Woody Flowers - 196 Species (Landscape Plants Practical Illustrated Guide (Volume 7))

Author: Xue Congxian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Woody ornamental plants refer to woody plants with beautiful flowers or fruits, primarily used for ornamental purposes such as viewing flowers or fruits. They include both shrubs and trees, with either evergreen or deciduous characteristics.
Shrubs are typically low-growing trees with no distinct main trunk, branching from the ground into multiple stems, forming an irregular crown that resembles a cluster. Examples include Crown of Thorns (Mandevilla), Hard-Branch Old Crowbeak (Bougainvillea spectabilis), Desert Rose (Adenium obesum), Azalea, Fuchsia, Hibiscus, Hibiscus, etc. Shrubs with a height of over 2 meters are classified as large shrubs, while those under 2 meters are small shrubs.
Trees are typically characterized by a single, distinct main trunk. The trunk grows vertically from the ground to a certain height (approximately chest level) before branching, with a well-defined crown shape. Examples include Plumeria, Laburnum, Flame Tree (Delonix regia), Jacaranda, Beauty Tree (Erythrina), Baobab, Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli), Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia), Crape Myrtle, Sandalwood (Santalum album), etc. Trees with a height of over 18 meters are classified as large trees, those between 18 and 9 meters as medium trees, and those under 9 meters as small trees.
Woody ornamental plants are widely used in landscaping. Shrub flowers can be used for garden or road beautification, hedges, flower bed arrangements, or as potted plants. Tree species are suitable for garden shade trees or roadside trees. During flowering season, the trees are covered in abundant blossoms, displaying a dazzling array of colors, making them excellent choices for garden design. In terms of cultivation and management, most flowering woody plants require ample sunlight. Those that prefer high temperatures (optimal growing temperature of 20–30°C) are suitable for cultivation in southern regions; while those that prefer warm or cool temperatures (optimal growing temperature of approximately 10–25°C) are more suitable for cultivation in mid-to-high-altitude cool mountainous areas.
This book features 196 plant species, most of which are currently cultivated in China, along with recently introduced new varieties.