Plant Guide Fall

Plant Guide Fall 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 plants, many of which have a rich symbolic and cultural history in China. 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 Begonia E Camellia I Japanese White Pine M Seven Sons Flower B Osmanthus F Weeping Katsura J Chinese Fringe Flower N Osmanthus C Rose G Loquat K Osmanthus O Lacebark Pine D Shore Pine H Crape Myrtle L Persimmon P Bamboo A master species list is available at the entrance. It is also available online at www.lansugarden.org/plants PLANT Guide Fall Begonia A Camellia E (Begonia grandis ssp. evansiana) (Camellia ‘Winter’s Rose’) Along with pendulant, rose-pink Bred by the U.S. National Arboretum flowers, this plant has prominent red- for winter hardiness, this evergreen is veins on the undersides of its leaves. compact and slow growing to a height Native to China, it has been admired of two feet. Shell-pink flowers are by poets and painters since the Ming miniature, rose-form doubles. Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) as a symbol of feminine modesty, beauty and virtue. Osmanthus B Weeping Katsura F (Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Variegatus’) (Cercidphyllum japonicum) Native to China, this specimen tree This deciduous small tree has weeping was generously donated by a southeast branches of heart-shaped leaves. Come Portland neighborhood, where it was fall, its leaves turn an orange-brown planted over one hundred years ago. and smell like burnt sugar. It is a rarity given its age and size. In autumn, its tiny white flowers produce a sweet fragrance that permeates the courtyard. In China, these flowers are used in perfumes and tea-making. Rose C Loquat G (Rosa ‘Sevillana’) (Eriobotrya japonica) While not native to China, Rosa This rose-family tree is native to ‘Sevillana’ with its bright red blooms south-central China. It has large, was selected by the original designer serrated deep green leaves and flowers as a nod to Portland’s own namesake— late in the fall. In mild winters, it may “The City of Roses.” produce a small yellow edible fruit. Shore Pine D Crape Myrtle H (Pinus contorta) (Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’ & ‘Tuscarora’) Although this species is not native This Chinese native was a favorite to China, pines are an important ornamental tree during the Tang design element of a Chinese garden dynasty (618-906 CE), when it was and a traditional symbol of strength. a common sight on palace grounds. Each of the garden’s shore pines has Look up high for its dense clusters different growth habits typical of the of crinkled blooms and below for its species and years of pruning. mottled, peeling bark. PLANT Guide Fall Japanese White i Seven Sons m Pine Flower (Pinus parviflora) (Heptacodium miconoides) The pine has long been revered by Native to China, this late summer the Chinese as a symbol of longevity. bloomer has fragrant white flowers This five-needled pine has foliage with followed by rose-pink calyces. This a distinctive white stripe and bluish multi-stemmed shrub has a fountain hue. Its graceful branch pattern and shape and interesting, exfoliating bark. evergreen foliage are something to admire in the cold, winter months. Chinese Fringe j Osmanthus n Flower (Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus, O. (Loropetalum chinensis) fragrans) Native to China, this evergreen shrub is Wondering where that sweet smell is a witch hazel family member. Strappy, coming from? The tiny, orange and bright pink flowers arrive in a flurry white flowers of these evergreen shrubs in April and continue sporadically are hugely fragrant. A popular garden through summer and fall. plant in China, many Osmanthus species bloom in the fall. Flowers are also used to scent teas and flavor wine. Osmanthus k Lacebark pine o (Osmanthus x fortunei) (Pinus bungeana) This evergreen shrub has spiny, dark- Native to China, mature specimens green leaves with tiny, white flowers of this species are rarely found in that are intensely fragrant. Native to the United States. It often grows as China, Osmanthus plants are associated a multi trunk tree with needles in with legends about the moon, because bundles of three. Its most outstanding they bloom at the time of the Chinese ornamental quality is its multi-colored ‘mid-autumn’ or ‘moon’ festival. bark that naturally flakes off in a lace- like pattern. persimmon l bamboo p (Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya’) (Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Castillonis’) Cultivated for more than 2,000 years This clumping bamboo has in China, this ebony-wood family outstanding yellow culms with bright member grows to 20 feet tall and is green stripes. In China, bamboo is hardy to 10° F. Its fruit turns a bright admired, due to its flexible nature and orange as the leaves begin to drop. The ability to return to its upright position, highly tannic fruit can only be eaten after challenging circumstances. after it ripens to a mushy softness. Do you have a question about a specific plant? Email Glin Varco, Lan Su’s Director of Horticulture at [email protected] for more information..

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