Umbellularia californica

Umbellularia californica Flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 12m

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

Family:  Lauraceae

Umbellularia californica is a large dome shaped, evergreen tree. Its shiny leaves are oblong to lanceolate, smooth, have a short petiole and up to 10cm long. They are fragrant when crushed. The bark of the tree is smooth and is gray/ brown in colour, maturing to a red/ brown. The trunk of this tree may achieve a diameter of up to 80cm. The inconspicuous flowers of the plant are monoecious, perfect, yellow in colour and produced in small umbels. The fruit of the tree (commonly know as the ‘California Bay Nut’) is a drupe, generally solitary, up to 2.5cm long, round to ovoid in shape, initially green with yellow spots maturing to purple. It resemble an olive.

Umbellularia californica, commonly known as Oregon Myrtle, California Bay Laurel, Spicebush, Peppernut Tree, Headache Tree and Pepperwood, is native to the western coast of the USA. In its natural habitat it is found at altitudes from sea level up to 1600m. A specimen was planted in Kew Gardens in 1988 by HRH Princess Alexandra following the ‘Great Storm’ of 16th October 1987 (the specimen photographed here). It is the sole species in the Genus Umbellularia. As could be assumed from the common names for this tree it had a wide range of uses by the Native Americans. This plant can be used in cooking in a similar way to the Bay Tree. This tree is a folia host for sudden Oak Death.

Umbellularia californica (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Umbellularia is derived from the Latin meaning a little shade, in reference to the flowers. Californica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from California’.

The landscape architect may find Umbellularia californica useful as an attractive evergreen ornamental tree. It may also be used as a hedging species. It may also be grown as a culinary species.

Ecologically, Umbellularia californica is attractive to birds for its fruit. It is also used by wildlife as cover for wildlife.

Umbellularia californica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Umbellularia californica requires little maintenance.

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 5m

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

Family: Cornaceae

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ is a fast growing, medium sized deciduous shrub with attractive winter stems. Its dark green leaves are opposite, ovate, rounded at the base with a pointy tip and up to 10cm long. In autumn the leaves may turn bright yellow/ red/ purple, depending on weather conditions. The young stems of this plant are yellow in winter becoming bright green in summer, younger stems are brighter than older stems. The flowers are small, produced in clusters and dull white in colour. The fruit of the plant is a globose white berry which is up to 1cm in diameter. This shrub spreads via underground stolons.

The species Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’, commonly known as Red Willow, Redstem Dogwood, Redtwig Dogwood, Creek Dogwood, Western Dogwood and American Dogwood, is native throughout northern and western North America. Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ is commonly known as Budds Yellow Dogwood.

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ stem (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial Cornus is from the Latin cornum meaning ‘horn’ due to its dense properties. Sericea is derived from the Latin sericus ‘silky’.

The landscape architect may find Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ useful for its attractive coloured winter stems. This plant looks fantastic when planted en mass. It may be trained as a hedge. This plant will tolerate moist conditions.

Ecologically, Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ is of interest to bird who are attracted to it for its fruit.

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils, although it will tolerate wet soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Cornus sericea ‘Budds Yellow’ requires little maintenance. This plant may be stooled in spring on a regular basis to promote bright young stems. 

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ berries (16/01/2012, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

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

Family: Garryaceae

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is a slow growing, medium sized, evergreen, spreading shrub. Its opposite leaves are leathery, slightly serrated, smooth in texture, up to 10cm long and quite broad. They are dark green with numerous yellow spots. This variety is female. The dark purple flowers of the plant are borne in small clusters of 10-30 in a loose cyme. The red fruit of the plant is a berry, are up to 1cm in diameter, initially green and persist on the plant through out the winter months.

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ (16/01/2012, London)

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is commonly known as the Spotted Laurel. The species, Aucuba japonica, is native to the woods in lowlands and mountains of Japan and China. Aucuba japonica is a dioecious plant, the variety Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is female and produces berries (the male does not produce berries). The berry of the plant is poisonous.

The etymological root of the binomial name Aucuba is derived from the Latinised form of the Japanese word Aokiba, the Japanese name for this plant. Japonica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘of Japan’.

The landscape architect may find Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ useful as a medium sized evergreen shrub for shady locations. This shrub may form a formal or informal hedge. Once established this plant is drought resistant, is pollution tolerant and tolerant of maritime conditions.

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ Shoots & Flowers (05/05/2008, London)

Ecologically Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’  is of little value to wildlife as the birds avoid its toxic berries.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’  their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’  prefers moist, reasonably fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. Waterlogged soils should be avoided. It will tolerate dry soils, including ground near mature trees.

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture