Winter Wonders

For those of you who were unable to attend the recent garden visit north of town here are examples of winter blooming (and fragrant) plants plus trees with interesting bark.

 viburnum x bodnantense New Dawn

"Viburnum x bodnantense is a hybrid viburnum (cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum) that is particularly noted for its extremely fragrant, tubular, pink flowers.  In warm winter areas (including the Pacific Northwest coast), flowers bloom  late Autumn to early spring. Flowers appear in flat cymes (1-2" wide). This is an upright, narrow, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically matures to 8-10’ tall (sometimes more) and to 4-6' wide. Toothed, narrow-ovate leaves (2-4" long) emerge in spring with bronze tints, but mature to deep green. Leaves are similar in appearance to those of the V. grandiflorum parent. Foliage turns attractive shades of burgundy-red in Fall. Flowers give way to red berries (drupes) which eventually mature to black by Fall." www.missouribotanicalgarden.org

Sarcococca hookeriana var. Humilis (Sweet Box)

 "A spreading, evergreen shrub with highly scented white flowers in winter, and slightly aromatic, lance-shaped, dark green leaves. This tough shade-tolerant shrub provides much-needed structure, scent and colour, and is ideal for a shady shrub or mixed border. The flowers are followed by long lasting, blue-black berries."www.crocus.co.uk/plants

Mahonia × media ‘Winter Sun’

"This statuesque, evergreen shrub is a dramatic focal point for the winter garden. Its large, frond-like leaves develop in whorls along its coarsely branched stems. Great sprays of fragrant, yellow flowers in dense, upstanding inflorescences appear in late fall or early winter. Flowers develop into grape-like clusters of wax-coated black berries by late summer and autumn. Beautiful foliage and upright growth habit make this hybrid mahonia a strong focal point in the garden."  www.greatplantpicks.org

Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)

"In winter, after the tree has lost its leaves, Persian ironwood’s beauty is exhibited in smooth bark that peels in scales and patches to reveal a mosaic of silver, green, and cream-colored new bark beneath. Small, petal-less flowers emerge in late winter and early spring, before the new leaves. These inconspicuous yet lovely flowers appear as bunches of blood red stamens born inside two woolly brown bracts, giving the naked branchlets a crimson haze, and inspiring their use in indoor arrangements. After flowering, new leaves emerge, coppery at first, eventually becoming dark green, satiny, and lopsided with wavy edges. As autumn approaches, the tree enters its most beautiful stage, displaying the exceptional fall color for which it is most coveted. The leaves turn from green to golden yellow, crimson, rose pink, maroon, and purple, all of which can be seen on a single tree, simultaneously." www.pacifichorticulture.org

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Himalayan Birch'

"Exhibits the brightest white bark of any birch for a truly distinctive and exciting show! An exceptional tree with a graceful, open-branched, pyramidal form, exquisite peeling bark, and terrific fall color. Toothy, tapered, dark green foliage transforms to a bright yellow in the fall. Showy catkins drape from the tree in spring." www.monrovia.com