Pittosporum tenuifolium - Kohuhu

Pittosporum tenuifolium - Kohuhu

Location: South Norwood/London. P. tenuifolium is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. It can grow up to heights of 4-8 meters. It is growing in sandy soils that isn't moist enough for it's preferences also it needs a much more sunny location to excel in. Despite these negatives it is growing healthily for now.

The only way to recognise the plant species all year round is by its shiny evergreen leaves, they are rounded with distinctive wavy margins.

In the spring it will produce clusters of small dark purple flowers.

Flower buds that are ready to bloom in Spring.

Helleborus orientalis - Hellebore

Helleborus orientalis - Hellebore

Hellebore, otherwise know as Christmas rose is a herbaceous perennial that blooms in late winter. This specimen is located in Longford Park, Manchester growing in drained soil next to a dryopteris filix-mas. It suffers from cold harsh winds in the winter and protection is what the fagus sylvatica hedge gave that can be seen in the background. Helleborus prefers to grow in full shade or partial shade however this specimen is exposed to sunlight.

H. orientalis is an evergreen herbaceous perennial. It's leaves come in many shapes and sizes here we can see a few growing in a cluster of serrated ovulate leaves.

Lower down the stent the leaves are palmate and lobed.

At the base of the plant the leaves are palmate dark green and at their largest.



The flower is usually cup shaped and downward pointing, it is made up of five petals that are often found with inside spotting. At the centre is a crown of yellow stamens.

Helleborus can be found in a variety of colours from white to pink to purple.