Deciduous Tree I.D.

Provided information:

1. Photos:

2. Date: December
3. Location: Oregon
4. Plant type: woody deciduous shrub, or small tree
5. Environment: home garden
6. Exposure: filtered shade
7. Scent: none
8. Other: opposite branching

Identification:

1. Name: Acer palmatum dissectum (cutleaf Japanese maple)
2. Family: Aceraceae
3. Origin: Japan
4. Random Facts: Every name has a meaning. 'Palmatum' refers to the palmately lobed leaves and 'dissectum' refers to them being finely cut and dissected.

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photos:
2. Date: December
3. Location: Corvallis, Oregon
4. Plant Type: Evergreen woody shrub
5. Environment: commercial landscape
6. Exposure: shade
7. Scent: none
8. Other: thick glossy leaves, bright red buds, opposite branching, evergreen

Identification:

1. Name: Viburnum davidii (David viburnum)
2. Family: Caprifoliaceae
3. Origin: China
4. Random Facts: This plant is known for its showy metallic blue berries in the summer. Though this plant is not truly dioecious (having separate male and female plants), it is common for them to be referred to as 'male' and 'female' plants depending on the fruit set of an individual plant. Some clones inherently produce fruit more abundantly ('female') while others must be cross pollinated ('male'), and therefore are less likely to fruit on their own or when surrounded by a similar grouping of viburnums. When selecting plants be sure you can see clear signs of fruiting or buy one that is designated as a 'female' clone.

Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant:

Name: Calycarpus japonica (Japanese beauty berry)

1. Plant type: Deciduous woody shrub
2. Exposure: Full sun or filtered shade
3. Branching pattern: Opposite
4. Habit: Upright and open plant habit with an average height and spread of 4-6 ft, though it can grow taller.
5. Foliage: Medium texture, summer green turning yellow in the fall
6. Flowers: small white flowers with long stamens
7. Fruit: Tight clusters of metallic purple berries that persist through the winter months. 'Leucocarpa' is a white fruiting variety.
8. Similar species: Callicarpa bodinieri, Callicarpa dichotoma
9. Other: The metallic purple berries appear on bare branches, making them a stunning winter accent. Plant them in groupings or locate a single specimen near a backdrop of green to make a bigger impact in the landscape. It is best not to hide this shrub in the back of a planting, as the details are better appreciated at a closer distance. The late summer flowers are somewhat insignificant compared to the subsequent fruit display, but the foliage turns a nice golden yellow, providing additional seasonal interest.