Mazus

Mazus

Mazus japonicus
A low, dense, spreading, groundcover annual, reaching up to 3 inches x 3 feet, that is native from eastern Russia to Korea and Japan; south to India to Indonesia to Phillipines.
The leaves are up to 2.3 x 0.6 inches in size. The foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
The flowers, up to 0.5 inches long, are borne during late spring into early summer over a period lasting 1 1/2 months.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in partial shade.

Mazus pumilio
A rhizomatous, tufted, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 inches x 3.3 + feet, that is native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia.
The leaves are up to 3.2 inches in length.
The white or lilac snapdragon-like flowers are borne duirng summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in partial shade on moist soil.

Mazus radicans
A fast growing, creeping groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 inches x 2.5 feet, that is native to New Zealand. The stems are self-layering, rooting as they touch the ground.
The leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are luxuriant lime-green, turning to bronze-green during winter.
The white ( blotched with violet and with a yellow center ) flowers are borne during summer.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 in full sun to partial shade on moist soil.

Mazus reptans
A very vigorous, creeping, mat-forming, semi-evergreen, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 inches x 3 feet, that is native to the Himalayas. The stems self root as they spread and the plant can take heavy foot traffic.
It looks great between stepping stones or planted under large shrubs and Roses.
The toothed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 1 inch in length, are luxuriant glossy bright green. It is evergreen in zone 8.
The purplish-blue, tubular flowers, up to 0.7 inches across, are borne during late spring into early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade on moist, light, well drained soil.
Can be propagated from half hardened stem cuttings during summer and fall.

* photo taken on Apr 4 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 4 2011 in Howard Co, MD

* photos taken on May 8 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 19 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Alba'
White flowers, otherwise identical.

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on on Aug 23 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 8 2017 in Columbia, MD

Golden Chain Tree

Laburnum

A genus of only 2 species of trees, both native to Europe, that are part of the larger Legume family. Laburnums are poisinous, they DO NOT contain Entheogens and in fact may be fatal poisonous if consumed...do not eat any part of this plant.
That being said...a well grown Laburnum really is a beautiful landscape tree.
They prefer full sun to partial shade on consistently moist, well drained soil. Laburnums also prefer cool summers and especially do not like hot humid nights found in the south and southeastern U.S.. They also respond well to generous potassium fertilizer. Young trees should be pruned to a single leader and feathered ( side shoots shorten and spaced ) to create a strong scaffold. Lower branches should be gradually limbed up and suckers should be removed. Wounds do not heal well so it is best to do any corrective pruning while trees are young. Some trees seed heavily drawing energy away from growth. Deadheading after flowering, is recommended if improved vigor is desired. Young trees should be staked so they don't rock to death.
Laburnums do not enjoy root disturbance so it is best of plant while young. It is also important to purchase trees that are not rootbound since potbound trees are prone to girdling.
Trees are reproduced from seed which germinates quickly if soaked for a day in warm water before sowing.

* photos of unknown internet source




Laburnum alpinum ( Scotch Laburnum )
A small broadly spreading tree native to mountains of central and southern Europe. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; 20 years - 23 x 20 feet; largest on record - 53 x 33 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.2 feet; longest lived - 176 years.
The trifoliate leaves are composed of 3 pointed, elliptical leaflets, up to 4 x 1 inches. The foliage is smooth glossy deep green above, smooth light green beneath.
In autumn the foliage turns golden-yellow to bronze.
The pea-like bright golden-yellow flowers, up to 0.65 inches, are borne in drooping racemes, up to 18 inches in length, during early summer.
They are followed by a smooth shiny brown flattened pods, up to 3 inches in length. The seedpods contain poisonous brown seeds.
The dark gray bark is smooth on young trees, shallowly fissured on older trees.
Hardy zones
Hardy zone 3 to 7, use most northerly seed source in cold climates.

* historic archive photo

Laburnum vulgare ( Common Laburnum )
Also called Laburnum anagyroides. A small broadly spreading tree native to mountains of central and southern Europe. It thrives especially well in the British Isles though not native there. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet; 20 years - 36 x 20 feet; largest on record - 56 x 36 feet with a trunk diameter of 5.1 feet; longest lived - 413 years @ Leiden Botanic Garden, Netherlands.
The trifoliate leaves are composed of 3 blunt to round-tipped, oval leaflets, up to 4 x 1.5 ( rarely over 3 ) inches in size. The foliage is smooth dull to glossy deep green above, smooth light green beneath.
In autumn the foliage turns golden-yellow to bronze.
The pea-like bright golden-yellow flowers, up to 1 inch, are borne in drooping racemes, up to 10 inches in length, during late spring.
They are followed by a smooth brown pod, up to 3 inches in length. The seedpods contain poisonous black seeds. The pods often persist through the winter.
The dark gray bark is smooth on young trees, shallowly fissured on older trees.
Hardy zones
Hardy zone 3 to 8. Unlike Laburnum alpinum, this one has actually been known to grow in south Florida.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

* historic archive photo

'Autumnale'
Blooms again in fall.

'Pendulum'
Slender branches are drooping in habit.

Laburnum x watereri ( Waterer Laburnum )
The hybrid between Laburnum alpinum & L. vulgare; forming a small broadly spreading tree. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; 5 years - 13 x 5 feet; 20 years - 24 x 20 feet; largest on record - 36 x 36 feet. Rare in the U.S.; it is known to grow in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building.
The trifoliate leaves are composed of 3 pointed, elliptical leaflets, up to 3 x 1 inches. The foliage is smooth glossy deep green above, hairy then later turning light green beneath. In autumn the foliage turns golden-yellow to bronze.
The pea-like bright golden-yellow flowers, up to 1 inch, are borne in dense hanging racemes, up to 12 inches in length, during late spring.
They are followed by a smooth brown pod, up to 3 inches in length. The seedpods contain poisonous brown seeds.
The bark is olive and smooth on young trees, dark gray and shallowly fissured on older trees.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photos taken on May 18 2013 in Howard Co., MD

'Vossii'
Exceptional long flower racemes, up to 24 inches in length. Flowering is also more profuse. The seeds are sparse making for another plus.

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

Prairie Mallow

Sidalcea

A genus of highly underrated landscape perennials, native to North America.
The tender leaves can be cooked as a pot herb or eaten raw.
Most species prefer full sun on just about any well drained soil.

* photos of unknown internet source


Sidalcea candida
A rhizome-spreading perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 feet x 20 inches, that is native to the southwestern U.S. ( from Nevada to Utah to Wyoming; south to southern New Mexico ).
The 7-lobed, rounded leaves, up to 8 inches across, are glossy green.
The white flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne on dense spikes during early summer, sometimes repeating into early autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, acidic, well drained soil.

Sidalcea hendersonii ( Henderson's Checkerbloom )
A perennial, reaching up to 5.5 feet, that is native from Juneau, Alaska to coastal southern Oregon.
The deeply 7 lobed, rounded leaves are glossy mid-green.
The bright rosy-pink flowers are borne on long upright panicles.

Sidalcea x hybrida
The flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne early to mid summer. The erect flower spikes resemble that of the Hollyhocks. The will often rebloom if the first flush of flower spikes are removed as the flowers fade.
The deeply-toothed leaves form a basal clump. The foliage is mid-green.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, acidic, well drained soil. Prefers climates where summers are not excessively hot and good winter drainage is a must. It can tolerate harsh climates including that of Calgary, Alberta if planted on a protected site.
Cut plants down to 1 foot in height quickly after blooming ends. Propagation is usually done by sowing seed upon ripening which germinates easily. Older clumps can be divided during early spring or early autumn. Clumps are generally more vigorous if divided every 3 years.

'Brilliant'
Reaches a maximum size of 2.5 x 2.5 feet, with deep rose-pink flowers borne on spikes during mid to late summer.

'Croftway Red'
Red flowers.

'Elsie Heugh'
Reaches a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, with fringed, pale pink flowers borne on an erect stalk.

'Loveliness'
Reaches up to 2.5 feet, with pale pink flowers

'Mr. Lindburgh'
Reaches a maximum size of 4 x 3.5 feet, with rose-red flowers borne on spikes during mid to late summer.

'Partygirl'
Reaches a maximum size of 3.5 x 3.5 feet, with very abundant, deep rose-red flowers borne on spikes during mid summer to early autumn.

'Rosanna'
Reaches a maximum size of 4 x 3.5 feet, with very abundant, rosy-red flowers borne on spikes during mid summer to early autumn.

'Rose Queen'
Reaches a maximum height of 4 feet, with rose-pink flowers.

'Stark's Variety'
Reaches a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 feet, with rosy-red flowers borne on spikes all summer long.

Sidalcea malviflora ( Checkerbloom )
An erect stemmed, clumping perennial, reaching up to 3.3 x 3 feet, that is native from southwest British Columbia to the Baja Peninsula.
The shallowly-toothed, 7 or 9 lobed leaves are up to 2 inches in length. The foliage turns to yellow during autumn.
The pink to lavender flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne spring through fall.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun to partial shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil.

Sidalcea neomexicana ( Salt Spring Checkerbloom )
A perennial, reaching up to 4.5 feet, that is native form eastern Oregon to western Nebraska; south to southern California to New Mexico.

* photo taken by Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Young @ USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora

Sidalcea oregana ( Oregon Checkerbloom )
A perennial, reaching up to 6 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to the western U.S. ( from Kamloops, British Columbia to Castlegar, B.C. to Idaho; south to northern California to northern Utah ).
The leaves are deeply lobed on the upper stems, more shallowly lobed on the lower stem.
The flowers, borne during summer on upright spikes, are in varying shades of pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil. It can be propagated either by seed or division.

* photo taken by William & Wilma Follette @ USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora

Giant Reed

Arundo donax
Also called Carrizo. A massive grass, reaching up to 20 ( records is 33 ) x 7 + feet, that is native to North America ( California to southrn Illinois to Maryland and south ). The stout stalks can reach up to 1.2 inches in diameter. A bit large and coarse for the average landscape but can make an excellent fast growing and seasonal screen, esp. in industrial parks. It even somewhat resembles Bamboo in appearance. It spreads from woody underground rhizomes and may become invasive on some sites, but planting in large containers will prevent this.
The blue-green leaves, up to 24 x 3 inches, are borne on corn-like stalks and are evergreen in the Deep South.
The flower plumes, up to 2 feet in length, appear during late summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 ( 5b on protected sites with deep mulch ) in full sun on fertile, moist to wet soil. It can both tolerate temporary drought roots up to 3.3 feet deep ) as well as occasional flooding. It is also very heat tolerant.
Propagation is easy from seed or by dividing the clump while dormant.
In dry areas it may be a fire hazard if dead plant material is allowed to persist.
Deer resistant.

* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA

* photos taken on Aug 25 2012 in Baltimore Co., MD

* photo taken on Sep 6 2012 in Harford Co., MD

* photo taken by Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora

* photo taken on Aug 24 2018 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* historical archive photo

'Golden Chain' ( Golden Giant Reed )
Smaller and much less invasive spreading, only reaching up to 12 x 5 ( rarely over 7 ) feet in height, with mid-green leaves variegated with a bold golden-yellow edge.
Looks great with deep blue flowering plants.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( mulch in zone 5 & 6 during winter ).

* photos taken on Sep 3 2017 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photo taken on Aug 14 2024 @ Coventry Gardens, Windsor, ON

'Macrophylla'
Broader blue-green leaves.

'Peppermint Stick'
Fast growing but less invasive, reaching up to 12 x 8 feet with luxuriant foliage that is widely striped green and white.
The foliage retains its color as summer progresses.
The bronze flower plumes appear during autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 5 2022 @ Jackson Park, Windsor, ON

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Variegata' ( Striped Giant Reed )
Similar except for growing only 2/3 the height with foliage that is boldly variegated with creamy-yellow stripes. An excellent architectural background plant for larger gardens. Looks great next to water.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

* photos of unknown internet source


* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on July 2016 in Windsor, Ontario

* historical archive photo