Ilex pernyi

Ilex pernyi (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

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

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Ilex pernyi is a slow growing evergreen shrub with a conical habit. Its dark green, shiny, leathery leaves are ovate with spiny margins, up to 3cm long and 1.5cm broad  and variable in shape. Its silver/ grey bark is smooth. Its white/ yellow dioecious flowers are four lobed, cross shaped, up to 7mm across and are arranged in cymes. Its fruit is a red drupe, up to 8mm across and persists on the plant throughout the winter months. Male and female plants must be planted for the female plants to produce berries.

Ilex pernyi, commonly known as Perney’s Holly, is native to south China and north Burma. In its native habitat it grows in forest or shrubby areas in valleys.

The etymological root of the binomial name Ilex is derived from the old Latin name for the Holly. Pernyi is named after Paul-Hubert Perny (1818-1907) , a french missionary.

The landscape architect may find Ilex pernyi useful as an evergreen specimen shrub with attractive winter berries. It may also be planted as an impenetrable hedge.

Ecologically, Ilex pernyi flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The berries are attractive to some bird species. The canopy of this shrub forms an effective shelter for nesting birds.

Ilex pernyi prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.

Ilex pernyi Leaf (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ilex pernyi requires little maintenance. If maintaining as a hedge it should be cut in late autumn to early spring. If necessary it may also be cut in mid summer, but winter berries may be lost.

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Mid winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 5m

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

Family: Cupressaceae

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ is a slow growing, evergreen tree with a upright conical habit. Its mid green and yellow leaves are scale like, up to 15mm long and produced in flattened sprays. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. Its bark is orange/ brown, smooth when young, becoming fissured and peels off in strips as it matures. Its flowers are pollen cones and are up to 8mm long. Its fruit are in the form of cones, are initially pale green, maturing to yellow/ brown and are up to 35mm long.

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ Leaf (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Calocedrus decurrens, commonly known as the Incense Cedar or Californian Incense Cedar, is native to western North America.

The etymological root of the binomial name Calocedrus is derived from the Greek Kalos meaning ‘beautiful’ and Cedrus another genus of coniferous tree. Decurrens is derived from the Latin decurrere meaning ‘flowing down’, in reference to the leaf margins running into the stem. Aureovariegata is derived from the Latin aureus meaning ‘golden’ and variegata meaning ‘variegated’.

The landscape architect may find Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ useful as a conical ornamental tree with a variegated leaf pattern. Once established this tree is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ may be a host to a number of insects who inhabit the crevices of the mature bark.

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’ Bark (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the species Calocedrus decurrens their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Calocedrus decurrens  ‘Aureovariegata’  prefers moist, deep, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil although it prefers acidic.

Calocedrus decurrens ‘Aureovariegata’  requires little maintenance.

Ephedra gerardiana

Ephedra gerardiana (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 2m

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

Family: Ephedraceae

Ephedra gerardiana is an evergreen shrub with a thicket forming habit. Its mid green leaves are insignificant and up to 3mm long. Its stems are initially smooth, mid green and ascending with nodes. These stems become woody with age. Its yellow flowers are dioecious pollen cones, appear from the leaf axils, up to 5mm long and are not self fertile. Its red fruit are seed cones, up to 7mm across and appear in autumn.

Ephedra gerardiana, commonly known as Gerard’s Jointfir or Somlata, is native to the Himalayan Mountains. In its naive habitat it grows at an elevation of 3700m to 5300m on dry gravelly terraces. Ephedra gerardiana has a long history of medicinal use.

Ephedra gerardiana Leaf (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Ephedra is from the Greek name given to Mare’s Tail (Equisetum) by Pliny, which this plant slightly resembles. Gerardiana is named after John Gerard (1545–1612), an English botanist.

The landscape architect may find Ephedra gerardiana useful as an effective low growing ground cover. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Ephedra gerardiana is of little value to UK wildlife.

Ephedra gerardiana prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Ephedra gerardiana requires little maintenance.