February's garden plant 'Gilmagajinam'… "delivering the scent of spring first"

(Pocheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-yoon = The National Institute of Forest Science announced on the 5th that the 'Gilmagajinam' tree has been selected as the February plant for our gardens. The Gilmagajinam is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Hydrangea family, an endemic plant that grows in the foothills and forest edges across the country. The name of the tree comes from its fruit, which ripens red in May and resembles a saddle placed on the back of a horse or cow. Although not showy, this tree has a simple beauty, adding vitality to the garden in early spring with its subtle fragrance that emanates from the flowers, which bloom before or with the leaves. Flowering starts in February and continues until April, filling the garden area with a fresh lemon scent during this period. Planting it around walkways or near windows allows one to enjoy the fragrance up close. This tree grows well in well-drained, not too dry soil. It is cold-resistant and can overwinter outdoors in most regions, but because its roots spread shallowly, care must be taken to ensure the roots do not dry out during transplantation. Propagation can be done through seed sowing or cuttings. Seeds can be collected from the fruit in May or June and sown immediately, while cuttings can be taken from new branches in early spring or summer. Kim Hyuk-jin, Director of the Forest Biological Resources Utilization Center at the National Institute of Forest Science, recommended the Gilmagajinam tree as "a plant that brings the first scent of spring after a long winter." kyoon@yna.co.kr