Livistona chinensis

Livistona chinensis (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 (will tolerate lower temperatures with leaf damage)

Family: Arecaceae

Livistona chinensis is a single stemmed, evergreen upright palm tree. Its mid green leaves are palm shaped, deeply divided and up to 1.5m across.  Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 40cm. Its white flowers are borne on 1.8m long inflorescence, emerging from the leaf axils. Its blue/ black fleshy fruit are round and up to 25mm across.

Livistona chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Fan Palm or Fountain Palm, is native to eastern Asia, including Japan, Taiwan and islands in the south China sea. In its native habitat it grows in forests as an understory plant when young and as climax vegetation when mature. This palm may be invasive in certain locations including Florida wetlands and some Caribbean islands including Bermuda.

Livistona chinensis Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Livistona is named after Patrick Murray (1643 – 1671), Lord of Livingston, a botanist whose plant collection formed the basis of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. Chinensis is derived from the Latin chinensis meaning ‘ from China’.

The landscape architect may find Livistona chinensis useful as an attractive palm tree. It may successfully be planted as a street tree. Once established this tree is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Livistona chinensis is of little value to UK wildlife.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Livistona chinensis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Livistona chinensis Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Livistona chinensis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Livistona chinensis requires little maintenance.

Betula papyrifera

Betula papyrifera (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 12m

Hardiness: 12a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a,  8b

Family: Betulaceae

Betula papyrifera (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Betula papyrifera is a fast growing deciduous tree with an open, upright habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, up to 8cm long and 6cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow before they fall in autumn. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 80cm. Its white bark is smooth and flakes in horizontal strips to reveal pale orange under bark. Its monoecious flowers are in the form of 3cm long catkins, are wind pollinated and appear at about the same time as its leaves. Its fruit is a cylindrical aggregate, up to 5cm long and it disintegrates upon maturity.

Betula papyrifera, commonly known as the Paper Birch, White Birch, American Birch or the Canoe Birch, is native to northern North America. This tree is a pioneer species.

Betula papyrifera Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Betula is the old Latin name for the Birch tree. Papyrifera is derived from the Latin papyrifer meaning ‘papyrus bearing’ or ‘paper bearing’, in reference to its peeling bark.

The landscape architect may find Betula papyrifera useful as a specimen tree with attractive winter bark. It can be included in a woodland mix as a nursery crop to provided shelter for the slower growing species which will eventually shade out this species.

Betula papyrifera Autumn Leaf (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Betula papyrifera provides a valuable source of pollen for insects.

Betula papyrifera prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Betula papyrifera requires little maintenance.

Betula papyrifera Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Betula pubescens

Betula pubescens (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Betulaceae

Betula pubescens (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Betula pubescens is a fast growing deciduous tree with an upright slender habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with serrulate margins, up to 5cm long and 4.5cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow before they fall in autumn. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 70cm. Its smooth bark is dull white/ grey with horizontal lenticels. Its monoecious flowers are in the form of catkins, are wind pollinated and appear before its leaves. Its fruit is a cylindrical aggregate, up to 4cm long and it disintegrates upon maturity.

Betula pubescens, commonly known as Downy Birch, White Birch, Hairy Birch or Moor Birch, is native to north Europe (including the UK), north Asia and Greenland. This tree is the most northerly growing broad leaf tree of any tree species. This tree is a pioneer species.

Betula pubescens Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Betula is the old Latin name for the Birch tree. Pubescens is derived from the Latin pubes meaning ‘hair’ and the epithet -escens meaning ‘-ish’, in reference to its downy shoots.

The landscape architect may find Betula pubescens useful as part of a native woodland planting scheme. It can be included in a woodland mix as a nursery crop to provided shelter for the slower growing species which will eventually shade out this species.

Betula pubescens Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Betula pubescens provides a valuable source of pollen for insects.

Betula pubescens prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including very acidic. It will tolerate poor and wet soils.

Betula pubescens Seed (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Betula pubescens requires little maintenance.