Guide Winter

China is home to more than 30,000 plant – 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 Chinese Juniper 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 Rhodea 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.

Mahonia B Chinese Plum F (Mahonia lomarifolia) (Prunus mume, P. mume ‘Kobai’, P. mume ‘Alba’) A relative of Oregon grape (M. acquifolium), 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 ( praecox) (Pinus 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 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 chinensis) 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.

Chinese Juniper j Chinese Paper n (Juniper chinesis ‘Kaizuka’) Bush This specimen sized juniper has (Edgeworthia ‘Red Dragon’, E. chrysantha) striking evergreen foliage that twists as its grows upward. The parent species of Native to China, this deciduous shrub this ‘modern’ hybrid was cultivated by is a relative of sweet Daphne. In winter, the Chinese more than 2,300 years ago. frosty silver open to clusters of intoxicatingly fragrant, yellow or orange flowers. The Chinese made paper from this plant by pounding flat 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 l bamboo p Pine (Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Castillonis’) (Pinus parviflora) This clumping bamboo has outstanding yellow culms with bright green The pine has long been revered by stripes. In China, bamboo is admired, the Chinese as a symbol of longevity. due to its flexible nature and ability This five-needled pine has foliage with to return to its upright position, after a distinctive white stripe and bluish challenging circumstances. hue. Its graceful branch pattern and evergreen foliage are something to admire in the cold, winter months.

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