GUIDE Winter

China is home to more than 30,000 plant species – one-eighth of the world’s total. At Lan Su, visitors can enjoy hundreds of these , many of which have a rich symbolic and cultural history in . This guide is a selected look at some of Lan Su’s current favorites.

Please return this guide to the Garden Host at the entrance when your visit is over. A Heavenly Bamboo e i Loquat m Chinese Fringe b Mahonia f Chinese Plum j Sweet Box n Chinese Paper Bush c Wintersweet g Shore Pine k Phoebe o Lacebark Pine d Lushan Honeysuckle h Winter l Japanese White Pine p Bamboo

A master species list is available at the entrance. It is also available online at www.lansugarden.org/plants PLANT GUIDE Winter heavenly bamboo A rohdea E (Nandina domestica) (Rohdea japonica) Native to China, this bamboo-like A member of the Lily family, this plant has white in summer evergreen plant has thick strappy that turn into bright red, clusters and spikes of bright red in the winter. It is also used indoors berries in winter. In China, they are in flower arrangements and as an altar traditionally given as a gift to mark decoration. a happy occasion and to bring good fortune.

berberis B chinese plum F (Berberis lomarifolia, B. fortunei) (Prunus mume, P. mume ‘Kobai’, P. mume ‘Alba’) A relative of Oregon grape (B. aquifolium), this mahonia has long One of the most culturally significant been used in Chinese gardens. It has plants in China, P. mume is one of the spiny evergreen leaves and upright, “Three Friends of Winter” (along with clusters of bright yellow flowers in pine and bamboo) given its ability winter. Flowers produce blue berries to flower in the coldest months. The and new red growth appears in spring. flower’s five also represent the five Notice the ornamental bark too! blessings of longevity, health, wealth, love of virtue and a good end to life.

wintersweet C shore pine G (Chimonanthus praecox) (Pinus contorta ssp. contorta) In China, C. praecox is the floral Although this species is not native to symbol of the twelfth lunar month. China, pines are an important design Its waxy yellow flowers appear during element of a Chinese garden and a the coldest months of the year and traditional symbol of strength. Each of provide a deliciously sweet fragrance. the garden’s shore pines has a different growth habit typical of the species and years of pruning.

lushan D winter jasmine H honeysuckle ( Jasminum nudiflorum) (Lonicera modesta var. lushanensis) Look for this plant along the water’s edge where its yellow flowers cascade This deciduous to semi-evergreen down over the rocks. Blooming during produces tubular white flowers the coldest time of year, this hardy that run the length of vigorous, vine- jasmine is also a valuable food source like branches during winter. Its sweet for the hummingbirds that visit the and fresh fragrance can be detected garden year round. even on cold, rainy days. PLANT GUIDE Winter

loquat i chinese fringe m (Eriobotrya japonica) flower This rose-family tree is native to (Loropetalum chinense, various cultivars) south-central China. It has large, Native to China, this evergreen shrub is serrated deep green leaves and flowers a witch hazel family member. Strappy, late in the fall. In mild winters, it may bright pink flowers arrive in a flurry produce a small yellow edible . in April and continue sporadically through summer and fall.

sweet box j chinese paper bush n (Sarcococca confusa, S. ruscifolia, S. (Edgeworthia chrysantha) hookeriana var. humilis) Native to China, this deciduous shrub Native to western China, this evergreen is a relative of sweet Daphne. In winter, shrub has a small white flower with a frosty silver buds open to clusters strong, sweet fragrance. It blooms in of intoxicatingly fragrant, yellow or winter followed by blue-black berries orange flowers. The Chinese made in summer. Tolerant of shade and semi- paper from this plant by pounding flat dry conditions. the stems.

phoebe k lacebark pine o (Phoebe chekiangensis) (Pinus bungeana) This evergreen tree is a member of the Native to China, mature specimens Laurel family and one of the Garden’s of this species are rarely found in rarest plants. The “nan” wood that is the . It often grows as used to make fine Chinese furniture a multi trunk tree with needles in and musical instruments comes from bundles of three. Its most outstanding a closely related species of this plant. ornamental quality is its multi-colored bark that naturally flakes off in a lace- like pattern.

japanese white pine l bamboo p (Pinus parviflora) (multiple species, see master species list) The pine has long been revered by Bamboo is admired in China for its the Chinese as a symbol of longevity. flexible nature and ability to return to This five-needled pine has foliage with its upright position after challenging a distinctive white stripe and bluish circumstances, or bend without breaking. hue. Its graceful branch pattern and It has many uses, from food to medicine evergreen foliage are something to to building material, and more. Bamboo is admire in the cold, winter months. in the Poaceae, or grass, family. It flowers after 60-130 years depending on species, and then dies.

Do you have a question about a specific plant? Email Lan Su’s Horticulture department at [email protected] for more information.