What’s in Bloom

Lilium Roselily Ramona is a show-stopping Oriental hybrid lily known for its lush, double blooms that look almost like a rose, hence the name Roselily. Its large, soft white flowers are packed with extra petals, which means little to no pollen, making it cleaner for indoor arrangements and friendlier for allergy sufferers. While this lily is a modern cultivated hybrid, lilies of the genus Lilium are native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly Asia (especially China and Japan), Europe, and North America. One of its most appealing traits is its gentle, sweet fragrance, adding elegance and scent to gardens, patios, and floral displays without overwhelming the senses. Come visit our Conservatory and allow your senses to get swept up by the fragrances and many varieties of lilies in bloom this season! 

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!

Cestrum ‘Newellii’ is a cultivated variety of the Cestrum genus, a member of the Solanaceae family, which is a large and diverse family that includes over 2,500 species worldwide. The Solanaceae family includes familiar plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and ornamental species like nightshades and jasmine nightshade. Cestrum ‘Newellii’ is valued for its fragrant, tubular flowers and lush foliage, which attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies.  The Cestrum genus is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Many species in this genus grow naturally in Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America, thriving in warm, frost-free climates.

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!

Cymbidium is a genus of orchids in the Orchidaceae family. The name Cymbidium comes from the Greek word kymbe, meaning “boat,” referring to the shape of the orchid’s  lower petal or lip. Native to Asia and northern Australia, Cymbidiums are prized for their long-lasting, elegant flowers that bloom in the cooler months, ranging in color from soft pastels to vibrant shades. They are relatively easy to grow, thriving in bright, indirect light and well-drained growing media, making them a popular choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Lachenalia ′Romaud′ is a striking plant known for its vibrant and colorful blooms. They have strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing spikes of tubular flowers that are slightly fragrant in some species. Cape Cowslip is one of the easiest new bulbs to "force" into bloom on your windowsill. Still rather new to the industry, these hybrids are fool-proof versions of a genus once only known to rare bulb collectors.
 

Florist’s cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a charming cool-season plant loved for its upswept, butterfly-like flowers and beautifully marbled, heart-shaped leaves. Blooming in shades of pink, red, white, and purple, it brings cheerful color when many plants are resting. Cyclamen persicum is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, especially Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and surrounding areas, where it grows in cool, shady woodlands.  As a houseplant, cyclamen prefers bright, indirect light, cool temperatures (50–65°F), and well-drained soil. Water carefully from the base or saucer to avoid wetting the crown, keeping the soil lightly moist but never soggy. With the right care and a cool spot, florist’s cyclamen will reward you with weeks to months of colorful blooms, even when many other houseplants are taking a break.

The Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae), best known for the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), is a diverse plant family that includes thousands of species found throughout the world in many different geographic regions. Ranging from succulents to shrubs and trees, this family displays an impressive variety of forms and adaptations, many of which can be seen on display throughout the Conservatories. This example is Pascuita (Euphorbia leucocephala) a shrub or small tree native to Mexico and Central America, known for its masses of white bracts that give a snow-like appearance in cooler months. Like other Euphorbias, it produces a milky sap that is not poisonous but can cause skin or eye irritation. Due to its snow-like appearance, this species is a staple in our Christmas display. 

Look up as you enter into the East Conservatory to enjoy the blooming Crimson Bottlebrush! Callistemon citrinus is an evergreen shrub native to eastern Australia that can be grown in the Mid-Atlantic as a container plant. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and should be protected from frost by overwintering indoors. Its red, bottlebrush-like flowers are made up of prominent stamens that attract pollinators, while its narrow leaves contain aromatic oils and release a light lemon scent when crushed. Indoors, it performs best in bright light with good air circulation and occasional pruning.

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.

Native to South Africa from the Bredasdorp area eastwards to King William's Town, Pelargonium cordifolium usually grows in moist places such as in the fynbos (shrublands), forests or forest edges.  Heart-leaf pelargonium grows to 3-5 feet in nature in full sun to shade. The name of the genus Pelargonium is Greek in origin, deriving its name from the shape of the fruit, which resembles the beak of a stork. Cordifolium refers to the heart-shaped leaves, which is known as cordate in botanical terminology. At Longwood, Pelargonium cordifolium is a staple of our late winter Conservatory displays. 

Clerodendrum schmidtii, commonly known as Chains of Glory, is a rare tropical shrub to small tree in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to Southeast Asia, it is multi-stemmed with a graceful, weeping habit and is seldom seen outside of botanical garden collections. Each winter, it produces long, pendent, dark red racemes, often up to eighteen inches that gradually fill with delicate white flowers. Fully open flowers resemble white butterflies, while unopened buds appear as small white pearls, creating multiple stages of interest along each raceme. The blooming period is relatively short-lived. These plants are grown as standards, meaning a single stem is trained to the desired height before the top growth is pinched to encourage branching and form the plant’s “head.” It takes almost three years of growth and training for plants to reach display size. Some may be reused for a second year, but a new crop is propagated annually in case previously displayed plants are not suitable.