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
I’m collecting trees. I’m collecting them but not planting them in my yard or writing them into books. I’m creating a small forest in my mind, a woodland edge of heart shaped leaves and twisty curly needles. This collection that is slowly growing is my list of all-time favorite trees. As time goes by I announce my favorites ‘I’m only happy under a Snowbell’ or … Continue reading A New Dove
I wouldn’t have noticed this tree unless I saw the sign right in front of it. Most signs aren’t very interesting but when they’re in front of plants I stop and read them. This one stated that when in flower, Azara smells like milk chocolate. What?! A chocolate plant? Yum….I immediately stepped into the under story of this suddenly fascinating plant and was surrounded by the … Continue reading Azara
Variegated Stellar Pink Dogwood (Cornus kousa x Cornus florida) I’ve seen trees like this before. On the Monrovia site you can find three variegated Cornus kousa; Samaritan, Wolf Eyes and Summer Fun, but they all have white flowers. As the human race is constantly searching for the next new thing, now arrives the variegated dogwood with a Pink flower. Dogwoods always look so spindly and … Continue reading 3 Trees—New Varieties for 2015
I love the foliage on this bottlebrush shrub. It’s almost between a conifer and a deciduous plant, smooth and shiny green. And evergreen. I like it and I didn’t even get to see the beautiful flowers, which are crimson red and larger than other varieties. This plant is sold by Monrovia and grows in zones 8-11. It’s compact and grows eight feet high and … Continue reading New Variety—Scarlet Torch Bottlebrush
