Ilex crenata Drops of Gold^TM was discovered as a branch sport on Ilex crenata ‘Hetzii’.  Glossy evergreen leaves change to golden yellow when exposed to direct sunlight. While the Japanese holly will grow in lightly shaded locations, best coloration is achieved when exposed to full sun. Mature plants reach 2-3’ in height with a spread of 3-4’. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’ is a plant with personality. Twisting stems lined with numerous spines jut out in every direction. This cultivar is used as a specimen in the Winter Garden while the species is often planted as a screening shrub in the south. As Michael Dirr says “… no sane person would attempt to penetrate this hedge.” Photo credit: J. Coceano

Nandina domestica ‘Moonbay’ is a small compact shrub reaching 30 inches in height with a similar spread. Its evergreen nature is ideal for low screening as seen here where it masks the support of a Swarthmore College campus map. New growth turns red in autumn and lasts throughout the winter months.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Musa basjoo on a hazy summer day in the Cosby Courtyard. photo credit: J. Coceano

Musa, regarded as true bananas, comprise a genus of roughly 40 species indigenous to tropical Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. To say the plant is fast-growing is an understatement. Thick suckering stems called pseudostems shoot upwards to heights of 15-20’.  The term pseudostem is given as the plant does not produce a true stem but rather a collection of old leaf bases. Individual pseudostems flower once. Death occurs shortly after fruiting; however, the plant remains as other suckering pseudostems continue to grow from the original root mass. Flowers occur on large, pendulous or erect inflorescence. Female flowers bear fruit.

Musa basjoo winterized in the Cosby Courtyard by heaping a mixture of leaf mold and aged woodchips around the base of the plant. photo credit: J. Coceano

Native to Sichuan, China, Musa basjoo is a reliably hardy banana. A large clump makes its home in the Cosby Courtyard. M. basjoo thrives in full sun and appreciates the sheltered location afforded to it by the walls of the surrounding buildings allowing its 6’ long, narrow leaves to remain un-tattered by strong winds. As the growing season wanes, the pseudostems are cut leaving roughly 1-2’ above ground. A generous blanket of equal proportions of leaf mold and aged woodchips is heaped around the plant. Gardener Nicole Selby has been mulching a little less each season. The experiment is allowing her to test the hardiness of the plant. While she is not ready to try a winter without the insulating mulch, she and other sources recommend a good mulching until the clump becomes well-established.

Musa 'Siam Ruby' with a new sucker emerging. photo credit: J. Coceano

Musa ‘Siam Ruby’ is a diminutive banana with stunning ruby red leaves flecked with random green blocks. The plant reaches 8’ in height and is an ideal choice for those restricted by space. M. ‘Siam Ruby’ is not hardy in our zone and must be stored in a frost-free area for the winter. Thankfully the plant’s smaller size makes digging manageable. Additional cultivars and species of Musa have become available in recent years.

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' leaves flush with burgundy-red hues. photo credit: J. Coceano

Ensete, known as the Abyssinian banana, is comprised of about seven species of banana-like plants from tropical Africa and Asia. Unlike the genus Musa, these plants are monocarpic and do not sucker. Only one species is common in cultivation. Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ grows to 10’ (up to 20’ in tropical areas) with leaves of equal length! Leaves are flushed with burgundy-red hues, a trait that is more pronounced in the new growth and with high light levels. Dig E. ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ after the first frost, cutting leaves back to the pseudostem, and store in a dark, cool location. Sadly, plants die after flowering. I have yet to see flowering occur in gardens where the plant must be dug and stored for the winter.

Tattered leaves of Musa 'Siam Ruby'. photo credit: J. Coceano

The Tropical Look by Robert Lee Riffle lists “three flies in this ointment.” First, bananas, both Musa and Ensete are easily shredded by wind. Plant in a sheltered location or accept that shredded leaves come with the territority. Use a sharp knife to cut aged and tattered leaves back to the pseudostem. Second, Musa basjoo tends to migrate from its original planting location as the center dies and gives rise to new pseudostems. The solution is to simply plant where this minor movement isn’t a problem or replant young suckers. Lastly, the sap of all Musa stains fabric so wearing old gardening clothes is a must. I would add that Ensete poses one additional consideration. Over time, the pseudostem acquires a hefty girth. The size, coupled with the volume of retained water, make moving the plant a challenge. One idea is to grow the plant for several seasons until it becomes too large to manage or enlist help with moving the plant.

Ensete cut back and ready for digging. photo credit: J. Coceano

While bananas require additional care and maintenance, the visual tropical impact they provide is hard to surpass. As you peruse the latest gardening catalogs and dream about the upcoming season, imagine a banana in that vision.

Cornus alba ‘Bud’s Yellow’ is at its best during winter when the low, angled light of early morning or mid-afternoon illuminate the yellow stems. Site within a mixed border or in front of evergreens and provide full sun or partial shade. It is a rapid growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub generally reaching 5-7’ in height. Cut stems make attractive additions to winter containers or floral arrangements.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Euphorbia pseudograntii var. rubrum flourished in a dry, shallow planter in the Cosby Courtyard. Originating from tropical East Africa, E. pseudograntii var. rubrum grows 2-3’ in one season, ultimately reaching 6-8’ at maturity. Large, waxy, oblong leaves vary from pure green to solid maroon with varying degrees of color combinations in between. Provide full sun and sharp drainage. Photo credit: J. Coceano

With guidance from Bernie Wiener, Wister greenhouse volunteers learned tricks for successful begonia propagation.  Among the cultivars propagated was Begonia ‘Red Planet’, a small-leaved rhizomatous begonia with leathery green leaves splashed with maroon markings and a red “planet” from which leaf veins originate. Begonia propagules will grow on in the greenhouse before moving outdoors and into containers. Photo credit: J. Coceano

The November issue of Gardens Illustrated featured a plant profile on Sorbus.  This genus includes about 100 species of trees and shrubs, which go by a variety of common names such as mountain ash, rowan, and service tree.  While the magazine highlights the many desirable traits of Sorbus, such as their multi-season appeal, this genus thrives in the United Kingdom but does not do well in Pennsylvania due to the heat and humidity of our summers.  However, there is one species of Sorbus at the Scott Arboretum that does succeed in this climate: Sorbus alnifolia.

The attracitve white flowers of Sorbus alnifolia. photo credit: T. Rounsaville

Commonly known as Korean mountain ash, S. alnifolia shows off gorgeous characteristics year-round.  In April and May, it produces beautiful white flowers.  From September through November, this tree stands out with stunning fall color of vibrant red, deep orange, and yellow.  Clusters of red fruit attached to pedicels persist throughout the winter months, showcasing an impressive bounty of berries.

Red berries of Sorbus provide winter interest in the BioStream. photo credit: L. Stiebitz

Hardy in Zones 4 through 7, this particular species is more resistant to the diseases that often impact Sorbus such as fire blight and leaf spot.  In fact, Sorbus alnifolia has been deemed a Gold Medal plant by the Long Island Gold Medal Plant program.  Korean mountain ash is also planted along the streets of Swarthmore.

Sorbus alnifolia was previously featured in the Plant of the Week posts by Josh Coceano.  Here you can see its showy fall color and attractive fruit.

Sorbus alnifolia in fruit. photo credit: J. Coceano

Korean mountain ash does best in well-drained soil and prefers full sun.  With a moderate growth rate, it can reach a height of 40 to 50 feet.  At the Scott Arboretum, you can see this gorgeous gem of a tree situated between the Biostream and Willets Residence Hall.

Cascading branches of Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’ soften the lines of Sharples Dining Hall. P. strobus ‘Pendula’ is a semi-dwarf cultivar typically growing 6-15’ tall with a wider spread. Form is variable and dependent upon pruning and training.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Cool sunny days have prompted several witch hazels, including Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’, to bloom. This particular cultivar is beloved for its sweetly fragrant, ribbon-like, crinkly copper flowers. The x intermedia hybrids characteristically reach 12-20’ in height and offer good vigor. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Magnolia virginiana var. australis ‘Tensaw’ is a diminutive form of our native sweet bay magnolia. The upright, evergreen tree bears small leaves and quarter-size fragrant white flowers. Seen here framed against a backdrop of Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ and Mertz Hall, the small tree is excellent for the collector or those with limited space. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Wendell Berry is a farmer, poet, and visionary whose book The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture, written in the late 1970’s, is now an American classic. Berry addresses many issues that he perceives as cultural dysfunction in modern times, from human and soil health problems to the destruction of local economies, and ties them back to the industrial revolution of farming and the creation of agribusiness. He comments on almost all aspects of modern life, and predicted much of what came to pass in the last 30 years since the original publication of this book. It is impossible to read this book and to not think about how life might be different if we all lived closer to our local farmer, to our food, and to our earth.

Many of his viewpoints are controversial, and will make an excellent discussion at our next Nature’s Narratives Book Discussion group. Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, January 11 at 5:30 pm, in the Scott Horticultural Library for what is sure to be an interesting discussion on agribusiness and its relationship to the problems that plague modern life.

Usually around the first of January the wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox begins blooming.  At the Arboretum we grow the straight species which has pendant bell-shaped flowers which are a “dirty” white.  ‘Grandiflorus’ also has an off-white petal but the center of the flower is a deep maroon brown.

Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus' in the Winter Garden. photo credit: R. Robert

The best cultivar that we grow is Chimonanthus praecox ‘Luteus’, which has a bright yellow flower.  We have fine specimens of ‘Luteus’ in the Winter Garden as well as in the Scott Entrance Garden.  All of the Chimonanthus cultivars have a very inviting fragrance.  Just cutting a small branch and bringing it inside will fill your house with its delightful scent.

The golden yellow of Hamamelis vernalis 'New Year Gold'. photo credit: R. Robert

Just starting to flower in the Sibbett Garden is Hamamelis vernalis ‘New Year Gold’.  This golden yellow clone is one of the earliest of all the witchhazels to bloom.  Like other H. vernalis cultivars, this selection has great fragrance.

Mahonia x media 'Lionel Fortescue' with open sprays of yellow flower. photo credit: J. Coceano

In spite of the very cold weather many of the Mahonia x media cultivars are still revealing their panicles of striking yellow flowers.  These cultivars begin flowering in early November with open sprays of yellow flowers.  At the Arboretum, we have several outstanding cultivars including ‘Charity’, ‘Lionel Fortescue’, ‘Underway’ and ‘Winter Sun’.

This asparagus caught my eye with a deep yellow fall color dotted with brilliant red berries. Native to Siberia, this edible perennial is dioecious, requiring male and female plants to produce those attention-grabbing berries. The foliage of Asparagus schoberioides has a flowing and frilly texture. Chuck notes that “it reminds me of Amsonia hubrichtii in texture.” In our trial of Asparagus schoberioides, average well drained soil in sun to part sun keeps it happy.

The flowing, frilly texture of Asparagus schoberioides dotted with vibrant red berries. photo credit: R. Robert

We sourced our Asparagus schoberioides plants from John Story of MeadowBrook Farms. MeadowBrook received their plants from Chanticleer, who originally sourced them from a plant expedition trip by the Morris Arboretum. Interestingly, Chuck initially discovered this attractive plant outside of the Visitor Center of the Morris Arboretum. Apparently, Asparagus schoberioides has caught everyone’s eye as we are all experimenting with it to determine if it will be a good garden plant.

I offer this plant to spark your daydreaming of perfect gardening weather and great gardening ideas. I encourage you to consider what plants you will trial in your garden in this year. And don’t worry, I will let you know if Asparagus schoberioides proves to be a worthy ornamental plant after our trial is complete. Happy daydreaming.

Described as a bicolor anemone form, Camellia oleifera ‘Winter’s Interlude’ blooms in shades of soft pink. The plant matures to a rounded form and begins flowering in October often carrying through into December. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Pink’ benefits from the moist, nutrient-rich soil and high canopy afforded it in the Harry Wood Garden. The airy soft pink plumes bloom mid-summer and remain ornamental long after flowering has finished. A favorite among Scott flower arrangers. Photo credit: J. Coceano

The turkey or bornmueller fir, Abies bornmuelleriana, is rarely seen in cultivation. The densely-needled fir reaches heights of 50’ and enjoys full sun. Some suspect the plant to be a natural cross between Abies nordmanniana (Nordmann fir) and A. cephalonica (Greek fir). Photo credit: J. Coceano

The NAPCC is part of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA).  The NAPCC is an advocate for raising plant curation, plant records, and collections management standards.  It is also a seal of approval for plant collections found in botanical gardens and arboreta that exhibit exemplary collections of plants  throughout North America.

James R. Frorer Holly Collection is located on a south facing slope along the Crum Creek. photo credit: D. Mattis

The Scott Arboretum holds three NAPCC collections including Ilex, hollies; Quercus, oaks; and Magnolia. Our first collection to get NAPCC status was the holly collection.  The lion’s share of this collection is found in the James R. Frorer Holly Collection on the south facing slopes along the Crum Creek. This collection was donated by Swarthmore College graduate, James R. Frorer in 1974 from his property in Wilmington, Delaware.  Today, the collection represents over 290 different kinds of hollies.

There are some great rest spots found among the blossoms of the Magnolia Collection. photo credit: J. Jin

Another significant collection with NAPCC status is our Magnolia Collection. Historically, the “collection” existed around Mertz Dormitory, Worth Health Center, and the Benjamin West House.  Over the last 15 years due to growth of the collection we have expanded out magnolia plantings to the West Garden, Tree Peony Garden, Sharples Dining Hall, and the Pinetum.  The collection is rich in species, cultivars, and hybrids, representing over 150 taxa.

Fall color of the majestic Quercus phellos. photo credit: R. Manduca

Our most recent NAPCC collection is the oaks. We are part of a multi-institution group which represents the genus, Quercus in North America.  Because oaks are found in many  geographical regions of the world it is prudent to have a variety of institutions collectively hold this collection.  For example, the UC Davis Arboretum can grow the California and Mexican oaks while the Scott Arboretum can focus on Eastern U. S. native species along with European and Asian species and cultivars.

Quercus bicolor with lovely fall color. photo credit: R. Manduca

Each of the three collections span the entire Arboretum.  Exploring any of these collections will open your eyes to the range of plants growing here at Scott Arboretum.