Euonymus fortunei - Emerald surprise

Euonymus fortunei - Emerald surprise

Located in Chorlton, Manchester along Longford road. E. fortunei is a medium, evergreen, bushy shrub that is yellow as well as green all year round, it's because of these characteristics that make it an excellent hedge plant for buffering the hard edges of boundaries. It is a common sight in suburban areas.

The leaves grow opposite each other on the stems, they are ovulate, rather fleshy and have serrated edges. Pink highlights appear in the winter.

The leaf buds come out bright green with pointed tips.

Located growing right next to its yellow relative is E. fortunei 'silver queen' as you can see more distinctively here they also have pink highlights that appear in the winter.

Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese spurge

Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese spurge

Location: Dunham Massey National Trust/Manchester. P. terminalis is an evergreen matt forming perennial. It grows to about 15cm in height and can colonise vast stretches of shaded land. It prefers to grow in low sunlight conditions which is why it has been planted under neath these other shrubs.

Its evergreen characteristics make it a great 'all year round plant' and can be used to define urban edges.

It's leaves are obovate and 7cm in length, they are shiny dark green and the ends, up to the middle, are serrated.

It's flowers are white and bloom in Spring-early Summer.

An example of how the species can be used in an urban environment found in Exchange Quays/Manchester.

Pyracantha coccinea - Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea - Firethorn

Location: Chorlton, Manchester. P. coccinea is a medium sized evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 4m. It is planted for it's striking colourful fruits that appear in Autumn/ Winter, another reason why it would be planted is that it makes a good hedge plant (topiary is practiced on it) and can keep animals and people away because of it's defensive thorns. It is generally disease and pest free, this specimen is in prime condition.

The scarlet fruit that grows in bunches is a seasonal interest for animals (for food) and people.

The leaves are dark and shiny with fine serrated edges.

The plant shoots long narrow stems in all direction that are riddled with thorns hidden in the foliage.