia is commonly known as the Hybrid Witchhazel. It is a hybrid between Hamamelis mollis and Hamamelis japonica. The leaves and bark of the shrub contain an astringent which reduces inflammation of blood vessels. The plant extract also called Witch hazel is thus used in many lotions for treating bruises and insect bites. 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, interesting reading.

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.

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

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

Ecologically, Hamamelis x intermedia attracts members of the Lepidoptera which includes butterflies and moths.

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

Hamamelis x intermedia requires little maintenance.

Acacia pravissima

Acacia pravissima detail (20/01/2012, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 6m

Eventual Spread: 4m

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

Family: Fabaceae

Acacia pravissima is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Its grey/ green leaves are in fact phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks), triangular in shape with entire margins and up to 2cm long and grow along the length of the stems. The branches are pendant. The flower buds begin to form in mid winter. The yellow, spring flowers of the plant are profuse, lightly fragrant, spherical in shape with fluffy flower-heads that are 5mm across. The fruit is a black legume.

Acacia pravissima, commonly known as Ovens Wattle or Wedge leaved Wattle, is native to south eastern Australia. It was described in 1882 by Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller.

The etymological root of the binomial name Acacia is derived from the Greek akis ’pointed object’ in reference to the thorny nature of a number of plants within this genus. Pravissima is derived from the Latin pravus ‘crooked’ or ‘misshapen’ pravissima  being the superlative, and referees to the shape of the phyllodes. 

Acacia pravissima (20/01/2012, London)

The landscape architect may find Acacia pravissima useful as a low growing (if pruned each year) flowering barrier plant, due to its spiny nature. This plant is drought tolerant once established. It will tolerate maritime conditions.

Ecologically, Acacia pravissima does not have any significant value in the UK.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Acacia pravissima their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Acacia pravissima prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.

Acacia pravissima requires little maintenance. If maintained as a barrier it should be pruned hard each year in autumn.

Washingtonia robusta

Washingtonia robusta leaf (14/01/2012, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 12m

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

Family: Arecaceae

Washingtonia robusta is a evergreen, columnar, bushy palm tree. The fan shaped leaf fronds are rounded, palmatley dividing into linear segments, are up to 1.5m across, with gray green margins. The leaf stems (or petiole in this instance) grow mostly upright and and have vicious teeth along its length and are up to 1m long. As the frond die they turn light brown and droop down, cloaking the trunk. The trunk on a young tree is red/ bronze in colour. On a mature tree it is gray in colour, ringed with closely set leaf scars and will achieve a diameter of up to 30cm. The flowers extend on stalks beyond foliage , are up to 3m long, the individual flowers are small and pink/ orange. The fruits of the tree are a drupe and are up to 8mm across and mature to a black colour. The roots give rise to some surface roots.

Washingtonia robusta (14/01/2012, London)

Washingtonia robusta, commonly known as the Mexican Fan Palm, Thread Palm or Mexican Washingtonia, is native to Mexico. The fruit, fibre of the leaves, the leaves and stems were used in various ways by Native Americans.

The etymological root of the binomial name Washingtonia is derived from the name of the US President, George Washington. Robusta is from the  Latin meaning ‘strong’.

The landscape architect may find Washingtonia robusta useful as a specimen tree with an  architectural form. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It is tolerant of maritime conditions. This palm can tolerate extreme heat.

Washingtonia robusta trunk (14/01/2012, London)

Ecologically, Washingtonia robusta  may provide nesting sites for birds in the dead leave attached to the tree. Mammals and birds may eat the fruit.

Washingtonia robusta prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Washingtonia robusta requires little maintenance. The dead hanging leaves may be removed to give a clean trunk to this tree.