What’s in Bloom

The dense, pyramidal 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' has lustrous evergreen leaves of a dark-green shade. At maturity, it reaches a height of about 35 feet and a width of 20 feet. Its large white flowers are lemon-scented and bloom in the late spring.  These blooms form fascinating fruits with large red seeds after flowering.  This southern magnolia cultivar prefers full or part sun and moist soil. It has no serious pest problems and tolerates winter conditions far better than the species.  Considered a beautiful specimen tree, southern magnolia, with its many ornamental characteristics, earns a standalone place in the garden where it can be admired.

Japanese hydrangea-vine is a non-invasive vine that can grow to a height of 35 to 50 feet at maturity.  It is a nice plant for climbing up walls, since it uses adhering rootlets as fasteners rather than mechanical support and will perform limited or no damage to masonry. The vine prefers dappled light but, can grow in partial to full shade. It blooms in June through July displaying creamy white, heart shaped brachts.  The cultivar 'Moonlight' has foliage with a silver variegation and is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.

Spigelia marilandica commonly known as Pink-Root is a native to the United States, from Maryland south to Florida, west to Illinois and Texas.  Spigelia grows in moist woods, ravines, or along stream banks in partial to full shade. This perennial can grow up to two feet high and one and half feet wide. Pink-Root produces bright carmine red tubular flowers which are two inches long with a yellow inside, and attracts Ruby-Throated hummingbirds from late May to the end of August.

Thermopsis, from the Greek meaning “like a lupine” is commonly known as false lupine.  This perennial, native to the southeastern United States can grow 3 to 5 feet tall and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Oncidium are known as the dancing lady orchid, due to their large dress-shaped lip.  They usually carry large sprays of small flowers, like this one, which smells like chocolate, in the Orchid House.

Rambling roses are perfect for use on pergolas, pillars, arches and arbors due to their vigorous growth and large sprays of flowers. The cultivar 'American Pillar' was chosen by Pierre du Pont for the Rose Arbor before 1920, and is still used today.