What’s in Bloom

Wisteria frutescens is native vine that can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as New England. The origin of the plant at Longwood is not known, but after many years of cultivation it proved to be a stellar performer reliably producing outstanding flowers of darker and richer hue than typical forms, which led to its designation as a cultivar with a name ‘Longwood Purple’. More restrained and easier to maintain than other varieties of wisteria, ‘Longwood Purple’ is also extremely cold hardy and can adjust to a wide climatic range. It can handle sandy to loamy soils and part to full sun. As a modestly fast growing vine, ‘Longwood Purple’ can be easily trained onto a trellis, against a wall or porch.  

Rhododendron maximum is an open, rounded, evergreen shrub reaching 15 feet tall in this region. Commonly called rosebay rhododendron, this plant is native to North America and hardy to USDA zone 5. The thick green foliage stands up well to frigid temperatures. Large beautiful clusters of rose to white-colored flowers stand above the whirled leaves in June to July.  Rosebay rhododendron is especially suited to a naturalistic woodland garden that mirrors its native habitat.

Paeonia 'Coral Sunset' is known for its splendid color transformation. The blooms open in a vibrant coral-peach tone and gradually fade to softer shades of apricot and cream as they age.  This variety is among the earlier herbaceous peonies to bloom in late spring to early summer, making it a great choice for extending the peony flowering season in your garden. 'Coral Sunset' has received the American Peony Society Gold Medal, a testament to its exceptional beauty, and garden performance.

Zizia aurea, commonly known as golden alexanders, is a cheerful native perennial valued for its clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring above attractive parsley-like foliage. Native to eastern North America, it naturally occurs in moist meadows, open woodlands, and along streambanks. As an early-season nectar source, it supports a wide range of pollinators and serves as a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies. Its adaptability, low-maintenance nature, and ability to naturalize make it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and naturalistic landscapes.

Cornus alternifolia, commonly known as pagoda dogwood, is a graceful native small tree or large shrub admired for its layered horizontal branching. Unlike most dogwoods, its leaves are arranged alternately along the stems, a trait reflected in the species name alternifolia. Native to eastern North America, it grows naturally along woodland edges and streambanks. Creamy white spring flowers attract pollinators, while dark blue-black fruits feed birds and wildlife. Its red-purple fall color, shade tolerance, and elegant form make it an excellent choice for woodland and naturalistic landscapes.

Dendrobium 'Frosty Dawn' is a hybrid orchid cultivar within the family Orchidaceae, created by H & R Nurseries in 1997. This sympodial epiphyte is prized for its striking white-to-cream flowers highlighted by a vivid orange or golden lip and its relative ease of cultivation in warm, bright conditions. It remains an accepted hybrid name with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Wild cranesbill has delicate pale to deep pink flowers that bloom in early to mid-spring. It has a deeply cut leaf and grows best in a woodland setting in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Forming loose 2 foot mounds in shade, this native geranium will also grow as a groundcover in sun. Hardy to zone 4, wild cranesbill is native to all counties of Pennsylvania.

One of the earliest blooming peonies in our Peony Garden, ‘Cytherea’ has semi-double, fragrant flowers on strong, upright stems.  These extremely popular garden plants are long-lived perennials that do well in full sun and well-drained, moist soil.  Peonies are also wonderful cut flowers, allowing you to extend your garden’s beauty indoors.

This deciduous tree native to China, produces large, fragrant, panicles of lavender flowers in the spring.  The wood of this fast growing tree is highly prized and used to make furniture and musical instruments. Japanese craftsmen prize princess-tree wood for making the koto, a six-foot long, stringed instrument that is the national instrument of Japan. Kotos create music when the strings that bridge across the hollow body of the instrument, are plucked. The unique sound is distinctively energetic and reflective because of the resonance of the princess-tree wood.

Chionanthus virginicus, commonly known as fringe tree or old man’s beard, is a graceful small native tree valued for its clouds of fragrant, fringe-like white flowers that appear in late spring just as the leaves emerge. Native to the eastern United States, it naturally occurs in rich woodlands, streambanks, and moist slopes. Its delicate blooms attract pollinators, while the dark blue fruits produced on female plants provide food for birds and other wildlife. Chionanthus virginicus is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Its compact size, adaptability, and resistance to pests and diseases also make it a strong choice for urban gardens and smaller landscape settings. It also has reliable yellow fall foliage.