Sparrmannia africana

Sparrmannia africana (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Spring to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 6m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 11, 12, 13

Family: Malvaceae

Sparrmannia africana is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a bushy habit. Its light leaves are ovate with shallow lobes, up to 27cm long and 21cm across. Its white flowers have prominent white and yellow stamens are up to 35mm across. Interestingly, its stamens are sensitive to touch and puff out when touched. Its fruit is a rounded capsule covered with spiny bristles.

Sparrmannia africana Flower (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Sparrmannia africana, commonly known as African Hemp, African Linden and House Lime, is native to south Africa. In its native habitat it grows in open woodlands and woodland margins.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sparrmannia is named after Anders Sparrman (1748–1820), a Swedish botanist. Africana is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Africa’.

In the UK the landscape architect may find Sparrmannia africana useful as a large leaved shrub with attractive flowers for use as a annual in summer bedding scheme. It may also be used as a house plant when adequate light levels are provided.

Sparrmannia africana Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Sparrmannia africana flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Sparrmannia africana their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Sparrmannia africana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Sparrmannia africana requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Tilia oliveri

Tilia oliveri (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Mid summer to autumn

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Malvaceae

Tilia oliveri is a fast growing deciduous tree with an irregular to domed habit. Its mid to dark green leaves are cordate with serrulate margins, densely white-hairy underneath, are up to 10cm long and 7cm across. Its bark is dark gray and deeply fissured with age. Its hermaphroditic white/ yellow flowers are borne in cymes of up to twenty. Its fruit are drupes which are up to 1cm across.

Tilia oliveri Fruit (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Tilia oliveri, commonly known as Oliver’s Linden, is native to eastern Asia, including China. In its native habitat it grows in mixed woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tilia is the ancient Latin name for the Lime Tree. Oliveri is named after Daniel Oliver (1830 – 1916), an English botanist.

Tilia oliveri Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Tilia oliveri useful as an park specimen tree. This tree’s roots are tolerant of disturbance.

Ecologically, Tilia oliveri flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, however its flowers may be toxic to certain species of bees.

Tilia oliveri Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Tilia oliveri prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers an alkaline pH.

Tilia oliveri requires little maintenance. Removal of dead or damaged material can be carried out from mid-summer to mid-winter to minimise wound bleed. This tree can withstand hard pruning.

Landscape Architecture

Firmiana simplex

Firmiana simplex (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Malvaceae

Firmiana simplex Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Firmiana simplex is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its mid green leaves are palmately 5 lobed, up to 30cm long and 30cm across. Its greenish bark is smooth. Its fragrant yellow/ white flowers appear terminally are borne in panicles. Its fruit are pea sized leathery capsules and attached to a leafy carpel.

Firmiana simplex Flower (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Firmiana simplex, commonly known as Chinese Parasol Tree or Wutong, is native to east China, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam. This tree is considered an invasive species in parts of North America. Firmiana simplex is synonymous with Hibiscus simplex.

Firmiana simplex Flower Detail (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Firmiana is named after Karl Joseph von Firmian (1716-1782), an Austrian statesman. Simplex is from the Latin meaning ‘simple’.

The landscape architect may find Firmiana simplex useful as a small tree with large dramatic leaves and fragrant flowers. It should be noted that this tree may readily self seed given the right conditions.

Firmiana simplex Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Firmiana simplex flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees.

Firmiana simplex prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Firmiana simplex requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture