Scabiosa caucasica

Scabiosa caucasica (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Scabiosa caucasica (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Scabiosa caucasica is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are elliptic with entire margins, up t0 8cm long and 4cm across. Its pale blue flowers are up to 8cm across and borne on erect stems.

Scabiosa caucasica Flower (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Scabiosa caucasica, commonly known as Caucasian Pincushion Flower, Pincushion Flower or Caucasian Scabious, is native to the Caucasus, north east Turkey and north Iran.

The etymological root of the binomial name Scabiosa is from the Latin meaning ‘scabby’ or ‘mangy’, in reference to this plants possible historic use as a cure for scabies. Caucasica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from the Caucasus’.

The landscape architect may find Scabiosa caucasica useful as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme.

Scabiosa caucasica Leaf (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Scabiosa caucasica flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the varieties Scabiosa caucasica ‘Clive Greaves’ and Scabiosa caucasica ‘Miss Willmott’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Scabiosa caucasica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. This plant dislikes wet soils.

Scabiosa caucasica requires little maintenance. The removal of spent flowers will encourage the production of more flowers.



Landscape Architecture

Lonicera morrowii

Lonicera morrowii (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to full shade

Flowering period: Spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2.5m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera morrowii is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its mid green leaves leaves are ovate with an entire margin, up to 6cm long and 3cm broad. Its white/ pale flowers are tubular, up to 12mm long, produced in pairs, and appeared in clusters. Its dark red fruit are spherical berries and up to 8mm across, these contain seeds which are spread by birds.

Lonicera morrowii Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lonicera morrowii, commonly known as Morrow’s Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle, is native to north east China, Japan and Korea. It its native habitat it grows at woodland edges. It is considered an invasive species and is controlled in a significant number of states in the USA. Lonicera morrowii is suspected to be allelopathic, inhibiting the growth of other plants within its vicinity.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lonicera is derived from the name of Adam Lonicer, a German naturalist from the 16th century. Morrowii named after Dr. James Morrow (1820 – 1865) an agriculturist.

The landscape architect may find Lonicera morrowii useful as a woodland understory plant (in location where it is not considdered an invasive species).

Lonicera morrowii Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Lonicera morrowii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to birds.

Lonicera morrowii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Lonicera morrowii requires little maintenance.

Lonicera maackii

 

Lonicera maackii (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to full shade

Flowering period: Spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 6m

Eventual Spread: 6m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera maackii is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its mid green leaves leaves are ovate to lanceolate with an entire margin, up to 9cm long and 4cm broad. Its cream to yellow fragrant flowers are tubular, up to 2cm long, produced in pairs, and appeared in clusters. Its bright red/ black fruit are spherical and up to 6mm across.

Lonicera maackii Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lonicera maackii, commonly known as Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle, is native to north and west China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and south Russia. It has naturalised in New Zealand and east USA as this plant is readily dispersed by bird who eat its seed. It is considered an invasive species and is controlled in a number of states in the USA.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lonicera is derived from the name of Adam Lonicer, a German naturalist from the 16th century. Maackii is derived from the name of Richard Maack (1825 – 1886), a Russian naturalist.

Lonicera maackii Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Lonicera maackii useful as a woodland understory plant. It also forms an effective hedge when clipped. Once established this shrub is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Lonicera maackii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its seeds are attractive to birds.

Lonicera maackii Bark (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Lonicera maackii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Lonicera maackii requires little maintenance. If maintaining as a hedge, pruning should be carried out after flowering.