Four Early Summer Plants

 

 

Four Early Summer Plants

 



Rhododendron insigne

The early Rhododendrons and Azaleas may have finished flowering but there is still plenty to see in the Garden.



The pretty pink and white stripped Rhododendron insigne is one of several flowering at the moment.  The leathery leaves have a silvery metallic underside which makes it very distinctive.  An Ernest Wilson introduction in 1908.

Crinodendron hookerianum

Crindodendron hookerianum, the Lantern Tree also known as Tricuspidaria is a Chilean plant introduced by William Lobb in 1848.  It is an evergreen shrub and thrives best in the South of England and the West Coast of Scotland.  It is well established here at High Beeches and is now in full flower attracting
hundreds of bees. There is a pink form called Ada Hoffman.

Styrax hemsleyanus

Another plant attracting the bees at the moment is Styrax hemsleyanus, the Chinese Snowbell Tree,  also a Wilson introduction from China.  A very attractive small tree with racemes of white bells in early summer.

Magnolia hypoleuca

There are a number of Magnolias flowering at the moment including Magnolia hypoleuca sometimes known as obovata.  A handsome tree with large leaves and strongly scented flowers.  It is a native of Japan and was first introduced in about 1820.