What’s in Bloom

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is a well-known cultivar selected by Proven Winners for its reliable performance and striking blooms. Originally developed in the Netherlands, it features large, upright panicles of flowers that open a distinctive pale green in midsummer before gradually shifting to creamy white, pink, and rose tones as the season progresses. This deciduous shrub is adaptable to a variety of soil types and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, 'Limelight' is appreciated for its strong stems, long bloom period, and suitability for both garden use and cut flower arrangements.

Bred in 1970 and named in 1972, Nymphaea 'Aquarius' was selected by Longwood Gardens for its slightly fragrant, deep violet flowers that are held up on very strong pedicels.  Well grown plants are also extremely floriferous.  Although the original goal of the Longwood waterlily breeding program was to produce hybrids suitable for home garden pools, this hybrid after years of evaluation proved to be a perfect addition to the Longwood Waterlily Display.

× Gordlinia grandiflora is a rare and striking hybrid flowering tree or large shrub, created by crossing two members of the tea family (Theaceae) - Franklinia alatamaha and Gordonia lasianthus. This intergeneric hybrid was developed in the southeastern United States to combine the best traits of its parent plants. It features large, fragrant, white camellia-like flowers with golden centers that bloom in late summer to early fall, often when few other trees are in flower. × Gordlinia grandiflora is valued for its fast growth, attractive glossy foliage, and extended blooming period. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soils and performs best in full sun to partial shade.

The Meadow Garden is filled with plants that benefit wildlife.  Cup-plant is a native perennial that grows to 8 feet tall.  Its perfoliate leaves, which clasp around the stem forming a cup, collect water for birds and insects.  Cup-plant provides nectar and pollen for a variety of bees, while birds, especially goldfinches, eat its seeds. 

‘Summer Storm’ is a hardy rose mallow hybrid with large flowers up to 10 inches across, that blooms from July to September.  These flowers which attract hummingbirds stand out against the plant’s dark purple foliage.  Rose mallows can grow to 7 feet tall and perform best in moist soils and full sun. You may associate hibiscus with tropical plants, but within the parentage of ‘Summer Storm’ are species of hibiscus native the eastern United States.

Scarlet Rose Mallow also known as Texas Star Hibiscus, is a striking native perennial prized for its bold, star-shaped scarlet red flowers that bloom from midsummer to early fall. Towering up to 6–8 feet tall, it adds dramatic height and color to pond edges, and moist borders. This heat-loving plant is a favorite among pollinators, especially hummingbirds and large butterflies, drawn to its vivid blooms. Its flowers also attract bees. Despite its exotic appearance, Scarlet Rose Mallow is easy to grow making it a stunning and ecologically beneficial addition to native plant gardens. 

Mistflower is a vigorous grower, native to the eastern and central United States, which grows from rhizomes reaching a height of three feet.  It is found naturally growing in moist soils located in bogs, ravines, banks of streams and lakes, in low woods, floodplains, along roads, and in ditches. The best conditions for this plant are full sun with moist soils; however, it can tolerate some occasional drought. Blue-violet disc flowers are arranged in dense racemes. This plant attracts scores of butterflies and also makes good long-lasting cut flowers.

Lagerstroemia ‘Sarah’s Favorite’ is a hybrid crapemyrtle valued for its abundant clusters of crisp white flowers from midsummer into early fall. Developed through the U.S. National Arboretum's breeding program, this cultivar was initially rejected before being rescued and introduced by Tom Dodd Nurseries, a reminder that even overlooked seedlings can become garden standouts. It combines the long bloom season of Lagerstroemia indica, native to China with the handsome exfoliating bark and disease resistance of Lagerstroemia fauriei, native to southern Japan. Attractive cinnamon-colored bark, colorful fall foliage, and excellent heat and drought tolerance make 'Sarah's Favorite' a dependable choice for Mid-Atlantic landscapes.  Lagerstroemia 'Sarah's Favorite' welcomes visitors entering the guest parking lot! 

The Victoria ‘Longwood Hybrid’ is a giant waterlily developed in the 1960s at Longwood Gardens by horticulturist Patrick Nutt, who crossed Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana to create what would surpass its parents in vigor, flower, leaf size, and cold-tolerance. The genus Victoria was named in honor of Queen Victoria during the 19th century, when the plant’s discovery in the Amazon captivated Europe with its enormous floating leaves and dramatic, night-blooming flowers. The hybrid continues that legacy with massive blooms that open white on the first night, releasing a sweet, pineapple-like fragrance to attract scarab beetles, then reopen pink on the second night. Since the beetles are native to the Amazon, Longwood staff must hand-pollinate the flowers to ensure seed production and maintain the collection. The ‘Longwood Hybrid’ remains a living tribute to botanical innovation and the era that first celebrated its wonder.