Corylopsis pauciflora

Corylopsis pauciflora (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acid

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

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

Family:  Hamamelidaceae

Corylopsis pauciflora is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, greyish on their undersides, up to 7.5cm long and 5cm across. Its leaves are tinged with red as they emerge. Its fragrant pale yellow flowers are bell shaped, borne on short pendant racemes and appear before its leaves. The fruit is a small, dry, 2 valved capsule.

Corylopsis pauciflora, commonly known as Buttercup Witch Hazel, is native to Japan and Taiwan.

The etymological root of the binomial name Corylopsis is derived from the Greek korylos meaning Hazel and oyis meaning ‘appearance’, in reference to the leaves’ similarity to those of the Hazel. Pauciflora is derived from the Latin paucum meaning ‘a few’ and flora meaning ‘flower’.

The landscape architect may find Corylopsis pauciflora useful as an attractive spring flowering shrub for a lightly shaded location. It prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Corylopsis pauciflora flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Corylopsis pauciflora Flower (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Corylopsis pauciflora their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Corylopsis pauciflora prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Corylopsis pauciflora requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out in spring, after flowering.

Osmanthus x fortunei

Osmanthus x fortunei (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 4m

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

Family: Oleaceae

Osmanthus x fortunei is an evergreen shrub with a rounded habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with Holly like large spines, are up to 8cm long and 5cm broad. It fragrant white flowers are small, tubular and usually obscured by its foliage. Its blue/black fruit are ovoid and up to 12mm across.

Osmanthus x fortunei Leaf (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Osmanthus x fortunei, commonly known as Fortunes Osmanthus or Fortunes Tea Olive, is a hybrid between Fortunei heterophyllus and Fortunei fragrans.

The etymological root of the binomial name Osmanthus is derived from the Greek osme ‘perfume’ and anthus ‘flower’. Fortunei is named after Robert Fortune (1812 – 1880) the plant explorer.

The landscape architect may find Osmanthus x fortunei useful to as specimens shrub with attractive leaves and fragrant flowers. It may also be successfully trained as an evergreen hedge which will form an effective barrier. It prefers a sheltered position.

Ecologically, Osmanthus x fortunei flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Osmanthus x fortunei Hedge (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Osmanthus x fortunei  prefers moist, fertile well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.

Osmanthus x fortunei requires little maintenance. Dead branches may be removed in spring or summer. Hedging plants should be clipped as necessary , usually twice a year, during the growing period.

Hamamelis mollis

Hamamelis mollis Flower (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

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

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis mollis is a deciduous shrub with a spreading, bushy habit. Its dark green leaves are oval with serrate margins, up to 15cm long and 10cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its fragrant yellow flowers appear in clusters, have orange centre and appear before its leaves. Its petals are ribbon like and up to 15mm long. The fruit is a two part capsule which is up to 12mm long.

Hamamelis mollis, commonly known as Chinese Witch Hazel, is native to central and eastern China. In its native habitat it grows in thickets and forests. 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 the species in not on this list.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hamamelis is derived from the Greek amamelis ‘a tree with pear like fruits’. Mollis is from the Latin meaning ‘soft’.

Hamamelis mollis (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Hamamelis mollis useful in dappled shade locations as a small tree with fragrant late winter flowers and attractive autumn leaf colour.

Ecologically, Hamamelis mollis attracts members of the Lepidoptera family which includes butterflies and moths.

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

Hamamelis mollis requires little maintenance.