Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Eventual Height: 9m

Eventual Spread: Up to 5m

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

Family: Fabaceae

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ is a woody deciduous climber with a twining habit. Its mid green leaves are pinnate, composed of up to 13 leaflets and up to 30cm long. Its leaflets are ovate to elliptic with entire margins, up to 6cm long and 3cm across. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its tendrils will twine around a support structure in a counter clockwise direction. Its fragrant purple and white flowers are pea like, borne in long pendant racemes of up to 60cm and appear at the same time as its leaves. Its fruit are bean-like velvety green seed pods which are up to 10cm long.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The species, Wisteria floribunda, commonly known as Japanese Wisteria, is native to Japan.

The etymological root of the binomial name Wisteria is named for Kasper Wistar, a German anatomy and anthropologist professor at the University of Penn, hence the occasional spelling Wistaria, although this was not the original spelling of the name. Floribunda is derived from the Latin floridus meaning ‘flowery’ and the epithet bundus meaning ‘having the capacity for’.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ useful as a fast growing fragrant climber with attractive flowers. This climber requires a support structure for its tendrils to twine around. It should be noted that grafted specimens will flower immediately, not grafted may take several years to flower.

Ecologically, Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. All parts of this plant are mildly toxic to humans.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ Stem (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ requires biannual pruning to promote good form and free flowering. Please see the RHS website for detailed description of pruning methods for Wisteria, including step-by-step instructions on how to train the plant into a self-supporting tree standard.



Landscape Architecture

Akebia quinata

Akebia quinata (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 4m

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

Family: Lardizabalaceae

Akebia quinata is a fast growing woody semi evergreen climber with a twining habit. Its bright green leaves are composed of five leaflets. Each leaflet is obovate with entire margins, up to 5cm long and 2.5cm across. Its red/ purple monoecious fragrant flowers appear as racemes and are not self fertile. Its purple fruits are ovoid, up to 8cm long, 4cm broad, appear in autumn and split open to reveal fleshy pulp.

Akebia quinata Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Akebia quinata, commonly known as Chocolate Vine or Five Leaf Akebia, is native to China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows at forest margins, near streams and in scrub. This plant is prohibited from sale and commercial propagation in New Zealand.

The etymological root of the binomial name Akebia is derived from the Japanese Akebi, the name for this plant. Quinata is derived from the Latin quinque meaning ‘five’.

he landscape architect may find Akebia quinata useful as a wall or trellis trained climber, it requires climbing supports.

Ecologically, Akebia quinata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Akebia quinata Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Akebia quinata ‘White Chocolate’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Akebia quinata prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Akebia quinata requires little maintenance. Pruning, if necessary, should be carried out after flowering.



Landscape Architecture

Mandevilla laxa

Mandevilla laxa (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 4m

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

Family: Apocynaceae

Mandevilla laxa is a semi-evergreen (deciduous in the cooler part of its range) climber with woody structure and a spreading habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are ovate with entire margins, to to 15cm long and 4cm wide. Its fragrant white flowers are trumpet shaped, up to 7cm across, 5cm long and appear on current year’s growth. Its fruit are bean like pods which are initially green, mature brown and split to disperse its seeds.

Mandevilla laxa Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Mandevilla laxa, commonly known as Chilean Jasmine, is native to Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Mandevilla is named after Henry Mandeville (1773 – 1861), a British diplomat and gardener based in Argentina. Laxa is derived from the Latin laxo meaning ‘loose’.

The landscape architect may find Mandevilla laxa useful as an attractive evergreen climber with fragrant flowers. This plant requires a framework against which to climb.

Mandevilla laxa Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Mandevilla laxa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bee and butterflies.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Mandevilla laxa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Mandevilla laxa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Mandevilla laxa requires little maintenance. Pruning may be carried out in spring to encourage new growth.



Landscape Architecture