What’s in Bloom

This old-fashioned, climbing rose is the oldest rose growing in our formal Rose Garden, which was first planted by our founder, Pierre S. du Pont, in 1938.  ′Direktor Benschop′, also known as City of York, has a semi-double, fragrant white flower that blooms profusely in early June and then sporadically throughout the season.  It is also known to have dark green glossy foliage, and grows well in full sun and well-drained soil.

Cornus kousa, commonly known as Japanese flowering dogwood, is native to eastern Asia. This tree delights in all four seasons. In late spring, after the foliage has emerged, it has an abundance of creamy white bracts which are long lasting.  Flowers are followed by bright, red fruit that is a compound berry about one inch in diameter and resembles a raspberry.  These fruits are edible and a sweet and delicious addition to the tree's ornamental value.  The deep red fall foliage and the stunning exfoliated bark give fall and winter interest.  Cornus kousa is slower growing and later blooming than other dogwood trees. With age it reaches 30 feet high and can look quite stately

Ninebark is a native, deciduous shrub that can grow to 10 feet tall and is very hardy.  Mature branches have exfoliating bark that peels off to reveal a variety of colors underneath. The flowers bloom from May through June and are white with a hint of pale pink. ‘Seward’ is a dwarf selection that has purple summer foliage and a graceful arching habit. The shrub prefers full or partial shade and is tolerant of various soil types and will even tolerate drought.

Amsonia hubrichtii was named  “Perennial Plant of the Year” by the Perennial Plant Association in 2011. This species is truly distinctive and extraordinary, with clusters of powder-blue flowers in April and May. It grows to a height and width of 2 to 3 feet. In the fall, its golden-orange color rivals the best trees and shrubs. This clump-forming herbaceous perennial prefers full sun to partial shade and is native to the central and northeastern United States. Additionally, it is deer and disease resistant.

This hybrid peony is a cross between a tree and a herbaceous peony.  Its beautiful, fragrant flowers can be seen now in our Peony Garden along with many other varieties.

'Garden Treasure' is one of the hybrid peony varieties that can be seen in bloom now in the Peony Garden.  Sometimes called intersectional or Itoh peonies, these beautiful plants are hybrid crosses between herbaceous and tree peonies. They have the leaf shape of tree peonies, but die back to the ground each winter like a herbaceous peony.  The long lasting blossoms are lightly fragrant and come in some unique colors, like yellow, not seen in typical herbaceous peonies.