#ig1

[mikec137]

Mägenwil, Switzerland, August 2025

[lexxfiles]

[greengardengremlin]

55. Xylosma congestum — Shiny Xylosma

Family: Flacourtiaceae

Type: Evergreen shrub

Avg. Height: 15'–25'

Avg. Width: 15'

Leaf: 

Green to yellow-green

New leaves are bronze

Ovate

Serrated

Pointed apex

1½"–3"

Shiny and soft

Thin and flexible

Flower:

Yellow-green

Small

Attract bees

Fruit:

Black

Very small

Wildlife: Attracts bees

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Pests & Diseases: 

Shot Hole Borer

Giant Whitefly

Scales

Spider Mites

Thrips

Misc. Notes:

Mounding habit

Rarely produces flowers or fruit

[greengardengremlin]

50. Pittosporum tobira — Mock Orange

Family: Pittosporaceae

Type: Evergreen shrub or tree

Avg. Height & Width: 6'–15'

Leaf: 

Dark to bright green

Glossy

Whorled

Slightly curved/cupped margin

Ovate

3"–4"

Flower:

Cream or white

Clusters

Fragrant, like orange blossoms

Fruit:

Green pea sized seed pod

Bark:

Gray

Smooth

Wildlife: 

Bees

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Pests & Diseases: 

Pytophthora

Sooty mold

Aphids

Scales

Resistant to armillaria

[greengardengremlin]

49. Melaleuca quinquenervia — Cajeput Tree

Family: Myrtaceae

Type: Evergreen tree

Avg. Height: 25'–40'

Avg. Width: 15'–25'

Leaf: 

Gray-green

Narrow

Lance shaped

Alternate

2"–3"

Fragrant

Flower:

Cream colored

Brush-like clusters

On the end of stems

2"–3"

Fragrant

Blooms in spring and fall

Fruit:

Woody pods attached to branches

Remain attached for several years

Bark:

Tan and white

Peeling layers

Soft and spongy texture like a foam sheet

Wildlife: 

Bees

Birds

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Pests & Diseases: 

Phytophthora

Root rot

Misc. Notes:

The bark can be peeled off in layers

[greengardengremlin]

46. Coleonema species — Breath of Heaven

Family: Rutaceae

Type: Evergreen shrub

Avg. Height & Width: 3'–5'

Leaf: 

Green

Needle-like

Fragrant

Soft

Flower:

Small

White or pink

5 petals

Blooms in winter and spring

Bark:

Smooth

Wildlife: 

Bees

Butterflies

Pollinators

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Misc. Notes:

Flower color and growth habit depends on the species

Pictured is Coleonema pulchellum, Pink Breath of Heaven

[greengardengremlin]

43. Lophostemon confertus — Brisbane Box

Family: Myrtaceae

Type: Evergreen tree

Avg. Height: 40'–70'

Avg. Width: 25'–35'

Leaf: 

Green top

Yellow underneath

Yellow midrib

Leathery

Alternate to whorled arrangement

4"–6"

Flower:

Creamy white

¾"

Clusters

Blooms late spring

Fruit:

Bell shaped woody capsule

Brown or green

½"

Bark:

Brown-red trunk and branches

Flaking

Smooth and lighter color underneath

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Pests & Diseases: 

Phytophthora

Root rot

Scales

Misc. Notes:

Produces a lot of litter

[greengardengremlin]

38. Calliandra haematocephala — Pink Powderpuff

Family: Fabaceae

Type: Evergreen shrub

Avg. Height: ~10'

Avg. Width: 6'–15'

Leaf: 

Bright green to dark green

New growth can be bronze or rose colored

Bipinnately compound

Alternate arrangement

Oval with slight point

Flower:

Puff of pinkish-red stamens

Fragrant

Looks almost like a raspberry before blooming

Fruit:

Large brown to green legume

Bark:

Reddish to light brown or light gray

Smooth

Wildlife: 

Butterflies

Hummingbirds

Plant Factor: M

Irrigation Group: 1

Pests & Diseases: 

Mites

Caterpillars

Misc. Notes:

The Latin name means 'bleeding head-wound'