Plant of the Month for August, 2018

Cotinus 'Grace'

(Ko-TYE-nus)

General Information:

Cotinus ‘Grace’ is a lovely smoke bush that stands out in any garden. It has vibrant red spring foliage that keeps it color all summer long, turning an even better red-orange in fall. Leaf color depends very much on the angle of the sun but when it is shining just right the whole plant glows. Leaves that are in shade will take on a dark green color. In summer it produces large dark pink clouds of blooms.

Cotinus grace main

Cotinus ‘Grace’: photo by Robert Pavlis

'Grace' is a cross between the European smoke bush, Cotinus coggygria ‘Velvet Cloak’ and the American smoke tree,Cotinus obovatus. Some source list this cross as C. x dummeri, but that is not a commonly used name - it may not be valid.

Cotinus grace vertical

Cotinus ‘Grace’: photo by Robert Pavlis

In my zone 5 garden I see winter dieback on some cultivars of smoke bush, but not this one. It also grows more vigorously than most. If you cut the stems back to ground level on a mature plant it will grow 7 to 8 feet in one summer. New growth is always more colorful, so this is a good way to handle the plant.

Cotinus grace flower

Cotinus ‘Grace’:

This plant is reported to have very large flower clusters, but I have not seen that on mine, which tends to have small clusters. This may be due to fact that mine has never reached full size due to pruning. Leaves show no pest damage.

Life Cycle: shrub

Height: 4 m (12 ft)

Bloom Time: summer

Natural Range: n/a

Habitat: n/a

Synonyms: none

Cultivation:

Light: full sun

Soil: very adaptable

Water: drought tolerant once established

USDA Hardiness Zone: ?4 5-9

Propagation: cuttings, layering

Seedex availability (ORG&HPS annual Seed Exchange): never

Germination Tips:

Photos:

Contributions to this page were made by: Robert Pavlis

Plant of the Month for January, 2018

Iberis simplex

(eye-BEER-is SIM-plecks)

General Information:

Iberis simplex is an easy to grow alpine that forms a lose bun and flowers a long time. It is a great addition to a rock or scree garden.

Iberis simplex main

Iberis simplex:photo by Robert Pavlis

The one pictured here was grown from seed obtained from NARGS through their seed exchange program. I have tried several Iberis and they all seem to be easy to grow from seed.

The whole genus is commonly called candytuft but not because they taste sweet. The name is derived from Candia, the former name of Heraklion on the Island of Crete.

Iberis simplex closeup

Iberis simplex:photo by Robert Pavlis

Each flower head consists of numerous flowers which open in succession, accounting for the long bloom display. I. simplex is smaller than some other candytufts but if it gets too large for the space, take cuttings, or layer some stems and start a new plant.

Deer have left this plant alone, but they have eaten other candytufts in the main garden.

Life Cycle: subshrub

Height: 12cm (5in)

Bloom Time: late spring

Natural Range: Eastern Europe, Western Asia

Habitat: rocky slopes and screes, 400-2900m

Synonyms: Iberis pinardii, Iberis taurica

Cultivation:

Light: full sun

Soil: well drained, scree

Water: drought tolerant once established

USDA Hardiness Zone: (3?)5 – 9

Propagation: seed, cuttings late summer

Seedex availability (ORG&HPS annual Seed Exchange): occasionally

Germination Tips:

Requires light or the small seeds should be surface sown. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgkXUSI1GWo&index=1&list=UUJfYCNSWCIuOB2...

Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months.

Contributions to this page were made by: Robert Pavlis

Plant of the Month for February, 2018

Syringa pekinensis

(si-RING-gah pee-keen-EN-sis)

General Information:

Syringa pekinensis is a small multi-stemmed tree that would fit most gardens. It has large clusters of cream-white flowers and exceptional exfoliating bark. If it had great fall color it would be one of the most popular trees on the market, but unfortunately the leaves just go brown.

Syringa pekinensis:photo by Robert Pavlis

Most sources use the name Syringa pekinensis, but some call it Syringa reticulate subsp pekinensis. The tree shape and flowers are very reminiscent of S. reticulata but the later does not have the nice reddish bark. Common names include Chinese tree lilac, Peking lilac and Pekin lilac. This illustrates the problem with common names, since S. reticulata is also commonly called the Chinese tree lilac.

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