What’s in Bloom

An evergreen perennial with red-edged, banana-like leaves, bird-of-paradise blooms intermittently from summer through to winter. The flowers resemble the head of the crowned crane, hence the common name, crane flower in its native South Africa.  It is named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, with the specific epithet reginae meaning ‘of the queen’. The plant can be grown from seeds or division, prefers a loamy soil, and is well adapted to full sun.

Pink Rice Flower is a small evergreen shrub that prefers full sun or light shade and has narrow green leaves. This plant produces clusters of small fragrant pink, white, or cream-colored flowers that smell similar to rosemary or honey. These sweetly scented blooms attract bees and other pollinators, adding to its charm. It is often found in coastal regions and areas with sandy soils. 
 

The poinsettia was introduced to this country from Mexico in 1825 by Joel Poinsett. The botanical name for the poinsettia is Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning the most beautiful Euphorbia. The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are colored bracts (modified leaves). Poinsettias are cold sensitive, so they cannot be used in cold drafty areas. Poinsettias are not poisonous, although they can cause an upset stomach if eaten. We use a variety of Euphorbia species and cultivars in the Christmas display and throughout the year, and in the permanent plantings collection.

A Coastal Elegance: “Pearls meet Squirrels” - We celebrate nature’s master jewelers—oysters—by transforming our wildlife tree into an enchanting undersea theme with shells and pearls. Volunteers handcrafted ornaments that double as a winter feast. Coconut shells brim with birdseed, fruits, and nuts; gilded cages hold suet balls; and bundles of millet and a variety of dried flowers adorn this 18-foot white fir (Abies concolor) offering a living buffet for our feathered and fur-covered guests. Wildlife visiting this tree are residents of our natural lands—more than 700 acres of open fields, forests, ponds, wetlands, and agricultural areas surrounding our formal gardens. Managed by our Land Stewardship and Ecology team, these lands offer vital year-round habitat and winter food for countless creatures. At this time of year, the abundance of grass, seeds, and nuts in the nearby Meadow Garden and Forest Walk helps wintering wildlife survive.  Our Longwood staff and volunteers collaborate to handcraft all decorations including the edible natural ornaments. Click on this link to find information on how to make edible ornaments: https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2014-12-19/make-your-own-edible-ornaments .

 

Commonly known as Christmas Pride, this outstanding shrub is valued for its large, tubular magenta flowers that appear mainly in the cooler months. It is native to Brazil, where it grows in warm, humid environments with partial shade. In cultivation, it’s appreciated for its steady bloom cycle, attractive foliage, and ability to draw pollinators such as hummingbirds, making it a dependable ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. Plant enthusiasts can find this plant readily available in the trade.  Ideal for containers, where it becomes an eye-catching feature on the patio.

Euphorbia lactea ‘White Ghost’ is a striking and unusual cultivar prized for its sculptural form and ghostly pale coloration. Native to tropical regions of Asia, Euphorbia lactea is not a true cactus, though its upright, ribbed stems and spiny edges often cause it to be mistaken for one; instead, it belongs to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and contains a milky sap typical of this plant family. The cultivar ‘White Ghost’ is especially distinctive, displaying creamy white to pale green stems caused by a lack of chlorophyll, which gives it a dramatic, almost otherworldly appearance. Because of this reduced chlorophyll, it grows more slowly and appreciates bright light without harsh, direct sun. Valued as a collector’s plant, ‘White Ghost’ brings a bold, architectural presence to containers and indoor collections, where its form is as much a conversation piece as a living plant.

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 is a single species with pink, fall-blooming flowers, solid stems, and bulbs that sit fully underground, while Hippeastrum blooms in spring to early summer, has hollow stems, many hybrids and colors, and bulbs that are often partially exposed. 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!

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.

 

Unlike the more familiar lavender varieties with narrow, needle-like leaves, Lavandula pinnata has deeply lobed, soft, downy, fern-like leaves. This plant has a pungently aromatic fragrance compared to other lavenders, as it can have a more herbal, slightly piney note, hence the "pine" in its botanical name. Unlike most lavender species, Lavandula pinnata is native to tropical and subtropical regions. It's one of the few lavenders that can thrive in warmer, humid climates. While not as widely used as Lavandula angustifolia (the common lavender used in essential oils), Lavandula pinnata still has medicinal and aromatic uses. Its oil can be used for calming and relaxation, and the plant itself can be brewed into a tea. Like other lavenders, Lavandula pinnata is generally pest-resistant due to its strong scent, which deters many insects. 

 

Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia, valued for its lustrous, dark green foliage and its ability to bloom in late winter and early spring, when few other garden plants are in flower. A member of the tea family (Theaceae), it thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and light shade, and with proper care can live for many decades, often becoming a long-lived featured specimen in the landscape. The cultivar ‘Mrs. Nellie Eastman’ is an old-fashioned camellia with a bit of history behind its name: it’s generally described as having soft pink, showy flowers and the dependable blooming habit that made camellias so popular in Southern and coastal gardens. While it may not be as widely marketed as newer hybrids, it’s appreciated by camellia lovers for its classic look and connection to the tradition of naming camellias after real people. 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.