Our Plants

Considered the "Queen of Flowers" by European explorer Robert Schomburgk, Victoria amazonica was named in honor of Queen Victoria who took the throne the same year the genus Victoria was described.  Native to northern South America, it took some years before the royal water-platter was in cultivation in Europe.  But when it arrived, Victoria became so popular that the leaf inspired architecture including the Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibtion of 1851.

Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’ is a deciduous ornamental tree valued for its vibrant pink blooms, smooth mottled bark, and attractive summer foliage that turns reddish-orange in fall. Blooming from mid to late summer, ‘Sioux’ offers long-lasting color and thrives in full sun with good heat and drought tolerance. This cultivar was developed by the U.S. National Arboretum and named ‘Sioux’ in honor of the Native American Sioux Nation, as part of a series recognizing Indigenous tribes. Its upright, multi-stemmed form and resistance to powdery mildew make it a outstanding choice for both home landscapes and public plantings. Check out other cultivars of Lagerstroemia throughout the gardens!