Plants of the Week: April 8

Magnolia denudata ‘Swarthmore Sentinel’ stands a glowing harbinger of spring. The Yulan magnolia clone was selected and introduced for its distinctly upright habit. The large ivory-white flowers were touched by frost this week, but still look striking.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden Location: Ben West parking lot against Bond Hall

Sky blue Chionodoxa luciliae freely naturalizes among magnolias around Mertz Hall. The bulb, also known as glory of the snow, typically blooms in late March or early April after snowdrops. Consider adding to a gravel garden or planting in sweeping masses in the woodland or along shady banks. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Magnolia collection near Worth Health Center and Mertz Hall

Prunus mume ‘Josephine’ has been particularly floriferous this spring. Camellia Forest Nursery states that ‘Josephine’ has been one of the strongest cultivars in field trials for withstanding harsh conditions. The selection was developed by Tom Krenitsky and bears pale pink flowers. Mature plants ultimately reach 25’ x 25’. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Cherry Border near Swarthmore College Entrance rock

A specimen of Japanese spicebush, Lindera obtusiloba, in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden was recently given a rejuvenative pruning. Clusters of yellow, star-shaped flowers appear on bare branches of the previous seasons’ wood. While not overly showy, the flowers bear a distinct spicy smell characteristic of the genus. The understory dweller develops into a broad-spreading multi-stemmed shrub reaching 10 – 12’ in height with a spread easily double that in width. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Terry Shane Teaching Garden