Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’

Position: Partial shade to full shade

Flowering period: Late winter to Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

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

Family: Boraginaceae

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’, commonly known as Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage or Jerusalem Sage, is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. The species, Pulmonaria saccharata, is native to France and Italy. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands and woodland edges. Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ has dark green leaves with silver blotches and their upper surface is hairy. Its pale purple to deep pink flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. Its roots are rhizomes which aid its spread. Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ may be used as an effective ground cover perennial suitable for woodland or understory planting. It requires little maintenance and large clumps may be lifted and divided in autumn.

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ (08/08/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Leopard’ Leaf (08/08/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Summer (insignificant)

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 3m

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

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’, commonly known as Holly ‘Aurifodina’, is a slow growing evergreen shrub with a conical habit. The species, Ilex aquifolium, is native to western and southern Europe (including the UK), northwest Africa and southwest Asia. In its native habitat, the species, is found as an understory tree or shrub in Oak and Beech woodlands. The leaves of Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’ are mid green, edged with golden margins and are prickly. Its flowers are insignificant and attractive to pollinating insects, including bees. These are followed by berries which turn red during late autumn to early winter. This shrub provides good sheltering habitat for birds. Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’ may be used as an evergreen specimen shrub or as a hedging species. Necessary pruning should be carried out in late spring to early summer.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’ Leaf (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurifodina’ Leaf (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Pterocarya x rehderiana

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 20m

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

Family: Juglandaceae

Pterocarya x rehderiana, commonly known as Rehder Wingnut, is a vigorous deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading habit. Pterocarya x rehderiana is hybrid between Pterocarya fraxinifolia and Pterocarya stenoptera. Its mid green leaves are compound. Its flowers are light green and appear as pendulous catkins that are up to 40cm long. These are followed by green winged nutlets. These nutlets mature to brown in late summer and remain on the tree during the winter months. Pterocarya x rehderiana may be used as a specimen tree for sunny locations, where space allows.

Pterocarya x rehderiana (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Pterocarya x rehderiana Flower (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Pterocarya x rehderiana Leaf (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Pterocarya x rehderiana Bark (28/07/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture