What’s in Bloom

Worsleya procera, commonly known as the blue amaryllis and often called the "Empress of Brazil", is one of the rarest and most spectacular flowering bulbs in cultivation. Endemic to a small region of the granite mountains near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it grows in rock crevices where water drains quickly but humidity remains high. Its flower stalks can reach more than 5 feet in height, topped with striking violet-blue blooms, an exceptionally rare color among amaryllis relatives. Coveted by collectors for its beauty and exacting cultural requirements, the blue amaryllis offers visitors to Longwood a rare opportunity to experience this extraordinary species and the remarkable adaptations that allow it to thrive in such a challenging habitat.  

A stunning hardy waterlily known for its exceptionally vibrant, lemon-yellow blooms, the brightest among hardy yellow varieties. It was named after waterlily expert Joey Tomocik of the Denver Botanic Gardens, this cultivar has become a favorite in water gardens worldwide for its long flowering season and robust performance. Its cup-shaped flowers float elegantly above the water surface, often blooming well into autumn.  ‘Joey Tomocik’ was once featured in the famous Monet-inspired water garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens, reflecting its artistic beauty and botanical pedigree!

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) is a native perennial of moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks throughout eastern North America. A member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), its fragrant pink flowers attract monarch butterflies, while its leaves provide the only food source for developing monarch caterpillars. In autumn, its seed pods open to reveal seeds attached to silky, parachute-like fibers that are carried by the wind. An excellent choice for rain gardens and other consistently moist sites, swamp milkweed combines ornamental beauty with exceptional ecological value.

Ficus retusa, commonly trained as a bonsai, belongs to the same group of figs as the magnificent banyan trees of Asia. In nature, these trees often begin life high in the branches of another tree before sending aerial roots to the ground, where they develop into additional trunks capable of supporting a vast spreading canopy. Through the art of bonsai, that same natural grandeur is captured in miniature. Begun in 2000, Longwood's specimen reflects decades of careful training, demonstrating how patience, horticultural skill, and artistic vision can transform a young tree into the appearance of an ancient giant.

This native plant, like its garden counterpart, bee-balm (Monarda didyma), has tubular shaped fragrant flowers, ranging from pinkish purple to pale lilac, that are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees as well as a wide variety of butterflies. It is also grown for its showy flowers and for mint tea made from its aromatic leaves. It grow 2-4 feet tall in full sun or part shade and well-drained soils. In winter, the round, honeycomb heads of bergamot pods are one of the longest lasting seedpods in the Meadow.

Dahlias are bold, beautiful bloomers known for their dazzling variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, ranging from petite pom-poms to giant dinner-plate-sized flowers! Native to the highlands of Mexico and Central America, dahlias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from mid-summer until frost. With over 40 species and thousands of cultivars, there's a dahlia for nearly every garden style. They're not just garden showstoppers, they also hold cultural significance. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, celebrated for its vibrant beauty and indigenous roots. Although they grow as perennials in warm climates (zones 8–10), gardeners in cooler regions often dig up and store the tubers over winter. With a little care, dahlias reward growers with months of spectacular blooms.  Find a variety of Dahlias on display along the Flower Garden Walk and the Idea Garden.  

Pachypodium geayi, native to the dry spiny forests of southwestern Madagascar, is a striking succulent tree adapted to one of the world's harshest environments. Its thick, silvery-gray trunk stores water through long periods of drought and is lined with sharp spines that help protect it from browsing animals. A crown of narrow, blue-green leaves creates a dramatic form, while mature plants produce fragrant white flowers. Although it resembles a palm or cactus, Ghost-men belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), the same family as Asclepias (milkweed), the essential host plant for monarch butterflies. It is a fascinating example of how unrelated plants can evolve similar forms to survive in challenging environments.

Coastal Joe Pye Weed, is a hardy, native perennial prized for its bold presence and ecological value in the garden. Native to the eastern coastal regions of North America, this compact species typically grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is well-suited to smaller garden spaces compared to its taller relatives. From mid to late summer, it produces dense, dome-shaped clusters of mauve-pink flowers that attract a wide array of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Thriving in moist, well-drained soils and full to part sun, Coastal Joe Pye Weed is a valuable addition to rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized plantings. Its strong stems, attractive foliage, and late-season blooms provide lasting visual interest and support for native wildlife.  Find other species and cultivars of Joe-Pye-weed in bloom throughout the gardens!  

Longwood began breeding cannas in 1967, when it was realized that the cultivars available at that time were generally six feet or taller and not suitable for use on display.  Between 1972 and 1985, twelve cultivars were selected for release, one being 'Brandywine' on display now in the Garden.   

 

Chaste tree, is an underused yet highly ornamental shrub native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. Growing 8 to 15 feet tall, it features elegant, palmate leaves and long spikes of violet, lavender, or white blooms with a subtle, intriguing fragrance. Flowering from midsummer into fall, it attracts a wide range of pollinators and brings extended color to the landscape. Historically used in ancient herbal medicine, Vitex also carries a rich cultural legacy tied to women’s health and monastic traditions. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent, often-overlooked choice for pollinator gardens, xeriscapes, or as a distinctive flowering specimen.

Blackberry-lily is not a lily but an iris that is native to large parts of eastern and southern Asia. It can grow to four feet tall with iris-like fanned foliage, topped by orange flowers with red spots in summer. In the fall, the seed pods open to reveal shiny black seeds, giving the plant its common name.

Young water-platter leaves emerge from the water as a green roll of prickle and soon transform into large, floating plates with an upturned rim.  Victoria platters grow at an astonishing rate. At maturity, the leaf can reach diameters of six feet and can support more than 80 pounds of evenly-distributed weight. Water-platters flower for two nights.  The first night flower is white and fragrant, while the second night flower is pink.