What’s in Bloom

Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’, a hybrid witch hazel, is valued for its bright yellow, ribbon-like flowers that appear in late winter when little else is in bloom. A cross between the Japanese and Chinese witch hazels, this cultivar was selected at the Arnold Arboretum for its abundant flowering, strong fragrance, and reliable performance. The spidery blooms unfurl on bare branches during the coldest months, often persisting through frost and light snow. In autumn, the foliage turns a clear golden yellow, extending its season of interest. Hardy and adaptable, ‘Arnold Promise’ is an excellent choice for  landscape, where it provides welcome color, fragrance, and early nectar for emerging pollinators at a time when floral resources are scarce.  

Oriental Trumpet lilies often referred to as OT hybrids, are the result of crossing Oriental lilies with Trumpet (Lilium) species. This combination blends the large, fragrant blooms of Oriental lilies with the height, strength, and classic flower form of Trumpet lilies.  These vigorous plants typically grow 4 to 6 feet tall and, under ideal conditions, can reach 6 to 8 feet, earning some varieties the nickname “tree lilies.” Their strong stems support very large, outward-facing or slightly pendant blooms in shades of white, cream, pink, yellow, apricot, and bi-color blends. OT lilies bloom in mid- to late summer, extending the season after Asiatic and often alongside late Oriental hybrids. They are highly fragrant, making them excellent choices for garden impact and cut flower arrangements.

Clivia miniata is a magnificent species in our indoor display, with beautiful blossoms adding sweeps of color to our West Conservatory from late winter into spring. Native to southern Africa and a member of the amaryllis family, it is known for its large umbels of orange, yellow, red, or even green flowers that stand above shiny deep-green or variegated strap-like foliage. The cultivar 'Longwood Fireworks' was developed here at Longwood and released in 2012. It is a product of our longstanding clivia program that began in 1976, to breed a yellow-flowering clivia to "invigorate garden display" by discovering and improving plant characteristics. This program has produced many plants, but only a few have been selected for display.

Aloe striata × maculata is a hybrid aloe, combining characteristics of Aloe striata (the "coral aloe") and Aloe maculata (the "spotted aloe"). Though there is considerable variability, these plants usually have light coral to darker orange three-foot flowers rising above rosettes of lightly spotted leaves that have soft teeth along their margins. The term "ghost" likely refers to the plant’s light-colored appearance and striking contrast to the more vibrant, typical green hues seen in many other aloes. When exposed to cold winter temperatures, the frosty, light-colored leaves acquire an amethyst purple tint.


 

Named for its velvety orange-red flowers that resemble the paws of a kangaroo, this striking plant is native to Western Australia. These evergreen shrubs form clumps of narrow green leaves from which stalks of brightly hued flowers emerge. This kangaroo paw variety is specifically bred to attract honeyeaters, native Australian birds that specialize in sipping nectar. So fond are they of this plant’s nectar that they often neglect to wipe their beaks on nearby branches after feeding, carrying pollen from one ‘Bush Ranger’ to another and facilitating pollination with little effort. Look for additional cultivars to appear in the West Conservatory in the coming weeks.
 

Seemannia sylvatica, commonly known as Bolivian sunset gloxinia, is a tuberous perennial native to the cloud forests of Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru. A member of the Gesneriaceae family which also includes African violets, it produces vivid orange-red tubular flowers with yellow throats that hang from arching stems.  In its native habitat, the elongated blooms are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds, whose long beaks are perfectly suited to accessing the nectar deep within the flower. In our region, it performs best as a summer container plant, as it is not winter hardy outdoors. With bright, indirect light and consistent moisture, it will bloom reliably through summer, making it a striking choice for the annual border.

Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) is a classic evergreen shrub admired for its glossy, deep-green leaves and elegant winter-to-spring blooms, which range from simple, single flowers to full, rose-like doubles in shades of white, pink, and red. Native to Japan, Korea, and parts of China, it has been cultivated for centuries in temple gardens and shaded woodland settings. In modern gardens, it’s valued for its long lifespan, graceful structure, and ability to brighten cool seasons when few other plants flower. Given the right conditions, acidic soil, consistent moisture, and protection from harsh afternoon sun, it becomes a reliable, year-round ornamental with a refined, timeless presence.

Leucospermum ‘Brandi Dela Cruz’ is a South African shrub known around the world as a popular cut flower. In South Africa, it is a popular garden plant producing bright orange pincushion flowers that are 5 inches wide and held on 30-inch stems. The genus name Leucospermum comes from the Greek word 'leukos' meaning "white", and 'sperma' meaning "seed". This is in reference to the white fleshy skin that covers the seeds. This evergreen shrub that will grow upwards of 7 feet tall if the flowers are not cut annually. 

Euphorbia fulgens is a graceful, arching spurge native to the cloud-forest regions of southern Mexico, where it grows as a semi-woody shrub. Known for its long, wiry stems lined with coral, red, orange, yellow, or white, bracts, it’s a florist favorite, especially in Europe because its stems last an impressively long time in arrangements. Like all spurges, it produces a milky latex sap, which is both its natural defense and the reason florists sear the stem ends to improve vase life. With its delicate silhouette, vivid color, and surprisingly dramatic lineage (the Euphorbia family also includes poinsettias and cactus-like succulents), Euphorbia fulgens remains an excellent choice for borders, containers, or areas where a splash of color and texture is desired! Check out other Euphorbia featured in this week's What's in Bloom!

Clerodendrum quadriloculare commonly known as starburst or shooting star glorybower, is a tropical standout!  In late winter to early spring, clusters of pink tubes open into starry white flowers, creating a dramatic, firework-like display above the foliage. The large leaves are deep green with rich purple undersides, and some selections feature variegation.  Native to New Guinea and the Philippines, this fast-growing shrub can reach 6–12 feet tall in warm climates and thrives in bright light with well-drained soil.  Our winter-blooming standards are featured in the Orangery and East Conservatory. Each plant is carefully trained into tree form over approximately 2½ years by growing a single trunk and shaping a rounded head. While some are displayed for a second season, we propagate new plants each year to ensure the highest quality specimens.