One of the plants I’ve owned the longest is my Ukigumo Japanese Maple. Some things we keep for a long time become part of who we are. Like children, books, cars or even plants. All the plants I grow in my garden represent a piece of me. I think of that funny scene in the movie 101 Dalmatians where the owners resemble their dogs. I’ve … Continue reading Ukigumo, It’s Great to be Eight
Some plants need the slant of the morning sun to be appreciated, others possess an intoxicating fragrance. The Dove Tree, or Davidia involucrata, is at its best when the wind rushes through the leaves, lifting the white bracts so they twist and turn and dance. They flutter. It’s like watching music. The rhythm sweeps through the branches, breathing life and creating patterns. It seems … Continue reading Doves and Discs
The double pure white blossoms of the Mount Fuji flowering cherry opened last month and I knew that was my favorite tree. It called to me on my walks and I kept getting drawn to it. My dog tried to get me over where the grass smelled like several shades of pee, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of this tree. Petals so white, … Continue reading Mount Fuji Flowering Cherry–A Tree for the Moment
Like any good member of the Hamamelidaceae family, the Parrotia tree has a lovely winter bloom. It’s so small and often high up in the tree that it often goes unnoticed. Thanks to a keen student observation, we were able to enjoy this surprising little dash of color in our school arboretum this month. Parrotia persica is an all-around good tree. Glossy green summer leaves, … Continue reading Parrotia Blooming
As I was exploring the Wellington Botanic Garden today I had a chance encounter with a very unusual tree. Near the Lady Norwood Rose Garden I met a Banksia integrifolia or Banksia on a steeply sloped hillside. The first thing I noticed were the unusual seed pods, or woody cones that were persistent all over the tree. They have such an interesting shape and are … Continue reading Banksia
