On a beautiful spring day at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, our enthusiastic instructor, Betty Cunnin, explains the characteristics of Rosaceae, the Rose Family. (The name comes from the type genus Rosa. Among the most species-rich genera are Alchemilla, Sorbus, Crateaegus, Cotoneaster, and Rubus but the largest genus is Prunus (plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and almonds)
Ms Cunnin leads us to a fine replacement for common heathers, x Phylliopsis 'Coppelia', a most attractive small shrub.
She then points out a vibrant Tree Peony that bees cannot resist.
If anyone is seeking a most unique shrub, how about Helwingia chinensis, in which the flowers emerge from the mid-leaf axil ?
For fans of Native Plants, an attractive choice would be Rosa nutkana.
A most exotic shrub choice would be Embrothrium coccineum 'Norquinco', Chilean Firebush !
