Fragrant | landscape architect's pages

Archive | Fragrant RSS feed for this section

Clematis cirrhosa

26 Mar

Clematis cirrhosa (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Sun to Partial Shade

Flowering Period: Winter to early spring

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

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

Family: Ranunculaceae

Clematis cirrhosa is a winter flowering evergreen climber. Its dark green glossy leaves are finely cut and tinged to bronze in winter. This plant climbs by wrapping its leaf stalk around any suitable purchase. Its fragrant flowers are cream coloured with red speckles, bell shaped and up to 5cm across. These are followed by attractive fluffy seed heads.

Clematis cirrhosa Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Clematis cirrhosa, commonly known as Winter Clematis or Evergreen Clematis, is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands and scrub.

The etymological root of the binomial name Clematis is derived from the Greek klema ’vine shoot’, alluding to the climbing habit of the species. Cirrhosa is derived from the Greek kirros meaning ‘orange/ tawny’ referring to the flower colour.

The landscape architect may find Clematis cirrhosa useful as an evergreen winter flowering climber. It is suitable for planting against a wall, pergola or trellis. This climber prefers a sheltered position with its roots planted in the shade.

Clematis cirrhosa Leaf (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ their it prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Clematis cirrhosa prefers most well drained fertile soils. It can tolerate most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Clematis cirrhosa requires little to no maintenance. If necessary this plant may be pruned after flowering to encourage new growth for the next seasons flowers.

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories Clematis cirrhosa, Climber, Evergreen, Evergreen Clematis, Fragrant, garden, Plant of the Week, plants, Spring interest, Winter Clematis, Winter interest

Smilax aspera

27 Feb

Smilax aspera (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Smilacaceae

Smilax aspera Wall Trained (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Smilax aspera is an evergreen flowering vine with a scrambling/ climbing habit. Its glossy dark green leathery leaves cordate with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 6cm broad. Tendrils appear from the base of its leaves enabling this plant to self cling. Its stems are flexible and have sharp thorns and each stem may achieve a length of up to 15m. Its dioecious yellow/ green fragrant flowers are small and appear as axillary racemes. Its fruit on the female plants are globose berries which are up to 1cm across, the are initially red and turn black with age.

Smilax aspera Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Smilax aspera, commonly known as Common Smilax, Rough Bindweed, Prickly Ivy or Salsaparilla, is native to the Mediterranean region, parts of Africa and tropical Asia. In its native habitat it grows in woodland and scrub. This plant is considered a weed in some locations of the world due to its thorny, smothering nature.

The etymological root of the binomial name Smilax is derived from the Greek meaning ‘poison’, as Dioscorides described it as an antidote to poison. Aspera is derived from the Latin meaning ‘sharp’ or ‘pointed’.

The landscape architect may find Smilax aspera useful as an evergreen barrier plant with fragrant flowers.

Smilax aspera Thorns (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Smilax aspera flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to many species of birds.

Smilax aspera prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Smilax aspera requires little maintenance.

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories Climber, Common Smilax, Evergreen, Fragrant, garden, Plant of the Week, plants, Prickly Ivy, Rough Bindweed, Salsaparilla, Smilax aspera, Summer interest, Winter interest

Heptacodium miconioides

22 Oct

Heptacodium miconioides (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 6m

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

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Heptacodium miconioides is a large deciduous shrub or small tree with an upright spreading habit. Its waxy dark green leaves are cordate with entire margins, deeply veined, up to 10cm long and 6cm broad. Its bark is cinnamon colour and peeling in vertical strips. Its white fragrant flowers have five petals, are up to 15mm across and appear as a flattened panicle. Its fruit is a purple/ red drupe and up to 12mm long.

Heptacodium miconioides Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Heptacodium miconioides, commonly known as the Seven Sons Plant, is native to central China. Heptacodium miconioides is synonymous with Heptacodium jasminoides and is the sole member of this genus. This shrub is considered to be ‘Vulnerable’ according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The etymological root of the binomial name Heptacodium is derived from the Greek epta meaning ‘seven’ and kwdwn meaning ‘bell’. Miconioides refers to this plants similarity to the Miconia genus.