January Plants of the Month: Crataegus viridis – ‘Winter King’ — Winter King Green Hawthorne
With its bright red fruit persisting prolifically on stately silvery branches well into winter, Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ is guaranteed to provide visual appeal at a most needed time: the month of January. This cultivar of Crataegus viridis is particularly known for its large 1⁄4” – 1⁄2” fruit, consistently larger than that of the regular species. And unlike most other hawthorns, it remains relatively free of pests and diseases such as scab and rust.
Its maximum visual appeal occurs in wintertime, but it has four-season appeal.
A member of the Rosaceae family, showy white five-pedaled blossoms appear in mid May. Glossy, green leaves, oval to elliptical-shaped with toothed margins, provide consistent attractive summer foliage.
Fall foliage is underrated with colors ranging from yellow to scarlet, even purple. After leaf drop exfoliating bark is revealed: copper gray in color on mature specimens, silver and green bark (viridis means green) on younger specimens.
Typically maturing at a height of 20-25’, with a similar spread, with a vase-like shape, Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ is an excellent choice as a specimen tree for small properties, within a lawn setting, or as an accent plant if planted against an evergreen backdrop.
This plant tolerates tough urban conditions and varied soil types. For best results, plant in loamy soils in full sun. Hardy zones 4-7.
Matteuccia struthiopteris – Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris, commonly called ostrich fern, is a clump-forming, upright to arching, rhizomatous, deciduous fern which typically grows 2-3′ tall in cultivation, but may reach 6′ tall in moist, cool climates in the wild. The showy parts of this fern are the finely dissected, medium green, vegetative (sterile) fronds which, as the common name suggests, exhibit the feathery appearance of long ostrich plumes. The vegetative fronds emerge at the narrow base of the clumps in spring as the familiar “fiddleheads” from where they unfurl to a maximum length of 4′. The emerging fiddlehead shoots are considered a delicacy, when cooked.
Ostrich Fern creates a dramatic effect in the shade garden. Excellent for naturalizing, it is a good choice for stabilizing soils along shady stream banks and ravines. While many ferns prefer acid to neutral soils, Ostrich Fern is tolerant of a wider range of soils. In optimal moist conditions Ostrich Fern can spread and form dense colonies. Ostrich Fern is both, deer and rabbit resistant. Mass in moist, shady woodland areas, wild gardens or wet areas near streams or ponds. Ostrich ferns have no serious insect or disease problems.
