What’s in Bloom

Viburnum nudum ‘Longwood’ is an essential, multi-season shrub that brings beauty to the garden year-round! A cultivated variety of the native smooth witherod viburnum, this deciduous shrub features glossy green leaves, clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring, and vibrant berries that ripen from pink to deep blue in fall, often showing both colors at once for a striking two-tone effect. In autumn, the foliage turns rich shades of burgundy and purple, adding even more seasonal interest. ‘Longwood’ is prized for its compact, upright habit and excellent berry production, especially when planted near another Viburnum nudum variety for cross-pollination. It thrives in moist, acidic soils and full sun to part shade, and it's a fantastic choice for native plant gardens, pollinator habitats, or low-maintenance landscapes. Plus, it’s a hit with birds and bees alike!  

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.
 

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.  

American spikenard is a large, aromatic woodland perennial native to eastern North America. Growing up to six feet tall, it features bold compound leaves, arching stems, and clusters of small green-white flowers that mature into dark purple berries. A valuable native species, it supports pollinators and provides late-season food for birds and wildlife. Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples and early herbalists, its fragrant roots were valued for treating respiratory issues and fatigue, and even flavored early root beers. Sometimes called “life-of-man,” Aralia racemosa is now appreciated not only for its medicinal past but also for its role in restoring woodland ecosystems.

‘Blue River II’ is a hardy, rose mallow hybrid with large flowers to 10 inches across that blooms from July to September.  These flowers, which attract hummingbirds, are pure white, where as many rose mallow flowers have a deep red center.  'Blue River II' can grow to 5 feet tall and wide and performs best in moist soils and full sun. You may associate hibiscus with tropical plants, but within the parentage of this hybrid rose mallow are species of hibiscus native to the eastern United States.

Blooming from mid summer to early fall, panicle hydrangea gets its name from its large, showy panicles of flowers.  Leaving the dried flowerheads on the plant can add interesting forms and textures to the garden in winter.  Combined with its long bloom time, panicle hydrangea offers nearly year-round interest. Find a variety of cultivars of Hydrangea paniculata as well as other species of Hydrangea in bloom throughout the gardens!  

Hardy waterlily Nymphaea ‘Izia’ proves that a waterlily does not need to be large to be captivating. Developed by French hybridizer Florian Hénaux, this petite cultivar bears cheerful, many-petaled yellow flowers that rise like little golden flames above the water. Its compact habit, robust growth, and long flowering season make it an especially charming presence among the grander aquatics in the collection. Longwood acquired ‘Izia’ in 2023, adding this diminutive gem to its nationally accredited waterlily collection.

Vernonia glauca is a native plant with several common names including Appalachian ironweed due to its native range primarily following the Appalachian Mountains. It is known to be drought and moisture tolerant and attracts pollinators including the American painted lady butterfly, of which it is the host plant. This plant has traditionally been used by the Cherokee as an analgesic as well as a treatment for stomach ulcers. 

Although Curcuma is sometimes commonly called Siam-tulip, due to the shape of its petal-like bracts, it is actually in the ginger family. Curcuma alismatifolia is closely related to turmeric, which is also in the genus Curcuma. These plants grow from rhizomes throughout mainland southeast Asia. The rhizomes are edible and have yellow and orange interiors and are often dried and ground into a powder used to season many dishes.

Hardy begonia, is a shade-loving perennial native to China and Japan, valued for its ability to thrive in temperate gardens, unusual for a begonia. A member of the Begoniaceae family, ‘Alba’ features elegant, heart-shaped green leaves with striking red veining on the undersides and delicate clusters of nodding white flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. The flowers are edible, with a slightly tangy, citrus-like flavor, making them a charming garnish for salads or desserts. Unlike most begonias, this variety dies back in winter and re-emerges from bulb-like tubers in spring, adding graceful texture and late-season interest to shaded gardens or woodland borders. It can be a bit assertive in the garden, spreading readily, so watch out if you want to keep it contained! Check out the straight species Begonia grandis, with light pink flowers growing in the Peony Garden, and Hillside Garden & Chimes Tower.  

Petraeovitex bambusetorum, commonly referred to as the Nong Nooch-vine, is a rare and ornamental woody climber native to parts of Southeast Asia. It is notable for its attractive, arching flower spikes that feature golden yellow blooms. The plant belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), although its appearance and bamboo-like stems distinguishes it from most members of the family. It gained attention and its common name from the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Thailand, where it has been cultivated and displayed. This vine prefers tropical to subtropical climates, thrives in warm, humid conditions, and is often used as a botanical curiosity in specialty gardens or collections.

Commonly known as turtlehead for its unique, snapdragon-like blooms, it is a hardy perennial native to eastern North America. Found along streambanks and moist woodlands, it features upright stems with dark green, serrated leaves and dense spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple from late summer into fall. The distinctive flowers resemble the head of a turtle, hence the name and are particularly attractive to native bees and butterflies, including the Baltimore checkerspot, which uses Chelone as a host plant. It thrives in moist, rich soil and partial shade, Chelone is ideal for rain gardens, woodland edges, or any spot needing late-season color and environmental benefits. Despite its striking form and low maintenance needs, it remains underused in many landscapes.

Found throughout the United States and Canada, goldenrod is a good source of late summer and autumn nectar for bees as they prepare for winter.  It also has medicinal properties that have long been known to Native Americans.