American persimmon
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday October 5, 2008
Common name: American persimmon
Light: Full sun
Height: 35-60 ft.
Spread: 25-35 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Origin: Eastern North America
The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a slow-growing deciduous tree, which numbers have declined in the wild and in some states they are threatened. These trees are dioecious, meaning each tree produces either male or female flowers. After being pollinated by insects or wind fruits develop through the summer ripening in the fall, sometimes not until after a frost. They are very astringent until fully ripe. The fruit has many uses including persimmon pudding and bread and can be froze or dried for later use. Dried leaves are used in teas and have a taste reminiscent of sassafras. When trees are mature, the bark turns black and forms distinctive square blocks. The dense wood is used in making pool cues and golf club heads. Cultivating persimmons date back to Native Americans. Natural areas in the landscape are ideal for this tree, as wildlife will relish the fruit. American persimmons are located near the Entry Plaza at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Hens and chicks
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday September 12, 2008
Common name: Hens and chicks
Light: Full sun
Height: 4 in.
Spread: 6 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Origin: Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia
There are nearly 50 species of Hens and chicks (Sempervivum). These alpine succulents have pointed thick leaves that form a tight basal rosette. Leaf colors range in shades of green, brown and red often having attractive reddish-brown tips. Leaves may be matte, glossy or covered in fine “downy” hairs. Each rosette will continue to grow until it is flowering size. The flowering stem will elongate from the center and develop pink or red star-shaped flowers. Hens and chicks are monocarpic, meaning that the rosette will naturally die after flowering. Small rosettes will grow from stolens from the larger ones. These plants prefer gritty free-draining soil and are perfect for rock gardens, stonewall crevices and concrete planters. There are over 3,000 named cultivated varieties. Hens and chicks are incorporated into the “Bending Nature” exhibition at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Seven-son flower
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday October 19, 2008
Common name: Seven-son flower
Light: Full sun
Height: 15-20 ft.
Spread: 8-10 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Origin: China
The Seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconiodes) is a deciduous large-growing loosely branched shrub that may be trained to grow as a single-trunk tree. Small white flowers appear late summer to early fall which will attract bees and butterflies. These flowers appear at the branch tips in clusters of seven, hence it’s common name. After the flowers fade, the five-pointed rosy-pink calyces (bract-like structures) will continue to grow and to some, are more attractive than the flowers. Purplish-red half-inch fruits will then develop, which are attractive to birds. During the summer the oblong leaves are shiny green, turning purple-bronze in the autumn. Similar to mature Crape myrtle wood, the Seven-son flower has attractive exfoliating bark, which naturally “peels” off in strips to reveal different shades of brown, adding winter interest. This tree was introduced into the United States in 1980 and may be difficult to find in the retail trade, but worth the effort in locating it. In China, it may no longer exist in the wild. The Seven-son flower is located near the Palm House at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Maiden grass
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday October 26, 2008
Common name: Maiden grass
Light: Full sun
Height: 6-10ft.
Spread: 3-6ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Origin: Cultivated variety
Miscanthus is a genus containing seventeen species of rhizomatous perennial
grasses, which are native to South Africa and East Asia. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’) is one of the many varieties available on the market. Although this variety is one of the oldest, it remains to be one of the more popular used in the landscape. Its rounded clumps remain uniform and are comprised of narrow arching leaves with a thin white midrib. In early fall, bronze feathery flower heads appear and mature into silvery plumes which persist for months adding winter interest. Maiden grass is often used in borders, as screens and along pond edges. Both fresh flowers and dried seed plumes can be used in floral arrangements. They prefer a well-drained soil and can be left undisturbed for several years. Birds are attracted to their seed heads and the plants are deer-resistant. Plants should be cut down to the ground in early spring or when new growth appears. The dried clumps make ideal backdrops for spring-flowering bulbs. Maiden grass is used as focal points throughout the gardens in the Grand Mallway.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
