Hort 28 McConnell

Arboretum and Gardens

Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage

• Native to w. and central Asia• ID: woody-based clump 4 ft x 4 ft with

many upright stems; lvs gray-green, opposite, aromatic, lower are deeply cut, upper merely toothed; flrs in sprays, make a purple haze

• Value: long-lasting haze of purple bloom (June to frost), heat and drought tolerant, sun tolerant

• Care: trim spent blossoms to extend bloom; little water; can be invasive in some areas

Solanum laxum, potato vinenightshade family--Solanaceae

Vine for fence, trellisAt edge of its hardiness in Redding—may be killed in cold winterPoisonous foliage (all nightshades) and fruits (some nightshades)

Solanum laxum, potato vinenightshade family--Solanaceae

Rosa chinensis ‘Mutabilis’China rose

rose family--Rosaceae

Rosa chinensis ‘Mutabilis’• 4-ft shrub, may climb if supported• Flowers single, change color, borne all

summer ‘til frost• Good low-care rose for mixed shrub

border

Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’Roses have alternate, pinnately compound leaves WiTH STIPULESNodal spines, internodal prickles

Single ‘wild-type’ roses have 5 petals, 5 sepals, numerous stamens surrounding a cluster of simple pistils; fruit is a rose hip

x Chitalpa tashkentensis ‘Pink Dawn’catalpa family--Bignoniaceae

x Chitalpa tashkentensis ‘Pink Dawn’

• Intergeneric hybrid between Chilopsis (desert willow) and Catalpa; combines drought tolerance with large flowers

• ID: Decidous tree 20-30 x 20-30ft; leaves long and narrow; flowers tubular, in clusters

• Value: drought tolerant, flowers, shade• Problems: messy• Care: Do not overwater

Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste treemint family--Lamiaceae

Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste tree• Native to Europe• Name means “chaste lamb”; vitex refers to

plaiting, as in fences• ID: arborescent shrub to 25 ft; shrubby perennial

where colder; clusters of purple flowers; lvs aromatic, gray-green, palmately compound

• Value: flowers all season, nice leaves, handle as a shrub or small tree, can be underplanted; takes moderate wate, resists oak root fungus

• Care: moderate water; prune as desired (blooms on new growth)

Spiraea douglasii, Douglas spiraea,rose family--Rosaceae

Native to PNW (N. Cal to BC)ID: deciduous shrub to 6 ft x 20 ft; tall narrow pink flower clusters; lvs narrow, to 3.5 in., green above and velvety white beneathValue: takes swampy conditions, wild plantings near streams; has pink flrs; Native Americans used for arrow shafts, digging sticksCare: Likes moisture, acid soil; can be invasive in moist situation

Spiraea douglasii, Douglas spiraea,rose family--Rosaceae

Amorpha californica, California false indigo

pea family--Fabaceae

• Shrubs, 6-8 ft• Purple flower stalks

with orange stamens• Tiny erect pea pods• Pinnately compound

leaves

California false indigo, Amorpha californica

• Food plant for California dogface butterfly (state butterfly)

Calycanthus occidentalis, western spicebush

Spicebush family--Calycanthaceae

George Hartwell

Calycanthus occidentalis, Western spicebush

• Deciduous shrub, can become large and rangy; prune to control size, but will sacrifice one year’s flowers

• Spicy odor; some smell fishy, purchase or propagate when in bloom to be sure

• Grows in foothills around Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake

Calycanthus occidentalis, Western spicebush

• Native to California and north, growing along streambanks or moist hillsides

• ID: deciduous shrub, 10 x 10 ft; ovate, entire, aromatic leaves; magnolia-like maroon flowers

• Value: good in shade, nice flowers, nice winter fruits, yellow fall color

• Care: moderate water; blooms on current season’s growth; remove crowded stems annually

• Warning: Seeds can cause convulsions

Woodwardia fimbriata, giant chain fern

Woodwardia fimbriata, giant chain fern

Native to California, along streamsID: deciduous fern to 5 ft (can be 9 ft!); leaves pinnately divided (how many times??); no flowers (ferns reproduce by sporesValue: gorgeous green fern, not invasiveCare: partial to full shade; needs water; use near pond, a shaded wall, even shaded seep in desert

Fern Life Cycle

Verbena bonariensis, tall verbenaVerbena family--Verbenaceae

• Opposite leaves narrow & scratchy

• Tall, ‘see through’• Prolific seeder

Verbena bonariensis, tall verbena

Verbena bonariensis, tall verbena

• Native to South America; naturalized in parts of California…

• ID: wispy shrub, 6 x 3 ft, airy branching stems; flrs tubular, purple, in dense clusters; lvs mostly basal

• Value: drought and heat tolerant; airy quality, purple flrs

• Care: little water, deadhead for rebloom; self sows freely…

Vitis californica, California wild grape

• Riparian forest is relict of 20 million years ago

• Trees winter deciduous• Makes good farmland, so

90%+ now converted for agriculture

• Wild grape, Vitis californica, along stream corridors below 4000 ft. elev. is an indicator of this habitat

• ‘Roger’s Red’ is a hort form

Vitis californica, California wild grape

Buddleia x weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’, Honeycomb butterfly bush

Scrophulariaceae

Buddleia x weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’, Honeycomb butterfly bush

• Large, semi-evergreen shrub that attracts butterflies

• Takes moderate water, sun• Prune after bloom, by cutting out the

oldest stems at the base of the plant• This is one of the better butterfly bushes,

that fills a gap in bloom, is fragrant, and is long lasting without too much deadheading

Buddleia davidii, butterfly bushScrophulariaceae

Buddleia davidii, butterfly bushScrophulariaceae

Rhus lancea, African sumac, Anacardiaceae—Cashew family

Rhus lancea, African sumac, Anacardiaceae—Cashew family

From South Africa, called “Karee”

Extremely drought-tolerant tree or large shrub

Dioecious--sexes separate, pollen allergenic

Requires some fussing to look its best (suckers)

Fruit is edible and has been used to make beer

Abelia x grandiflora, Glossy abelia, Caprifoliaceae; honeysuckle family

• Cross between two Chinese species

• Grows 8 x 5 ft. Evergreen or semi-evergreen: loses leaves at 15 F., freezes to ground at 0 F (but does not die); fruit clusters interesting, flrs. white and fragrant, bloom summer and fall

• Leaves opposite!!

Platanus racemosa, California sycamore

• leaf lobes entire,• very hairy

underneath; • fruits spherical,

zigzag on stalk

Platanus racemosa, California sycamore

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’sunflower family--Asteraceae

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’sunflower family--Asteraceae

Philadelphus lewisii, wild mock orangehydrangea family--Hydrangeaceae

Philadelphus lewisii, wild mock orange

• Arching branches• Opposite leaves

with widely spaced teeth, 3-veined from the base

• 4-petaled fragrant flowers

• Blooms on last year’s wood

Clerodendrum bungei, Cashmere Bouquet

mint family--Lamiaceae

Clerodendrum bungei, Cashmere Bouquet

mint family--Lamiaceae

•Tropical look•Needs regular water, shade

•Large opposite leaves with distinctive odor

Erigeron karvinskianus, Santa Barbara daisy

sunflower family--Asteraceae

•Pink and white daisies with yellow centers

•Drought tolerant, full sun

•Mounded form

Erigeron karvinskianus, Santa Barbara daisy

Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’, Camperdown elm

elm family--Ulmaceae

Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’, Camperdown elm

•Large trees, weeping•Leaves double-toothed, edges not meeting at base (oblique or asymmetric base); very rough to touch

•Branches will touch ground

Hydrangea macrophyllaBigleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla Bigleaf Hydrangea

• Opposite leaves• 6 inches long• Simple leaves

Hydrangea macrophylla Bigleaf Hydrangea

• Inflorescence is a corymb

• Bloom color affected by soil pH.

• Acidic soil (pH below 6) flowers are blue

• Alaline soil (pH above 6) flowers are pick