enhancing life with plants - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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ps information tips information tips information tGa r d e n i n gGood Things Growing…In The GardensParrotia persica, parrotia or Persian ironwood,is an unfamiliar tree to most gardeners. Itsuffers – many great plants do – from relativeanonymity because it lacks a singular featuresuch as an exuberant flowers, cherry-red berries,or screaming fall color. Its charms may be toosubtle for many to notice.Parrotia’s red flowers are borne in late winter,but are small, odorless and apetalous, unlike theircousins’ the witchhazels. The “showy’ parts arethe ¼” long stamens, interesting up close, butvirtually invisible when compared to camellias,which flower at the same time. Fruits are smallbrown capsules, ornamentally unimportant.Leaves are a handsome, glossy dark green, ovate,with a scalloped margin; the texture is medium.Reddish tones are apparent at leaf-out. Withcooler weather, shades of purple and burgundybegin to dominate, eventually giving way to orangeand yellow; leaves hold late into the season, a few(brown and crispy) remain on the tree throughwinter. Since most are seed-grown, the fall coloris variable but usually very nice. In a nursery, nextto glowing autumn stars like Japanese maples,parrotia would likely seem unremarkable.In youth, parrotia shows an upright habit, typicallysingle-trunked but with several to numeroussinuous leaders. With age, strong horizontal sidebranches develop, creating a habit that is about as wide as high (to about 40’ after 25 years).It is easily pruned up in youth to allow under-plantingor headroom (‘Vanessa’ is reliably narrow). Noble oldspecimens (60’+) develop amazing character as theupright branches often fuse together (inosculate) andthe bark exfoliates in jigsaw-puzzle fashion. Alas, thisrequires time; it’s not instantly gratifying like a riverbirch.The short trunk and numerous, sinuous, uprightbranches are typical for this species.Parrotia persica, next to the Crape Myrtle Garden, withbeautiful dark green summer leaves; the horizontal linesare just becoming evident on this young specimen.Fall color of parrotia shows lots of orange and yellowtones in this late November image.Parrotia is tough, pest-free and undemanding, toleratingheat, humidity, dry urban soils and sunny, exposedconditions with aplomb. With its understated beauty, itwill (sadly) never be a popular plant. But it is magnificent,nevertheless, and deserves wider use.For more information on Parrotia persica, please go towww.bbgardens.org.6Gardening Tipsfor November & DecemberNov e m b e r• SHRUBS – Plant Shrubs, trees, and vines.• LAWNS – Some owners like lawn paints.Have you thought about having a greenlawn this winter? Use proper herbicideto kill germinating winter weeds.• ROSES – Get rose plantings underway.Use a soil test as a basis for fertilization.Look for new varieties.• ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS – Planthardy annuals such as larkspur, poppies,pansies, anchusa, and candytuft. Getsweet peas into the ground.• BULBS – Continue spring bulb planting.Put lilies of the valley in a shady place.• MISCELLANEOUS – Plant screen plantingsfor privacy on the patio.• VEGETABLE SEED – Plant cabbage andlettuce in the coldframe.De c e m b e rCourtesy ofwww.aces.edu• SHRUBS – Planting is still the main activitybut delay in case of freezing weather.• LAWNS – Control wild garlic, chickweed,Poa annua, dandelion, and other weeds.Read label on each can of weed killerused.• ROSES – Add plants to rose garden.Mulch all plantings.• ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS – Planthardy annual seed without delay. Haveyou tried violas?• BULBS – Continue spring bulb planting.• MISCELLANEOUS – Shrubs, trees, and indoorplants make excellent holiday gifts.For more information,see www.aces.eduor call the Plant Hotlineat 1-800-644-4458.
embership honoraria donations memorials membershipGa r d e n Su p p o r t e r s45th AnnualMember DinnerThursday, January 217 p.m.Strange Auditorium,Birmingham Botanical Gardens$35 per personCatered by Occasions by WynfreyPlease RSVP by January 15Reserve your places onlineat www.bbgardens.org orby calling 205.414.3965.y G nov dec newsletter 9/23/08 7:56 AM Page 1The Art ofKathy GCatering • Event Planning • Design Camellia sasanqua cv., Hulsey Woods Leaf & PetalAt The Gardens BirminghamBotanical GardensMembers receive10% discount onlunch at the cafe*please show membercard when orderingWonderful Lunches • Extraordinary EventsThe Beauty of the Birmingham Botanical GardensBox Lunches • Event Menus • Patio SeatingLunch: Tuesday - Saturday, 11-2 • Host your next social or corporate event at The Gardens Café2612 Lane Park Road • Birmingham • 205.871.1000 • thegardenscafe@kathyg.comThe GardensCafeby Kathy GThe gift shop for all your holiday giving....home decor . furniture . books . stationery . jewelry . lighting . children’s giftscontainers . garden items . floral designsLocated at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens2612 Lane Park Road, Mt. Brook205.877.3030 . leafnpetal.com7
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