What would give someone the idea to label a plant with the cultivar epithet “panache?” Could a plant really be so full of brio to deserve such a title? Well, yes. This cultivar of Canna glauca stands above the rest (figuratively speaking, as it is of average height for a Canna), with true panache that comes from a depth of detail and subtle complexities, making other cannas look bland and simplified.

Canna glauca ‘Panache’ has hearty bluish-green (“glaucous” hence the species name), banana-like leaves that stand about five feet tall and emerge from stout, laterally growing, underground, root-like stems. Throughout the growing season, it is topped perpetually with sprays of its flowers. The delicate flowers have peach petals fading to red toward the centers and held in profusion by burgundy stems and calyces.

We are close to the cusp of perennialized Canna here in Swarthmore; they are hardy to Zone 7b. Therefore, it is recommended that the rhizomes are dug and stored in a cool dry place for the winter to maximize survival and prolong usage. Originally a new world plant, the genus Canna has been distributed around the world for horticultural uses as a strong, reliable perennial plant where conditions permit.

 Because of its height, it works well toward the middle/rear of a bed as a strong pop of color behind a foreground planting that can handle full sun conditions. This plant is an exuberant bloomer that produces consistent, strong, colorful blooms throughout the season. This Canna and many other great plants will be available at the 2019 Scott Arboretum Selections Spring Sale on Saturday, May 11!

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As we approach the frost-free date, I am planning the exciting tropicals I will be planting in the garden. I am excited to add the Brazilian candle plant, Pavonia multiflora for its dark green glossy foliage and bright pinkish-red bracts.

The flowering form of the Brazilian candle plant Pavonia multiflora is an anomaly within the genus and in the hibiscus family. Botanists often see things that others might miss. This plant does not appear at first glance to resemble Hibiscus by any stretch of the imagination, but the devil is in the details. Typically members of the genus Pavonia resemble swamp hibiscus flowers with wide petals and the fused column of filaments projecting from the center seen widely in members of the mallow family Malvaceae. Pavonia multiflora, however, has attractive, bright pinkish-red bracts that splay outward beneath tightly fused burgundy sepals that hold the rolled petals which protrude like a satiny, deep-purple cigar. From the center of the tube of petals emerges a spray of stamens with red filaments and tiny spherical blue anthers. Truly a very attractive flower and, thankfully, plentiful on the plant during the flowering period.

The genus name comes as a latinization in honor of José Antonio Pavón, 19th century Spanish botanist, who was famous for his explorations and botanizing in South America under the funding of Charles III of Spain. The species name means “many-flowered.” Pavonia multiflora  is a naturally evergreen shrub with shiny, lance-shaped leaves and can reach heights of 8ft in the wild. Generally preferring part shade conditions, sources indicate that as a houseplant it will reach a maximum of about 3ft and responds well to periodic, hard cutbacks. This plant and many others will be available at the 2019 Scott Arboretum Selections Spring Sale on Saturday, May 11!

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Magnolia x loebneri ‘Wildcat’

The Magnolia Collection between Worth Health Center and Mertz Residence Hall is truly something to behold. At this time of year each tree takes its turn with bright showy flowers from paper-white to bright pink and even some rich yellow. All of this is complemented by the small spring ephemerals growing in the lawn around them.

Magnolia x loebneri ‘Wildcat’ is quite small as it is a relatively new addition to the collection. It stands only about six or seven feet tall but is decked with large white flowers. The flowers sport a multitude of tepals, some sources say up to fifty per flower, which gives them a white rose-like appearance as they begin to open this time of year.

Sources indicate that the small, deciduous tree, Magnolia x loebneri, is a hybrid of Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata. The cultivar ‘Wildcat’ was selected for its fragrant, doubled flowers. photo credit: J. Bickel

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’

The Pinetum on the south side of campus near the train tracks is home to many interesting plants that are often partially obscured and can be overlooked. Though we have many specimens of Hinoki falsecypress in the collection, we have only one of the cultivar ‘Filicoides’.

Something of an oddity, C. obtusa ‘Filicoides’ has miniature, spraying, dark-green, foliage that grows very slowly. The tree, however, is relatively large and sparsely branched offering a clear view of the peeling, reddish bark. Originally native to Japan, Hinoki falsecypress is a very common tree and shrub in American gardens. photo credit: R. Robert

Iris reticulata ‘Pixie’

Though small, ‘Pixie’ packs a punch. Only about six inches tall, this Iris is diminutive compared to its more common dutch or bearded relatives, but its color is just as exciting. Commonly called the netted iris, Iris reticulata is generally light blue with yellow spots in the throat; however, the cultivar ‘Pixie’ has true violet petals.

Currently blooming on the outside wall of the Cosby Courtyard, its size, bright color, and bloom time would make it an interesting companion to other spring ephemeral bulbs like Galanthus, Eranthis, or Leucojum. Originally native to the Caucasus mountains, sources indicate that it would appreciate a rock garden planting site. photo credit: R. Robert

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Galanthus ‘Magnet’

Though this is an old cultivated variety of snowdrop, it still never fails to awe and impress as it returns year after year, emerging from the desolate winter landscape. Best known for its long flower stalks and large, showy, snow-white flowers, ‘Magnet’ was discovered and introduced into cultivation sometime in the 1880s. Sources indicate that the genus name is a combination of gala- meaning “milk” and -anthos meaning “flower” referring to the pendulous, bright white tepals.

Preferring full sun to part shade and appreciating a dry, shady dormancy, Galanthus pairs well with other early spring ephemerals, especially Eranthis hyemalis, which blooms around the same time in mid-February. This specimen can be found beneath the Camellia outside the door to the Off Campus Study Office attached to the Cunningham House. Photo credit: J. Bickel

Acer palmatum ‘Bihou’

An unexpected pop of winter yellow-orange that goes by the name of Acer palmatum ‘Bihou’ resides in a nook in the upper section of the Scott Entrance Garden near the Cunningham House. This Japanese maple cultivar is small, but packs a colorful punch in the winter months with striking yellow bark. Each twig culminates in a small pair of fire-orange bud scales protecting the dormant leaves.

The bark color of ‘Bihou’ and an orange-yellow flowered witchhazel would make a striking plant combination. The witchazel would bloom when the bark of A.‘Bihou’ is most vibrant. In the Spring when the leaves of this Japanese maple emerge, they are bright chartreuse and by fall the leaves are yellow-orange making yet another strong statement.  Photo credit: J. Bickel

Quercus myrsinifolia

The Chinese evergreen oak Quercus myrsinifolia is truly an oddity in the oak genus. Other than the acorns they produce, there are few clues that would point the layman to the conclusion that this tree is a Quercus. The evergreen leaves are narrow and lance-shaped with finely-serrated edges while the bark is smooth and grey. This oak is native to Eastern Asia and found in full sun conditions.

Quercus myrsinifolia is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 30 feet. The species name purportedly comes from the leaves’ superficial resemblance to those of some species in the myrtle family Myrsinaceae. One large specimen can be found between the Wister Center and Cunningham House. Another smaller specimen can be found on the bank behind Willets residence hall near the cut flower garden behind the hoop house.

This specimen tree is a great garden plant with evergreen leaves and a clean appearance. Photo credit: J. Bickel

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Pinus flexilis ‘Cesarini Blue’

Close to the train tracks on the southern side of campus, tucked away in the Pinetum, is a young specimen of Pinus flexilis ‘Cesarini Blue’, the “limber pine.” It stands with a curving, loose form sprawling about ten feet wide with long, drooping needles. Sources indicate that the species hails from the Rocky Mountain region of the Western United States, reaching heights of sixty feet in the wild. The cultivar ‘Cesarini Blue’ boasts a true blue needle; in actuality the needles are glaucous blue with long white stripes. P. flexilis is a nice specimen to make a statement in a spot where it can stretch out expressing its graceful but somewhat gangly nature. photo credit: J. Bickel

Corylus fargesii

Among the many drab colors this time of year, the Farges’ Filbert Corylus fargesii is a welcome splash of peachy, salmon-brown and is rife with dangling, tawny catkins. A member of the birch family Betulaceae, the bark peels like river birch, yet has many more shades of tan. Generally considered a “medium” tree, C. fargesii can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet offering shade in the summer and strong garden interest in the winter. Originally from China, it is a strong ornamental with a wide tolerance of soil-site conditions for growing, even handling part shade and full sun situations. One, if not the only specimen of Corylus fargesii on Swarthmore College campus, is tucked in close to the North side of Mertz residence hall. photo credit: J. Bickel

Cornus elliptica ‘Elsbry’ [sold as Empress of China™]

An oddity in limited company among the dogwood family Cornaceae, C. elliptica is a medium-sized, broadleaf evergreen tree. Featuring small, waxy, nearly lanceolate leaves that can turn red in the winter, this tree flowers in early June and produces fruits that resemble those of Cornus kousa. Hardy to zone 6 and native to China, Cornus elliptica is “must have” for collectors of oddities and unique plants. Preferring shade conditions, a young, healthy specimen of this resides in the Camellia collection tucked away neatly on the west side of Bond Hall near Chester Road. photo credit: J. Bickel

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Cupressus nootkatensis ‘Pendula’

My sources are generally disparate and inconclusive when it comes to a reliable taxonomic designation for the Alaska-cedar. The North American west coast native conifer sometimes called Xanthocyparis nootkatensis and at other times referred to as Callitropsis nootkatensis is at least reliably placed in the true cypress family, Cupressaceae, as is evident by its scale-like leaves and shield-shaped umbo formations on their round cones. The final say in this dispute however, for my purposes, is granted to the American Conifer Society who label it as Cupressus nootkatensis. Sources seem to indicate the first wild specimen was discovered and identified in Nootka sound on Vancouver Island, hence the species name. The cultivar is an upright weeping form that, though erect, bears a weary look as the smaller branchlets hang limp. Specimens can be found on Willets Bank near the Wister Center. photo credit: J. Bickel

Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’

The glaucous-blue pendulous chandeliers of berries of Viburnum nudum, though shriveled, hold their striking color well into the cold season. A few small young specimens, expertly planted, backed by a cream-colored wall highlights the berries of these small shrubs near the Matchbox by contrasting in a very attractive way. The cultivar ‘Winterthur’, named in honor of the grand estate in Delaware, is a slightly compact version of the species. Missouri Botanic Garden’s Plant Finder indicates that the attractive berries are edible, though sour. photo credit: J. Bickel

Ulmus americana

The enormous Ulmus americana by the train tracks on the south side of campus has an amazing crown that is highlighted when the leaf canopy has fallen for the winter. The clear view reveals the wild sharp angles and turns of the branches. Also attractive is the deeply furrowed bark covering and accentuating very long, snake-like roots reminiscent of the great buttress roots of tropical mahogany. The American elm is a species under threat, as many people know, by infection of Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease passed along by bark beetles. Several very old and large specimens that are treated regularly with direct injections still stand on Swarthmore’s campus. photo credit: J. Bickel

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Clematis tibetana

The Scott Arboretum has a multitude of species and cultivated varieties of Clematis. One of which, the simple and elegant species Clematis tibetana, found growing on the Pearson Hall stair rail captured my attention.  The flower is pendulous with four, thick, green-yellow petals and bears a likeness in form and color to Ranunculus as well as others of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The leaves are ornately dissected, filigran, and glabrous blue-green. The vine is native to Nepal and China and hardy to zones 6-9 and definitely a delightful and delicate addition to a full-sun trellis. photo credit: R. Robert

Stachys byzantina ‘Helene von Stein’

Small mounds of velvety, soft foliage sit in contrast to the large, engraved, Swarthmore rock in the newly installed gravel garden at the small entrance roundabout. Stachys byzantina ‘Helene von Stein’, purportedly synonymous with the commonly seen cultivar ‘Big Ears’, is a selection with large leaves that are densely covered in silky trichomes, giving them a wooly look. Stachys byzantina is a middle east native mint relative of the family Lamiaceae. The cultivated selection boasts a better quality of foliage and a desirably diminished flowering habit.  photo credit: J. Bickel

Iris domestica

Once suggested to be an errant, temperate, member of the predominantly tropical orchid genus Vanilla, as well as many other erroneous designations, Iris domestica has undergone an astounding number of taxonomic changes. Recent studies in genetics have revealed that I. domestica is in fact much closer to other species in the genus Iris than its morphology and botanists seem to have suggested. Commonly called the blackberry lily due to its shiny black seeds that persist in the dehiscent seed pods, I. domestica is a Himalayan and Chinese native perennial with a bright orange flower flecked with red freckles. The flower stalks appear above flat fans of foliage in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden. photo credit: J. Bickel

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Boehmeria platanifolia

Out searching for oddities as I sometimes do, I came across an interesting ornamental relative of the common stinging nettle growing in the John W. Nason Garden. A member of the Urticaceae family, Boehmeria platanifolia  (false nettle) bears some morphological similarities to its nettle-kith, with a nearly decussate leaf arrangement and very fine downy, hair-covered leaves and stems (lacking the histamine-injecting, hypodermic-needle-like trichomes). The latin name suggests that it resembles the leaves of the plane tree, Platanus sp., though superficially. It seems much more jagged than any Platanus species I’ve ever seen. The genus is named for 18th century German botanist Georg Rudolf Boehmer.

It generally grows between four and five feet tall and produces white, tassel-like inflorescences in late summer. Boehmeria platanifolia is a nice, reliable, perennial oddity and perfect for a full-sun border. photo credit: J. Bickel

Firmiana simplex

On the south side of the John W. Nason garden, the Firmiana simplex (Chinese parasol tree) is fruiting. It produces chandeliers of green mussel-shell-like bracts that bear small spherical fruits curiously affixed to the margins.

It is currently in the mallow family Malvaceae and one can perhaps draw a similarity in the bract-and-sphere fruiting structure of Tilia sp., another mallow family relative. Sources indicate that the genus name honors Austrian Karl Josef von Firmian, governor of the present day Italian province Lombardy, once a part of the Austrian empire.

The wood has also reportedly been used for chinese instrument making, and the leaves used as a tobacco substitute. This tree makes a great addition as an accent piece with strong architectural fruiting bodies and an often lime- green bark, definitely a conversation piece! photo credit: J. Bickel

Eucommia ulmoides

I have walked by this tree many times without a second thought, as it stands inconspicuously on the south side of Trotter Hall north of the Dean Bond Rose Garden. It is, however, a very peculiar and noteworthy plant not only for being the only species in its own family, Eucommiaceae.

There are not many plants that require special classification in this way. Fossil records indicate a widespread and diverse number of now-extinct species that were once relatives of this stand-alone extant species (a similar history has been shown for Ginkgo biloba).

Eucommia ulmoides, hardy rubber tree, is a Chinese native that is sometimes grown for the latex produced in the bark, twigs, and leaves, which can be dried into a natural rubber. It is a very handsome tree with dark green leaves that bear a resemblance to those of species of Ulmus, inspiring the species name ulmoides.

This tree flies under the radar as a specimen but offers a rich canopy as well as stellar pest and disease resistance. Truly a steadfast and reliable oddity for the collector. photo credit: J. Bickel

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Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’

Though we are at the tail-end of peak time for magnolias, Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ is still looking fabulous, covered in large, pale-yellow flowers and smelling faintly musty-lemon-like. Reportedly a cross between the North American species Magnolia acuminata and the southeastern Chinese yulan Magnolia denudata, M. ‘Elizabeth’ is a medium-sized tree generally maxing out at 35’-40’. Each year in late April it produces an abundance of flowers that persist until early May. According to AW Smith’ Gardener’s Dictionary, the genus Magnolia is named for 17th century French Royal Botanist, Pierre Magnol. A specimen of M. ‘Elizabeth’ can be found still in bloom just off of a corner of the Worth Health Center. photo credit: R. Maurer

Tulipa ‘Tinka’

Every spring, after the Sporobolus in the water retention beds are burnt to clumps with torches, they are not much to look at. That is until the grasses begin to pop up and the myriad of small bulbs emerge and color the space. This year the Tulipa ‘Tinka’ looked especially nice dappled among the tiny tufts of newly emerging dropseeds. Each petal is a lucid shade of light yellow, the outer three with a blush of red-orange. My sources don’t make clear the direct parentage of this tulip, but T. ‘Tinka’ appears to share characteristics with the Middle Eastern Lady Tulip, Tulipa clusiana, in coloration and general habit. Relatively small in size, Tulipa ‘Tinka’ works great in masses and as accents for pops of bright color early in the season. T. ‘Tinka’ can be found alongside other interesting cultivars and hybrid tulips in the retention beds on the north side of campus near the Science Center. photo credit: J. Bickel

Asarum maximum ‘Shell Shocked’

Talk about a funky flower. I have never seen anything quite like the flowers on Asarum maximum ‘Shell Shocked’. The common name “panda face wild ginger” says it all describing the bizarre black and white textured inflorescence. Three-sided and edged with velvety black petals that shift to a textured white, the cup-like flower is thick and and durable with dots of burgundy in the center. These flowers grow beneath the foliage on the ground, probably to promote crawling insect pollination and seed dispersal. The leaves are large and thick, tortoise-shell patterned, lustrous deep green, and often hide the flowers. The cultivar A.‘Shell Shocked’ was selected for the light-colored veins in the leaves that accentuate the pattern. You can find this deep in the Harry Wood Garden close to the dead-end. photo credit: R. Robert

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Jeffersonia dubia

Different sources say different things about this tiny woodland perennial. Some botanists call it Jeffersonia named after Thomas Jefferson of the American Revolution and related to Jeffersonia diphylla the United States native perennial. Other sources indicate that the plant should be placed under an entirely different genus labeled as Plagiorhegma dubium.

Either way the plant is a beautiful, small, slow-growing specimen from the mountains of China. Known to be in the barberry family Berberidaceae, the two-winged leaves and delicate flowers emerge from underground lateral stems called rhizomes which are bright yellow when broken. Members of the genus Jeffersonia are sometimes called “rheumatism root” as the plant has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine.

A small specimen of this can be found in the Wister Garden on the edge of campus. Photo credit: J. Bickel

Anemone blanda

The Wister Garden is in full swing and the shadier portions are dotted with pops of light blue. Among the multitudes of spring ephemerals, the Grecian windflowers caught my attention this year, looking especially lavender-blue like small, delicate, blue-petal daisies.

A member of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, this flower emerges from small, knobbly tubers in early April, proudly showing its ring of light blue sepals (often mistaken for petals) above the feathery, dissected foliage.

A. blanda is a southeastern European native from regions in Greece, Turkey, and the Caucasus mountains. It happily makes itself at home in the shaded, dry, wooded hills of southeastern Pennsylvania. Photo credit: J. Bickel

Rhododendron ‘Mary Fleming’

‘Mary Fleming’ is a hybrid cultivar of evergreen Rhododendron that can be found blooming in full force at the top tier of the Wister Garden. Sources indicate that ‘Mary Fleming’ is a hybrid of Rhododendron racemosum (of the Yunnan/ Sichuan provinces in China) and Rhododendron keiskei (of Japanese origin).

This time of year, in Mid-April, it is covered from top to bottom in creamy flowers flushed with pink. A member of the family Ericaceae, this evergreen shrub loves well-drained, acidic soils.  Missouri Botanic Garden cites A.W. Smith saying that the name Rhododendron comes from the Greek translation of “Rose-Tree.” Photo credit: J. Bickel

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