Understand the effective use of soft landscaping elements (1)

Question 1

Name 5 evergreen and 5 deciduous trees (large shrubs), suitable for planting in a domestic garden.

State details of their: decorative merits / height and spread / site requirements / describe a situation where each could be used effectively.

Answer 1

Evergreen Deciduous

1. Luma apiculata 1. Malus ‘Golden Hornet’
2. Arbutus undedo 2. Amelanchier lamarckii
3. Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphofila 3. Crataegus mongyna
4. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 4. Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’
5. Ilex aquifolium ‘Madam Briot’ 5. Betula utilis subsp. Jacqemontii ‘Moonbeam’

Question 2

Answer 2

Luma apiculata

Decorative Merits: Cinnamon-and cream coloured bark / small, broadly ovate and aromatic flowers / 4- or 5 petalled, bowl-shaped flowers (summer autumn).

Height and spread: 8-12m / >8m

Site requirements: well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any soil / any exposure

Situation: Effective as a mediterranean climate plant / could be grown in a container in a small space

Question 3

Answer 3

Arbutus unedo

Decorative Merits: Rough, shredding red-brown bark / Mid-green leathery leaves / panicles of bell-shaped white flowers followed by strawberry-like red fruits (autumn).

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Well-drained / full sun / not clay soil / sheltered

Situation: Good for wildlife / low maintenance / cottage garden (informal)

Question 4

Answer 4

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. ‘Niphofila’

Decorative merit: Bark flakes into patches of cream, grey, green / narrow grey-green leathery leaves / Clusters of white to cream flowers ( late spring, summer)

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun / sheltered

Situation: Architectural / cottage and informal / low maintenance

Question 5

Answer 5

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Decorative Merits: Glossy, simple, elliptic leaves which are bright red when young and turn dark green later / sparse panicles of creamy-white flowers (spring) followed by red berries

Height and spread: 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m

Site requirements: Moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure / not clay

Situation: Low maintenance / hedging and screens

Question 6

Answer 6

Ilex aquifolium ‘Madam Briot’

Decorative merits: Spiny, broadly ovate leaves with a bold golden-yellow margin / bright red berries (autumn)

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Hedging and screens / winter interest / pollinators

Question 7

Answer 7

Malus ‘Golden Hornet’

Decorative merits: Broad ovoid crown / white flowers (spring) followed by profuse crop of bright, deep yellow fruits (autumn) 2.5cm, continuing to winter.

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Architectural / cottage and informal garden / patio and container

Question 8

Answer 8

Amelanchier lamarckii

Decorative merits: Bronze-tinged young leaves turn orange and red in autumn / Short lax racemes of white flowers (spring) as the leaves unfurl / red-dark purple-black berries loved by birds.

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: not clay / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Question 9

Answer 9

Crataegus monogyna

Decorative merits: Spiny branches / glossy, deeply lobed leaves / flat sprays of cream white flowers (spring) /dark red berries (autumn)

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Wildlife garden / hedging and screens / cottage and informal garden

Question 10

Answer 10

Sorbus commixta ‘Embly’

Decorative merits: Pinnate leaves composed of up to 17 lance-shaped, finely pointed leaflets turning bright red and orange in autumn / flat clusters of small creamy-white flowers (spring) / red berries (autumn

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Not chalk / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Wildlife garden / low maintenance

Question 11

Answer 11

Betula utilis subsp. jacqemontii ‘Moonbeam’

Decorative merits: Brilliant white, peeling bark on trunk and larger branches / ovate leaves turn yellow in autumn / yellow-brown male catkins to 12cm open in early spring

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Winter interest / cottage and informal garden / architectural

Question 12

Name 5 evergreen and 5 deciduous plant species, suitable for hedging or screening (including formal or informal use)

State details of their decorative merits, height and spread and site requirement; describe a situation where each could be used effectively

Answer 12

Evergreen Deciduous

1. Taxus baccata (f) 1. Fagus sylvatica (f)
2. Buxus sempervirens (f) 2. Carpinus betulus (f)
3. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ (if) 3. Crataegus mongyna (if)
4. Ilex aquifolium ‘Madam Briot’ (f) 4. Syringa vulgaris (if)
5. Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’ (if) 5. Viburnum opulus (if)

Question 13

Answer 13

Taxus baccata

Decorative merits: Formal / narrow, leathery, very dark green, linear leaves arranged in two rows on the shoots / insignificant flowers (spring) on female plants / fleshy red fruits (autumn)

Height and spread: >12m / >8m

Site requirements: Any soil / well-drained / full sun to full shade / any exposure

Situation: Hedging in a formal garden / low maintenance

Question 14

Answer 14

Buxus sempervirens

Decorative merits: Formal / Glossy, simple, leathery, small leaves which are opposite to each other / small yellow-ish, clusters of flowers (spring) produced in the leaf axils.

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / partial shade, full sun / any exposure

Situation: Hedging in a formal garden / patio and container plants / city and courtyard gardens

Question 15

Answer 15

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Decorative Merits: Informal / Glossy, simple, elliptic leaves which are bright red when young and turn dark green later / sparse panicles of creamy-white flowers (spring) followed by red berries

Height and spread: 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m

Site requirements: Moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure / not clay

Situation: Low maintenance / hedging and screens

Question 16

Answer 16

Ilex aquifolium ‘Madam Briot’

Decorative merits: Formal / Spiny, broadly ovate leaves with a bold golden-yellow margin / bright red berries (autumn)

Height and spread: 8-12m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Hedging and screens (security (spiny)) / winter interest / pollinators

Question 17

Answer 17

Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’

Decorative merits: Informal / Spiny / Narrow, simply, glossy leaves / Sprays of white flowers (late spring and early summer) / bright orange berries (autumn)

Height and spread: 1.5-2.5m /1.5-2.5m

Site requirements: Any soil / full sun, partial shade / moist but well-drained / any exposure

Situation: Security hedging (spiny) / low maintnenance / wall side borders

Question 18

Answer 18

Fagus sylvatica

Decorative merits: Formal / Broadly elliptic leaves which are yellow-green in spring, rich russett-brown in autumn / small green flowers (spring) bristly fruits (autumn)

Height and spread: >12m / >8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Hedging in a formal garden / low maintenance

Question 19

Answer 19

Betulus carpinus

Decorative merits: Formal / conspicuously ribbed, ovate leaves / Catkins open in spring followed by hop-like fruiting catkins

Height and spread: >12m / >8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Formal hedging / useful in woodland setting

Question 20

Answer 20

Crataegus monogyna

Decorative merits: Spiny branches / glossy, deeply lobed leaves / flat sprays of cream white flowers (spring) /dark red berries (autumn)

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Situation: Wildlife garden / hedging and screens / cottage and informal garden

Question 21

Answer 21

Syringa vulgaris

Decorative merits: Informal / mid-green, heart-shaped leaves / Compact panicles of fragrant, lavender-purple 4-lobed tubular flowers (spring and summer) which fade to lilac-pink

Height and spread: 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m

Site requirements: Any soil / not acid / moist but well-drained / full sun / any exposure

Situation: Low maintenance / hedging and screening in informal garden

Question 22

Answer 22

Viburnum opulus

Decorative merits: Maple-like, palmately lobed leaves which turn pink or red in autumn / flat clusters of small white flowers surrounded by large sterile flowers / followed by translucent red berries

Height and spread: 4-8m / 2.5-4m

Site requirements: Any soil / moist but well drained soil / full shade to full sun / any exposure

Situation: suitanle for a shrub border or woodland garden / as part of a wildlife rich hedge / low maintenance

Question 23

Name 10 deciduous and 10 evergreen shrubs suitable for planting in a variety of garden situations

State details of their decorative merits, height and spread and site requirements; describe a situation where each could be used effectively

Answer 23

Evergreen Deciduous

1. Arbutus unedo 1. Buddleja davidii
2. Salvia rosmarinus 2. Hamamelis mollis
3. Mahonia aquifolium 3. Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
4. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin 4. Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’
5. Buxus sempervirens 5. Rhus typhina
6. Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’ 6. Amelanchier lamarckii
7. Fatsia japonica 7. Euonymus alatus
8. Camellia japonica 8. Cercis canadensis “Forest Pansy”
9. Hebe ‘Pink Elephant’ 9. Hydrangea paniculata
10. Pittisporum tenuifolium 10. Viburnum opulus

Question 24

Answer 24

Arbutus unedo

Decorative Merits: Rough, shredding red-brown bark / Mid-green leathery leaves / panicles of bell-shaped white flowers followed by strawberry-like red fruits (autumn).

Height and spread: 4-8m / 4-8m

Site requirements: Well-drained / full sun / not clay soil / sheltered

Situation: Good for wildlife / low maintenance / cottage garden (informal)

Question 25

Answer 25

**Salvia rosmarinus** **Decorative merits:** Linear, aromatic dark green leaves, recurved margins, pale felty undersides / Pale violet-blue and white 2-lipped flowers (spring) in whorls **Height and spread:** 1.5-2.5m / 1.5-2.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun / any exposure **Situation:** Can be used as a formal or informal low hedge / rock garden / containers / mediterranean

Question 26

Answer 26

**Mahonia aquifolium** **Decorative methods:** Glossy green, slightly prickly, leathery, pinnate leaves that become purplish in winter / Large, clustered racemes of yellow flowers (spring) / black berries (autumn) **Height and spread:** 0.5-1m / 1-1.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / full shade, partial shade / any exposure **Situations:** Wildlife gardens / Banks and slopes / Low maintenance

Question 27

Answer 27

**Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’** **Decorative Merits:** Informal / Glossy, simple, elliptic leaves which are bright red when young and turn dark green later / sparse panicles of creamy-white flowers (spring) followed by red berries **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m **Site requirements:** Moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure / not clay **Situation:** Low maintenance / hedging and screens

Question 28

Answer 28

**Buxus sempervirens** **Decorative merits:** Formal / Glossy, simple, leathery, small leaves which are opposite to each other / small yellow-ish, clusters of flowers (spring) produced in the leaf axils. **Height and spread:** 4-8m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / partial shade, full sun / any exposure **Situation:** Hedging in a formal garden / patio and container plants / city and courtyard gardens

Question 29

Answer 29

**Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’** **Decorative merits:** Informal / Spiny / Narrow, simply, glossy leaves / Sprays of white flowers (late spring and early summer) / bright orange berries (autumn) **Height and spread:** 1.5-2.5m /1.5-2.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / full sun, partial shade / moist but well-drained / any exposure **Situation:** Security hedging (spiny) / low maintnenance / wall side borders

Question 30

Answer 30

**Camellia japonica** **Decorative merits:** Oval to ovate, deep, simply glossy green leaves / solitary white or pink flowers (spring) borne at the end of branchlets **Height and spread:** 8-12m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** not chalk / acid loving / moist but well-drained / full shade, partial shade /sheltered **Situation:** Cottage and informal garden / mixed shrub border / containers

Question 31

Answer 31

**Fatsia japonica** **Decorative merits:** Large, leathery, palmately-lobed leaves to 45cm width / small white flowers (autumn) in globose clusters / fruits, small and black (autumn) **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well drained / full shade to full sun / sheltered **Situation:** Architectural / cottage and informal / low maintenance / jungle vibe

Question 32

Answer 32

**Hebe ‘Pink Elephant’** **Decorative merits:** Closely spaced grey-green leaves / new growth is shaded with pink and cream, esp. in winter / short spikes of white flowers in early summer **Height and spread:** 0.1-0.5m / 0.1-0.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / not acid / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / sheltered **Situation:** good for city and courtyard gardens as tolerant of some pollution / container / coastal / cottage

Question 33

Answer 33

**Pittisporum tenuifolium** **Decorative merits:** Simple, rounded, glossy light green leaves with wavy margins / clusters of small honey-scented deep purple 5-petalled flowers (spring and summer) / followed by spherical woody fruits, splitting to reveal seeds embedded in sticky pulp **Height and spread:** 4-8m / 2.5-4m **Site requirements:** Not sand / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / exposed **Situation:** coastal / cottage / wall sider borders / city

Question 34

Answer 34

**Buddleja davidii** **Decorative merits:** Lance-shaped, simple, pointed, green or grey-green leaves / dense sprays 30cm or more long of small, tubular fragrant flowers (summer and autumn) in various shades of purple **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** Great plant for pollinators esp. butterflies / wall side borders / city and courtyard garden

Question 35

Answer 35

**Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’** **Decorative merits:** Suckering / thicket of slender reed stems becoming bright crimson in winter / ovate leaves turn red in autumn / flat heads of small, cremas flowers (spring) bluish-white berries (autumn) **Height and spread:** 1.5-2.5m / 1.5-2.5m **Site requirements:** not chalk / not alkaline / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** good for winter interest / cottage / low maintenance / borders

Question 36

Answer 36

**Hamamelis mollis** **Decorative merits:** Broad, oval leaves turning yellow in winter / strongly fragrant, bright golden-yellow flowers (winter) with 4 narrow petals on leafless branches in later winter **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 2.5-4m **Site requirements:** not chalk / not alkaine / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / sheltered

Question 37

Answer 37

**Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’** **Decorative merits:** Simple, opposite leaves which are lanceolate and purplish when young, turning rosy-pink in autumn / small, lilac flowers (summer) in axillary clusters / compact clusters of 4mm violet-purple berries (autumn) **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 1.5-2.5m **Site requirements: (**Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** Cottage / low maintenance / autumn interest / cut flowers

Question 38

Answer 38

**Rhus typhina** **Decorative merits:** Red hairy stems have large pinnate leaves that turn red and orange in autumn / yellow-green flower clusters (summer) / followed by dense crimson fruiting heads (autumn) **Height and spread:** 4-8m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun / any exposure **Situation:** Good for autumn interest / low maintenace / cottage and informal

Question 39

Answer 39

**Amelanchier lamarckii** **Decorative merits:** Bronze-tinged young leaves turn orange and red in autumn / Short lax racemes of white flowers (spring) as the leaves unfurl / red-dark purple-black berries loved by birds. **Height and spread:** 8-12m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** not clay / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure

Question 40

Answer 40

**Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’** **Decorative merits:** Broadly heart-shaped leaves, deep red-purple turning shades of orange, bronze and red-purple in autumn / Clusters of small, bright-pink flowers (spring) appear on bare stems before the leaves in spring **Height and spread:** 4-8m / 4-8m **Site requirements:** Any soil / well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** city and courtyard / cottage / flower borders and beds

Question 41

Answer 41

**Hydrangea paniculata** **Decorative merits:** Toothed, mid to dark green leaves in opposite pairs or clusters of 3 / Large conical panicles of flowers (late summer and early autumn, made of showy pinkish-white sterile flowers scattered amongst the smaller creamy-white fertile flowers **Height and spread:** 2.5-4m / 1.5-2.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** cottage / city / mixed shrub borders

Question 42

Answer 42

**Euonymus alatus** **Decorative merits:** Branchlets often develop conspicuous corky wings / oval leaves turn rosy-crimson in autumn / small green-ish flowers (spring) precede purplish-red fruits (autumn) that split to reveal orange seeds **Height and spread:** 1.5-2.5m / 1.5-2.5m **Site requirements:** Any soil / moist but well-drained / full sun, partial shade / any exposure **Situation:** good for autumn interest / low interest