Week 14: Choisya Ternata; Mexican Orange Blossom.



Common Name: Mexican Orange Blossom

Latin Name: Choisya Ternata

Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree

Location: Parsonage Gardens, Didsbury. 

Ultimate height: 1.5 - 2.5 m

Ultimate spread: 1.5 - 2.5m

Located Choisya Ternata height: 1m

Overall shape: Bushy shrub with irregular form

Leaf Shape: Dark green glossy leaves divided into three obovate leaflets

Bark: Bark fissured and brown/grey in colour. Smooth thick branches green in colour

Preferred soil type: Thrives in well drained clay, loam, chalk or sand.

Fruit/Flowers: Flowers have a fragrant smell and sit in a star shape. Their petals are bright white.

Distribution: Native of Mexico

This particular Choisya Ternata was located in a planting bed, in close proximity to the Fletcher Moss Gallery. As shown in an image above, a man sits looking out of the gallery window, observing and producing a piece of artwork of the garden. This space is of a picturesque nature and although this specie is relatively common regardless of its non-native character, it sits well within the space bringing a soft tone of green to the area. It is of a very healthy condition, with the surrounding area of the plant being fairly spacious; shared with minimal tree planting and shrubs. All leaves were consistent in colour/texture, showing no indication to any diseases; its shear height and structure portrays its well grown, healthy condition. 

Week 12: Ginkgo Biloba; Maidenhair Tree.

Common Name: Maidenhair Tree

Latin Name: Ginkgo Biloba

Type: Large deciduous tree

Location: University Of Manchester Campus

Ultimate height: Up to 28m

Ultimate spread: 4 - 8m

Located Ginkgo Biloba height: 4m

Overall shape: Ginkgo Bilobas have an irregular shape however with age develop a spreading crown.

Leaf Shape: Leaves are green and fan shaped. They can grow up to 12cm in width. Colour changes in autumn from green to a clear yellow.

Bark: Grey brown bark with a corky texture. Mature trees are deeply ridged. Branches spread with long greenish brown shoots, which bear shorter brown shoots.

Preferred soil type: Well drained chalk, clay, loam or sand.

Fruit/Flowers: No flowers, in autumn female plants produce a dull yellow fruit containing one large seed. The fruit has an unpleasant scent.

Distribution: Native to China


I located this Ginkgo Biloba in an urban surrounding, acting accordingly as a street tree. The specie sits amongst others like it, unified and collected. Their condition is well, although their height and overall size indicates that these trees were recently planted and so time will indicate their provision to correct nutrition. It goes unsaid that these trees have been intentionally planted here, with its reasons being most likely down to aesthetics and character to the space. It is also possible that they were planted in such location to provide a segregation between materials and texture. This provides a permeable planting barrier, allowing occupiers to feel safer whilst using the walkway behind the linear planting scheme, whereas being on the walkway closest to the main road may leave pedestrians feeling exposed to danger. 

Week 13: Wisteria Sinesis; Chinese Kidney Bean.

pH 7.5 ALKALINE

Common Name: Chinese Wisteria/ Chinese Kidney Bean

Latin Name: Wisteria Sinesis

Type: Large deciduous climber

Location: Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury. 

Ultimate height: Higher than 12m

Ultimate spread: Wider than 8m

Located Wisteria Sinesis height: N/A

Overall shape: Strenuous woody climber

Leaf Shape: The twining stems bear pinnate lanceolate green leaves

Bark: Twining dark green stems

Preferred soil type: This climber prefers moist but well drained soil, grows well in sand, clay, chalk and loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Pendulous racemes of fragrant lilac or mauve flowers which open before the leaves in spring and early summer, these can grow up to 30cm in length.

Distribution: Native to China


This specie was located in two places, one being upon the side elevation of a building. The other was found climbing up a timber truss within a separate garden of the park. It was obvious that it had been intentionally implemented as the Wisteria Sinesis was found planted at the base of each individual column of the truss, with the aim to provide a structure for the specie to climb upon and span across. This provides the timber truss with a planted form of overhead shelter. When it's leaves and flowers are present, a colourful spectacular will benefit the space. It is in a healthy condition, with the soils nutrients being solely used by the Wisteria with no surrounding competition. Its wider purpose is to demonstrate a sense of status to the area as implementing such a plant to the space shows complexity and richness in elegance. 

Week 11: Cercis Canadensis; Forest Pansy.





Common Name: Forest Pansy

Latin Name: Cercis Canadenis

Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Location: All Saints Park, Manchester. 

Ultimate height: 4 - 8m

Ultimate spread: 4 - 8m

Located Cercis Canadensis height: 2m

Leaf Shape: Leaves are a broad heart shape and are a deep red/purple colour. They can grow up to 12cm in width.

Bark: Bark is grey brown and fissured. Branches reddish brown with white speckles.

Preferred soil type: Well drained sand, chalk, clay or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Clusters of bright pink small flowers open either in timing with the leaves or just before

Distribution: Native of North America 

This specie was located within a planting bed of shrub, being the only tree within the space, other than one of the same specie located side by side. The Cercis Canadensis has been planted to provide diversity and a richness in colour when the leaves are present. Unfortunately due to the time of year, this was not the case for me; oberseved as a skeleton. Never the less, providing character and expanding the areas diversity in planting. I assume its presence in All Saints Park was of intention, solely based on it being non-native to Britain. As this area is located within my university campus, I am able to observe this plant often and am aware of its aesthetics when in different seasons. When the leaves are present, it provides seclusion and a depth of colour to the central area of the space, where students and the general public sit and eat lunch, play music or socialise. It is very healthy, with its location providing exposure to sunlight. The surrounding competition seems to have no effect on its abilities to retrieve necessary nutrition, as no diseases or problems with its growth were identified.