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.

Within the Japanese bonsai world, Satsuki Azaleas inhabit a unique niche, with growers and enthusiasts that specialize in their development, display and appreciation. Their natural growth habit is normally a shrubby clump but with care and the correct technique they can be developed into thick trunk specimens such as this specimen.  There are over 3000 different varieties of satsuki. 'Kaho' shows natural variation in flower pattern and color, a trait known as chimerism. This makes every plant uniquely expressive. Part of the acclaimed Kennett Collection, 'Kaho' is a superb example of the upright style of bonsai. Training began in 1968.  Side note:  The name Satsuki means "fifth month" in Japanese, referencing May (and sometimes June), when these azaleas typically bloom, later than most other azaleas.

Spigelia marilandica commonly known as Pink-Root is a native to the United States, from Maryland south to Florida, west to Illinois and Texas.  Spigelia grows in moist woods, ravines, or along stream banks in partial to full shade. This perennial can grow up to two feet high and one and half feet wide. Pink-Root produces bright carmine red tubular flowers which are two inches long with a yellow inside, and attracts Ruby-Throated hummingbirds from late May to the end of August.

A stunning native shrub cultivar, Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur,’ starts off the growing season with glossy, green foliage and clusters of creamy white flowers in June. These later give way to multi-colored berries, set against wine red foliage in the fall. For the best fruit production, plant in groups to ensure cross-pollination. Reaching about six feet tall, ‘Winterthur’ will grow in rich, wet, shady sites as well as sunny, well-drained locations, and is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.

Another native milkweed in our Meadow Garden is the fragrant swamp milkweed. Like the other milkweeds, it is a favorite food source for monarch butterfly larva and has seeds that are attached to silky fibers that act like parachutes when released from their pods.  But unlike the others, this species does well in moist to wet sites and can even tolerate heavy clay soil.

Kalmia latifolia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is native to the eastern United States.  It grows 5-15 feet tall and has clusters of showy white to pink flowers that appear in May and June.  Commonly known as mountain-laurel, it grows in partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil like its rhododendron relatives.  Kalmia latifolia is the state flower of Pennsylvania.

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.