Current Plant Highlights
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December / January
Acer griseum
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Platanus x acerifolia
Fagus sylvatica
Prunus mackii
Sciadopitys verticillata
Phellodendron amurense
Acer griseum, paperbark maple, is especially notable in winter, when the rich, reddish-brown color of its peeling bark stands out against the landscape. The species was collected in China by Ernest H. Wilson, well-known plant explorer for the Arnold Arboretum, and introduced to North America by the Arboretum in 1907. The specimen standing on Chinese Path, planted in 1907, may be the oldest documented in the U.S. and the largest as well.
Stewartia pseudocamellia, Japanese stewartia, is truly a plant for all seasons. In mid to late summer, it is appreciated for its white, camellia-like blooms, and in autumn for the red-to-purple shade of its oval-shaped leaves. But it is not until the leaves fall that the tree's most remarkable characteristic is unveiled-the mottling of its bark in colors that vary from tan to cream to olive. Growers found this tree difficult to propagate until Arnold Arboretum plant propagators unlocked the secret, and now it is commonly offered for sale by nurseries. The Arboretum's specimen is located on the front lawn of the Hunnewell Building.
When Betula nigra, river birch, is young, its bark peels back to expose a beautiful inner layer ranging in color from gray to reddish-brown. As the tree ages, however, this characteristic is lost, and the bark becomes dark brown and furrowed. Though its common name rightly suggests a tolerance to wet areas, the species also does well on sites that may be quite dry during portions of the year. Unlike many other birch trees, it is relatively disease and insect free; bronze birch borer, which devastate other birches, has not been a significant problem for this species. It is a tree for larger sites, as it can reach 40 to 70 feet both in height and spread. Betula nigra is located on both sides of Bussey Hill Road just west of the Dana Greenhouse driveway.
Parrotia persica, known as ironwood or simply parrotia, remains striking even after the disappearance of its fall foliage, which ranges in color from bright yellow to orange to scarlet. As its branches and trunk age, the bark peels to reveal an exquisite collage of white, green, gray, and brown. The tree may be single- or multistemmed and is relatively small, reaching 20 to 40 feet in height. The leaves are similar in shape and texture to those of its close relative, witchhazel-oval with rounded "teeth" near the tip. Once established, parrotia is known to be remarkably tolerant of diseases and pests. A large specimen is located on the west side of Valley Road just south of the hickories.
Ilex aquifolium, English holly, is prized for the persistence throughout winter of its lustrous, dark-green leaves, with their wavy, spiny margins, and for the bright red fruits on the female trees. In the wild (Europe and small areas in Asia and Africa) it can become a large, dense tree. In our climate, however, it is usually found in shrub form, and USDA zones 6 (protected) and 7 are the functional northern limits. Nevertheless, some of the hundreds of cultivars, and more importantly, the hybrids, such as Ilex x meserveae, have become staples in our gardens. English holly is located on the west side of Meadow Road near the golden rain trees.
Especially in winter, Clethra barbinervis, Japanese clethra, is prized for its wonderful, smooth, mottled bark, which sometimes peels from the trunk and branches. The habit may be that of a small tree or a large shrub, reaching 10 to 20 feet in height. Japanese clethra is located on the east side of Meadow Road just north of Faxon Pond.
The bark of Platanus x acerifolia, London planetree, exhibits an exfoliating (peeling) character that reveals color hues ranging from cream to olive to light brown. London planetree is a hybrid cross between the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), which is susceptible to anthracnose, and the Oriental planetree (Platanus orientalis); some but not all individuals inherit resistance to anthracnose from the Oriental parent. Since London planetree may reach 100 feet in height, with a spread just slightly smaller, it should be planted in large, open areas. A stately specimen of London planetree is located on the north side of Valley Road immediately south of the Centre Street Gate.
Fagus sylvatica, European beech, and F. grandifolia, American beech, are two very similar and majestic trees that are much appreciated in the winter. Both have wonderfully smooth, light-gray bark that sparkles in the winter light. Some people describe the bark on older trunks of F. sylvatica as elephant-like, resembling the color and character of elephant hide. It is easy to differentiate between the two species because of the tendency of American beech to sucker from the roots, resulting in mature specimens that are usually surrounded by scores of young trees; the base of the European beech, on the other hand, is in most cases clear of seedlings. Reserve both beeches for large, open areas, as they may reach 60 to 70 feet in height with a spread just slightly smaller. The beech collection is located at the intersection of Beech Path and Valley Road.
The exquisite bark of Prunus mackii, Amur chokecherry, peels from the trunk in strips, varying in color from brownish-yellow to reddish-brown. The tree has a rounded crown and reaches about 40 feet in height. In early to mid-May, it is draped with white flowers, which dangle in two- to three-inch-long racemes. Its small fruit is red at first, but matures to black in August. Specimens of Amur chokecherry are located in the Bradley Collection of Rosaceous Plants just west of Dawson Pond.
Sciadopitys verticillata, Japanese umbrella pine, grows very slowly, at most six inches a season. The common name comes from the arrangement of its thick, flat needles in whorls around the stem. Its leathery foliage produces a fairly coarse texture, providing an interesting focal point in the winter landscape. In hot regions, the Japanese umbrella pine prefers partial shade to full sun, and it may require some protection from winds. Japanese umbrella pine is located on the southeast corner of the Hunnewell Building.
The picturesque Cedrus libani, cedar of Lebanon, becomes flat-topped with age, creating a wonderful profile in the winter landscape. Its blue-green needles are arranged in rosettes along the stems and branches. The cones, attractive and easily visible when mature, usually shatter while still on the tree, spreading their scales on the ground below. Legend has it that King Solomon, enchanted by the tree's fragrant wood, used cedar of Lebanon to build his temple. A large specimen of Cedrus libani is located immediately to the south of the Hunnewell Building.
The bark of Phellodendron amurense, the Amur cork tree, is thick and springy and begs to be touched. The tree's architecture is striking at all times of the year, with low-slung, wide-spreading branches. The fall foliage, a bright, clear yellow, lasts only a short time, but the black fruit persists into winter and is attractive to a variety of birds. This species, a member of the citrus family (Rutaceae), has fruit that releases a fragrance reminiscent of grapefruit when it is bruised. Several Amur cork trees are located on the west side of Meadow Road just south of the lindens.