What’s in Bloom

'Jelena' is an early-flowering selection of Hamamelis × intermedia, a hybrid between Japanese witch-hazel (Hamamelis japonica) and Chinese witch-hazel (Hamamelis mollis). These large, deciduous shrubs provide excellent winter interest with their slightly fragrant, coppery orange, spider-like flowers that start to appear in mid- to late January.  'Jelena' is easy to grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil.  The winter flowers are best illuminated by full sun and are best shown against a dark green background of conifers or broadleaf evergreens.

Oriental hybrid lilies are derived from species native to Japan and are prized for their dramatic presence and unforgettable fragrance. Typically growing 3 to 5 feet tall and sometimes taller under ideal conditions, they add height and elegance to the garden and are generally taller than most Asiatic lilies.  Blooming in mid- to late summer, Oriental hybrids flower just as Asiatic lilies begin to fade, extending the season of color. Their exceptionally large blossoms, most often in shades of white and soft pink, are intensely fragrant and make excellent cut flowers. Oriental hybrid lilies multiply more slowly than Asiatic varieties, gradually forming new bulbs over time. Occasional division every few years helps maintain plant health and prevent overcrowding.  Planting both Asiatic and Oriental hybrid lilies together provides a beautiful succession of blooms from early through late summer, along with an impressive range of color, size, and fragrance.

This beautiful orchid produces velvety, deep burgundy to near-black flowers with a distinctive spicy fragrance. The genus Fredclarkeara is a nothogenus (meaning it was developed by man). It is named after the individual who created it, Fred Clarke. “SVO” stands for Sunset Valley Orchids, Fred Clarke’s nursery, where this cultivar was developed and from which Longwood acquired the plants in its collection.  Often described as one of the darkest orchids ever produced, it is considered among the closest to a true black in cultivation. The flowers emerge on short, arching stems during or just after the foliage sheds in the fall to winter season.  × Fredclarkeara After Dark ‘SVO Black Pearl’ has been propagated commercially through tissue culture, making more plants available in the trade. However, patience is a virtue..... when grown from seed, this hybrid can take 15 years to reach flowering size.

Safari Orange aloe, Aloe ‘ANDora’, provides winter color thanks to showy spikes of brilliant orange flower clusters, which attract hummingbirds when grown outside. This hybrid Safari Orange is a result of a breeding program that started in South Africa in 1973 that was looking for hybrid aloe selections that had ideal horticultural characteristics such as vigor, flowering consistency, and disease resistance. This perennial succulent needs excellent drainage when grown in pots.

Eutaxia myrtifolia is a dense upright shrub 2 to 4 feet tall by nearly as wide. It has lime-green leaves, and from late winter through spring bears an abundance of attractive and lightly fragrant half inch wide pea flowers that have a bright egg-yellow standard with red wings and keel. The yellow flowers attract native Australian wildlife, especially birds and insects. Its nectar-rich flowers provide a food source for bees and butterflies, while the shrub also offers shelter for small birds and insects. The flowers not only bloom for an extended period but also last a long time once cut, making it a great addition to floral arrangements. Their bright yellow color can add a touch of sunshine to any bouquet.


 

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.

Roldana petasitis, is a member of the Asteraceae family, a large and diverse family that includes daisies, sunflowers, asters, and chrysanthemums. Native to Central America, it naturally blooms in the late fall through winter, producing clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.  Besides its prolific flower show, it is also valued for its large, velvety leaves and impressive size, and is a structural force in our Winter Wonder display!

Longiflorum–Asiatic lilies, commonly known as LA hybrids, are the result of crossing Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum, native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and Taiwan), with Asiatic hybrid lilies. This cross combines the larger flower size and sturdy stems of Longiflorum types with the wide color range and garden performance of Asiatic lilies. LA hybrids typically grow 3 to 4 feet tall and produce large, upward to outward-facing blooms. They are available in a broad spectrum of vibrant colors, including white, yellow, orange, pink, and red.  Unlike Oriental lilies, LA hybrids are lightly fragrant to fragrance-free, making them an excellent choice for gardeners who prefer minimal scent. They bloom in early to mid-summer, often just after Asiatic lilies and before Oriental varieties, helping extend the lily season. These lilies are vigorous, reliable performers and multiply more readily than Oriental types. Occasional division every few years will maintain plant health and prevent overcrowding. Planting LA hybrids alongside Asiatic and Oriental lilies provides a continuous succession of color and form throughout the summer garden.

The soft, erect, sword-shaped leaves appear before the flowers of Melasphaerula graminea. The flowers consist of many small, delicate, star-like, cream-colored to pale yellow flowers that are sparsely arranged in a lax, branched spike on slender, wiry stems. The genus name Melasphaerula comes from the Greek "melas," meaning "black" and "sphaerula," meaning "little ball" referring to the plant’s small, black corms and cormlets. The specific epithet graminea, meaning "grass-like," refers to the nature of this plant; it is often mistaken for a kind of grass. There is only a single known species of this genus. It was found at the Cape of Good Hope and introduced into Kew Gardens in 1787. The unpleasantly scented, sour, and putrid odors emitted by the flowers attract small March Flies (a nectar-feeding fly), which appear to be the only pollinators of these tiny, short-tubed flowers. Ants are possibly responsible for the dispersal of the seeds. Melasphaerula graminea will self-pollinate in the absence of insect visitors. The plant loses its leaves in summer, this is believed to be an adaptation to cope with the seasonally dry and harsh summer conditions.



 

This tender subshrub is one of the stars of our early spring Conservatory display.  Grown from cuttings, it takes a little more than a year to get a new cutting to the size of the plant you see on display. As the common name Pride of Madeira implies, this comes from and is endemic to the island of Madeira, where it grows on rocky cliffs and terraces. It is considered rare in its native habitat, possibly threatened because of wildfire potential, but it is in no danger of extinction. It is commonly found in California landscapes, and has naturalized in New Zealand and Australia. It is attractive to honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies, but generally unpalatable to deer and other browsers. 

 

Clivia miniata is a significant 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.

Laurus nobilis, commonly known as bay laurel or sweet bay, is a classic evergreen valued for both its culinary and ornamental appeal. Native to the Mediterranean region, this aromatic shrub or small tree features glossy, deep green leaves that release their distinctive fragrance when brushed or crushed. The leaves are widely used fresh or dried to flavor soups, stews, and sauces.  In warm climates, bay laurel can grow 10–30 feet tall, but it responds exceptionally well to pruning and is often trained into elegant standards or clipped forms. Small yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by dark purple berries on female plants.  Thriving in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil, Laurus nobilis is both drought tolerant once established and well suited to containers in cooler regions, where it can be overwintered indoors.  Whether shaped into bonsai (which you can currently view specimens on display in our West Conservatory), or grown as a fragrant garden specimen, bay laurel brings structure, history, and usefulness to the landscape!  

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.