Chimes Tower District

Southern magnolia, is a stunning evergreen tree native to southeastern United States, and admired for its massive, creamy white flowers that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. It thrives in hot, humid climates and can even tolerate occasional drought. Its thick, glossy leaves and lemon-scented blooms have made it a beloved symbol of the South. The flowers are so large and fragrant that they’re pollinated by beetles, not bees because magnolias evolved long before bees even existed!

A North American native perennial celebrated for its fragrant clusters of pink to mauve flowers and its essential role in supporting wildlife. The plant is the primary host for monarch butterfly caterpillars, whose larvae feed exclusively on milkweed leaves and store the plant's toxic compounds as a defense against predators. In late summer, its distinctive seed pods split open to release silky, windborne seeds, creating a familiar seasonal spectacle. Although once considered a weed of fields and roadsides, common milkweed is now recognized as one of the most important plants for pollinator conservation. 

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas Halo’ is an exceptional selection of the smooth hydrangea, a species native to the eastern United States. Discovered as a chance seedling in the Pennsylvania garden of Joan Haas and selected by plantsman, educator, and native plant advocate Frederick Ray, it is valued for its enormous, flat-topped lacecap flower clusters, which can reach 14 inches across. Unlike the mophead blooms of many cultivated smooth hydrangeas, its lacecap flowers are composed mostly of tiny fertile florets surrounded by larger sterile ones, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Sturdy stems and handsome blue-green foliage make ‘Haas Halo’ as resilient as it is spectacular.

Culver’s Root, is a tall, graceful native perennial celebrated for its elegant spires of tiny white to pale lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer. These slender, candelabra-like flower spikes rise above whorled leaves on sturdy stems, adding vertical interest to meadows, prairies, and pollinator gardens. It is a magnet for a wide range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, moths, and wasps, and is especially valuable for specialist pollinators. Look for a variety of cultivars on display in other areas of the gardens.