Conservatory District

Florist’s cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a charming cool-season plant loved for its upswept, butterfly-like flowers and beautifully marbled, heart-shaped leaves. Blooming in shades of pink, red, white, and purple, it brings cheerful color when many plants are resting. Cyclamen persicum is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, especially Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and surrounding areas, where it grows in cool, shady woodlands.  As a houseplant, cyclamen prefers bright, indirect light, cool temperatures (50–65°F), and well-drained soil. Water carefully from the base or saucer to avoid wetting the crown, keeping the soil lightly moist but never soggy. With the right care and a cool spot, florist’s cyclamen will reward you with weeks to months of colorful blooms, even when many other houseplants are taking a break.

A broadleaf trailing plant with blue/green fuzzy foliage, Streptocarpus ′Concord Blue′ produces an array of slender wiry stems with three to five dainty blue and purple flowers that gracefully float above the foliage. The flowers are an inch long with a narrow tube which splays out at the end into a slanted pansy-like face with five lobes. Cape-primrose grows well with part sun/shade and regular water, and it does well in average and well-drained soil. This plant is a good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant, and they are a very low maintenance easy care plant. It has a great self-cleaning habit, meaning no deadheading is required to keep it blooming well.

Japanese camellias have glossy evergreen leaves and rose-like flowers in various shades of pink, red, and white that bloom at Longwood throughout the winter.  These beautiful flowering shrubs were one of Pierre S. du Pont’s favorite flowers and one of the first species planted in the Conservatory upon its completion in 1921.

One of the most interesting features of many Grevillea species is their intricate, tube-shaped flowers that attract specific pollinators. The flowers' long tubular shapes are ideal for birds with long beaks, while their colors and nectar production make them irresistible. It's a great example of co-evolution between plant and pollinator. Although the tree is native to Australia, it was originally introduced to many parts of the world, including Africa and the Pacific Islands, where it became an exotic ornamental plant. Because of its rapid growth and long-lasting wood, some people referred to it as the "Australian timber that traveled the world.“ The Aboriginal people of Australia have a long history of utilizing Grevillea plants in a variety of ways. Some species of Grevillea, particularly the larger, woody shrubs and trees, have a remarkable ability to regenerate after bushfires, which are common in Australia. Grevillea have adapted to fire-prone environments by having a "fire-resistant" seed bank. Even though the plant might burn down in a fire, the seeds in the soil are often able to survive the heat and sprout anew once the fire has passed. 

Lachenalia ′Romaud′ is a striking plant known for its vibrant and colorful blooms. They have strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing spikes of tubular flowers that are slightly fragrant in some species. Cape Cowslip is one of the easiest new bulbs to "force" into bloom on your windowsill. Still rather new to the industry, these hybrids are fool-proof versions of a genus once only known to rare bulb collectors.
 

Aeschynanthus radicans, commonly known as the lipstick plant, is a fun and eye-catching tropical houseplant valued for its trailing stems and bright red, tube-shaped flowers that emerge from dark buds resembling a tube of lipstick. It belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, which also includes African violets and gloxinias. Aeschynanthus radicans is native to Southeast Asia, where it grows as an epiphyte in warm, humid forests. As a houseplant, it thrives in bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, and well-drained soil, with regular watering once the top of the soil dries slightly. 

Euryops pectinatus is a compact, perennial, evergreen shrub in the daisy family, native to the rocky slopes of the South African Cape and is the only place where this plant occurs naturally. It has finely divided gray-green leaves that provide a great backdrop to the cheery yellow, 2-inch flowers that appear almost year-round in mild climates and are attractive to pollinators. The genus name comes from the Greek word for "large eye," referring to the showy flowers. The species name comes from the Latin term for something with narrow divisions, like a comb, referring to the divided leaves.

 

Hippeastrum is a tropical South American bulb celebrated for its tall stems and large, star-shaped blooms, a fitting name, as it means “horse star” in Greek. Symbolizing pride, determination, and radiant beauty, its bold flowers make it a meaningful gift for new beginnings or times of challenge. Often called amaryllis, Hippeastrum is not a true amaryllis. True Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) is native to South Africa and blooms outdoors in late summer, while Hippeastrum blooms outdoors in its native habitat in spring to early summer, typically with the onset of seasonal rains. Easy to grow, plant the bulb with the top third exposed, keep soil lightly moist, and provide bright light. After flowering, continue watering and feeding until the foliage dies back. A cool, dry rest period of 8–10 weeks will encourage reblooming, rewarding you year after year with tropical brilliance!