Plants of the Week: November 10

Hamamelis ‘Fire Blaze’, thought to be a cross between Hamamelis x intermedia and H. virginiana, features warm orange flowers with a red center. The deciduous shrub pulls double duty in the garden: scented flowers in late winter and bright fall color. When choosing from the multitude of witch hazel cultivars, consider flower scent and leaf retention, a trait certain varieties possess whereby the shrub holds onto desiccated leaves during the winter months, along with obvious considerations like blossom color and mature size. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Across from the front entrance to Martin Biology.

The perfectly vertical spire of Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ may not be to everyone’s liking but you’d be hard pressed to find a more upright tree for the landscape. Mature trees reach upwards of 50’ in height and spread only 3 – 6’! Other attributes include vibrant fall color and minimal fruit drop. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Between Old Tarble and McCabe Library

“Look at those crazy snowdrops. I wonder what’s wrong with ‘em?” is but one of the statements I’ve overheard regarding the fall blooms of Galanthus reginae-olgae. This particular variety is blooming exactly as Mother Nature intended, beginning in mid- to late October and continuing through November. The bulbs flower absent of leaves, which appear in spring. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Garden location: Terry Shane Teaching Garden