What’s in Bloom

The Victoria ‘Longwood Hybrid’ is a giant waterlily developed in the 1960s at Longwood Gardens by horticulturist Patrick Nutt, who crossed Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana to create what would surpass its parents in vigor, flower, leaf size, and cold-tolerance. The genus Victoria was named in honor of Queen Victoria during the 19th century, when the plant’s discovery in the Amazon captivated Europe with its enormous floating leaves and dramatic, night-blooming flowers. The hybrid continues that legacy with massive blooms that open white on the first night, releasing a sweet, pineapple-like fragrance to attract scarab beetles, then reopen pink on the second night. Since the beetles are native to the Amazon, Longwood staff must hand-pollinate the flowers to ensure seed production and maintain the collection. The ‘Longwood Hybrid’ remains a living tribute to botanical innovation and the era that first celebrated its wonder.

There's just a week remaining to enjoy the Victoria water platters and the waterlily collection before Waterlily Court goes dormant for the season.  

Franklinia, or the Franklin tree is a small deciduous tree in the camellia family. It was first discovered by the Philadelphia based botanists John and William Bartram on the banks of the Alatamaha River in Georgia in 1765. William Bartram collected seed in 1773, and successfully cultivated the plant at the Bartram gardens in Philadelphia. Bartram named the new plant Franklinia alatamaha in honor of his father’s friend Benjamin Franklin.  It is a unique tree as it is the only species in its genus, and it is now extinct in the wild. The original stand of trees was restricted to a small area and the species went extinct soon after its discovery, with the last confirmed sighting recorded in 1803. The probable causes for its demise were increased activity associated with settlers; for example fires and land clearance. All known living specimens in cultivation today are descended from the seed collected by William Bartram.  Interestingly, while the tree was discovered in Georgia, it performs well in more northern climates. It has therefore been hypothesized that the tree was pushed south during the last ice age, then stranded when the ice retreated. The trees that the Bartrams discovered might have been the last remnants of a once much larger population.  The Franklin tree is available commercially and is prized in cultivation for both its story and its fragrant camellia-like flowers and red fall foliage.

Native to eastern North America, this deciduous holly can commonly be found in swamps, low woods, along streams and ponds, and in damp thickets. The bright red berries appear in late summer and persist on the plant until spring, providing an important food source for many birds, including the American Robin. Winterberry Holly also goes by the name Fever Bush, due to its medicinal use by indigenous Americans.  Hollies are dioicous meaning you need both male and female plants for reliable fruit production. Grow extra Winterberry so you can use some berries in holiday decorations!  Look for a variety of Winterberry cultivars throughout the gardens!  

Now on display in the Potting Shed, a charming collection of chrysanthemum bonsai forms, skillfully created by our staff, students, and interns. Be sure to stop by as we get closer to the return of our upcoming Chrysanthemum Festival, on view October 24–November 16!

Seven-son flower is a deciduous, large shrub or small tree native to China, where it was first documented in the early 20th century and later introduced to Western horticulture. It is the sole species in the genus Heptacodium and belongs to the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). This plant is highly valued for its multi-season ornamental appeal. In late summer to early fall, it produces clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers arranged in groups that often appear to consist of seven buds, hence the common name. After flowering, the sepals turn a vivid red to deep pink, extending the visual interest into autumn. The plant also features exfoliating, light brown bark that provides attractive winter texture. Though once considered rare and even endangered in the wild, it has become increasingly popular in gardens and public landscapes due to its resilience, pollinator-friendly blooms, and year-round appeal. Heptacodium miconioides is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact specimen plant.

As an autumn blooming orchid, Spiranthes bightensis is a native plant to the north-eastern United States. It is a small terrestrial plant that can often be found growing alongside of other bog dwelling plants in areas of low competition. Its spirally arranged flowers are small, white, and fragrant, scented of vanilla and jasmine. Spiranthes have tuberous roots and basal rosettes of papery or fleshy rounded leaves.

Aphelandra tetragona is a visually striking tropical plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America, particularly regions of Colombia and Ecuador. It is recognized for its ornamental appeal, featuring glossy green leaves marked by prominent white veins. During its blooming period, the plant produces vivid red bracts with small yellow flowers, which are known to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds. Although it is less commonly cultivated than its relative, Aphelandra squarrosa (the Zebra Plant), A. tetragona shares the same flair for dramatic foliage and vibrant blooms. In local lore, some indigenous groups believed that its radiant flowers symbolized renewal and vitality, using the plant decoratively during seasonal festivals. Though rare in cultivation, it’s a gem among plant enthusiasts for its ornamental value and its role in tropical ecosystems as a pollinator favorite.

Dahlias are vibrant, tuberous plants known for their stunning, multi-petaled blooms that come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Native to Mexico, dahlias thrive in warm climates and are beloved for their dramatic appearance and long blooming season. The dahlia is Mexico's national flower, officially declared in 1963, symbolizing elegance, creativity, and the country’s rich biodiversity. These flowers have also gained international popularity, often featured in gardens and floral arrangements around the world. Dahlias are classified into several groups based on flower shape and size, each with its own unique form and appeal. You can find a variety of dahlias in bloom throughout the gardens, especially on Flower Garden Walk and our Ornamental Kitchen Garden. 

Besides featuring a beautiful and colorful collection of hardy and tropical waterlilies from many regions of the world, we also showcase the beauty of our ever-evolving plant exploration program at Waterlily Court. As part of our growing focus on global conservation, particularly in tropical regions, we have prioritized recent work in Tanzania. Since 2023, Peter Zale, Ph.D., our Director of Conservation Horticulture & Collections, has made three expeditions to the region, concentrating on Nymphaea stuhlmannii, a rare yellow waterlily endemic to just 20 square miles of central Tanzania. Threatened by habitat loss from rice farming and grazing by hippos and elephants, this species had not been cultivated for over a century. Working with local partners, we located wild populations and were able to import live tubers to Longwood. By understanding its cultural needs, we were able to hand-pollinate flowers and produce viable seeds for our own collection. Now, the lemon-yellow blooms of Nymphaea stuhlmannii can be seen in our Waterlily Court, with seeds preserved in our conservation seedbank to help ensure its survival for generations to come.

Widespread in its native home of South Africa, this plant favors loam or clay soils and can be found growing in full sun amongst rocks or grasslands. The orange flowers can be spotted from late summer, all through autumn, and attract birds and butterflies with their nectar, making the garden a hub of activity. Early South African dwellers (Khoisan) smoked the dried leaves and flowers, reporting a feeling of calm and euphoria, giving birth to the common name, wild dagga. The leaves are rough on the upper surface, with toothed margins and give off a herbal aroma when brushed or crushed.

Korean mums, are hardy perennials celebrated for their late-season blooms and impressive cold tolerance. Bred from crosses between traditional garden chrysanthemums and wild Korean species like Chrysanthemum sibiricum, these mums were developed to thrive in colder climates while delivering a burst of autumn color. Their daisy-like flowers tend to feature two-toned petals, in soft blends of pinks, peaches, yellows, and lavenders. Blooming in late fall when most other flowers have faded, Korean mums attract pollinators and add a graceful, natural charm to the garden year after year.

Chrysanthemums are divided into 13 classifications, each representing a distinct flower form.  The pompon mum has small, spherical blooms that are flat when opening, round when mature.  The size of the bloom can range from a small button to a large disbudded bloom almost four inches in diameter.  Mums are long-lasting cut flowers and you can often find pompon mums in mixed cut flower bouquets.

Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' is a charming, hardy perennial known for its soft, apricot-pink daisy-like blooms that appear in late fall, often blooming well into November. Beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike, it adds a welcome splash of color when most other flowers are fading. This heirloom variety is believed to have originated in the UK in the early 20th century, possibly introduced from Korea, and has since become a cottage garden favorite for its easygoing nature and graceful, informal habit. Once established, Sheffield Pink returns year after year, thriving in full sun with minimal fuss.