Eastwoodhill Arboretum

 

The tree of the week (April 16 - 20, 2012) is Nyssa sylvatica (common name black Tupelo, sour gum). This elegant tree, growing to around 21 metres tall, is one of the most decorative and useful of all deciduous plants as it flourishes in swampy conditions. The coloured autumn leaves are dark or yellowish green then turn brilliant red, often with shades of orange and yellow.

 

 

The tree of the week (March 19 - 23, 2012) is the Acer saccharum ssp. Nigrum (black maple). It's on the left of the driveway entry, just before the second cattle-stop into the main carpark, and is always one of the highlights of autumn.

 

 

 

My tree for the week (March 5 - 9, 2012) was discovered by chirpy little Marg Savage - Tristaniopsis laurina, commonly known as the Water Gum (Kanuka). The genus contains several species indigenous to the high rainfall, coastal forests of Australia and others from Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. It is evergreen with clusters of small deep yellow flowers and is rich nectar - the bees are all over it. It is located on the yellow walk just opposite the tractor sheds.

 

 

 

My little pick for the week (Feb 20 - 24, 2012) has to be the Liriope. This genus contains five species of clump forming rhizomatous, evergreen perennials native to Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan. Some cultivars are so dark in leaf they are practically black - a most unusual colour for the designer to play with. Liriope flowers range from white through to deep purple, I particularly love this perennial as it is a great weed suppressant and grows in full sun or part shade.

 

 

 

The tree of the week (Feb 6 - 10, 2012) is the 30 metre Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’ located by the daffodil patch just off the blue walk.

 

The plant of the week (Jan 23 - 27, 2012) is Clethra alnifolia, commonly known as the sweet pepperbush. Located by the Williams Memorial, it has sprays of fragrant white flowers and is one of the few temperate North American species.

The tree of the week (Jan 16 - Jan 20, 2012) is the flowering Crinodendron patagua (commonly known as the Chilean lantern tree or lily of the valley) in the Homestead Garden. Originally from Chile, the tree is tolerant to drier conditions and has white flowers that hang like little lanterns.

The tree of the week (Jan 9 - 13, 2012) is the Tilia cordata (Linden or Lime tree) which can grow up to 100ft (30m) tall. Its flowers are pale yellow and sweetly scented and the soft whitish timber can be used for wood carving and musical instruments. Tilia X euchlora flowers are said to have a narcotic effect on bees. This tree is located on the circus walk not far from Sherratt’s pond. We have just over 60 Tilia in the arboretum.

The plant of the week (Jan 9 - 13, 2012) is the Cardiocrinum giganteum (Giant Lily) - a summer flowering plant reaching up to 3.5m with a tall sturdy stem. It bears up to 20 trumpet-shaped flowers which are 25cm long and cream, striped with maroon. The plant is heavily scented and not for the gardener who needs to see overnight results - a small bulb planted today is unlikely to flower in less than three to four years. It is located on the purple leaf track (Burma track) near the Visitor Centre.

The tree of the week (Dec 19 - 23, 2011) is the Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark tree) which can be seen from the lower lawn of the Homestead Garden. Originally from Chile and Peru, the tree has thick, rough and dark bark, which contains a substance called saponin that acts like soap. It also has greenish-white, five petalled flowers and capsular fruit shaped like stars.

 

The shrub of the week (Nov 21 - 25, 2011) is the Carpenteria californica. It tolerates dry conditions, is native to Fresna, and belongs to the same family as the mock orange or Philadelpus, located in the Homestead garden by the delphiniums which are almost bursting into flower.

 

    

 

The plant of the week (Nov 14 - 18, 2011) is the Greyia kei on the top Homestead lawn. The orange flowers attract tuis & bellbirds. South African Xhosa people place roots of kei bottlebrush on either side of the cattle enclosures. This is thought to ward off sickness and stop animals being taken. Could be a good thing for the pasture farmers on the flats! 

 

 

 

The tree of the week (Nov 14 - 18, 2011) is Lonicera maackii which is located on the bottom lawn by Kate White’s seat. Bees are loving the highly scented flowers and as I stood on my tippy toes to smell the flowers a couple got caught in my hair. Luckily I wasn’t stung on the nose! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plant of the week (Oct 24 - 28, 2011) is the Davidia involucrata (Dove tree) which is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It is native to Central and Southwest China and best known for its flowers which form a tight cluster about 1–2 cm across. Each flower head has a pair of large pure white bracts (12–25 cm) at the base performing the function of petals. On a breezy day, the bracts flutter in the wind like white doves or pinched handkerchiefs, hence the English names for this tree.