Nov 9, 2017 / Washington Park Arboretum, Horticulture, News / UWBG Horticulturist

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Fall and Winter Interests at the Washington Park Arboretum

Fall and Winter Interests at the Washington Park Arboretum, November 7-20, 2017
Clif Edwards
Fall and Winter Interests at the Washington Park Arboretum,
(November 7 – 20, 2017)

1)   Acer triflorum                              Three-flowered Maple

  • This is a small to medium-sized tree, native to northeastern China and Korea.
  • Exfoliating bark, three leaflets, and amazing fall color are some highlights of this tree.
  • Look for this tree, with one of the last displays of fall color for the season, in the Asiatic Maples collection.

2)   Callicarpa bodinieri                   Beautyberry

  • Most species in the genus, including this one, come from eastern and southeastern Asia, although this species can be found in Australia, Madagascar, North America, and South America.
  • The conspicuous metallic purple berries are an ornamental delight after leaves have fallen.
  • Birds and insect larvae feed on the berries during the lean winter months.
  • These colorful berries can be seen along the east side of Arboretum Drive across from the Woodland Garden and in the Witt Winter Garden.

3)   Camellia sasanqua                    Sasanqua Camellia

  • This species of Cmellia, native to China and Japan, was first recorded in cultivation in 1695.
  • You can visit winter-flowering varieties in the Camellia collection as well as the Witt Winter Garden.
  • ‘Crimson King’ and ‘Jean May’ are cultivars in our collection that have received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

4)   Euonymus myrianthus                     Evergreen Spindle Tree

  • This medium-sized shrub, native to western China, was introduced to England in 1908 by famous plant hunter, Ernest Wilson.
  • The vibrant fruit, a yellow capsule, provides a nice contrast to dense evergreen foliage in fall and early winter.
  • You can view this interesting plant in the southeast corner of the Asiatic Maples collection.

5)   Magnolia stellata                     Star Magnolia

  • This is a small, slow-growing, deciduous tree native to Japan.
  • The winter interest with this tree is the fuzzy buds that will turn into one of spring’s first flowers.
  • This species has been cultivated with many varieties and cultivars, and is quite common in the urban environment.