What’s in Bloom

'Jelena' is an early-flowering selection of Hamamelis × intermedia, a hybrid between Japanese witch-hazel (Hamamelis japonica) and Chinese witch-hazel (Hamamelis mollis). These large, deciduous shrubs provide excellent winter interest with their slightly fragrant, coppery orange, spider-like flowers that start to appear in mid- to late January.  'Jelena' is easy to grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil.  The winter flowers are best illuminated by full sun and are best shown against a dark green background of conifers or broadleaf evergreens.

Safari Orange aloe, Aloe ‘ANDora’, provides winter color thanks to showy spikes of brilliant orange flower clusters, which attract hummingbirds when grown outside. This hybrid Safari Orange is a result of a breeding program that started in South Africa in 1973 that was looking for hybrid aloe selections that had ideal horticultural characteristics such as vigor, flowering consistency, and disease resistance. This perennial succulent needs excellent drainage when grown in pots.

Coleonema pulchrum is a medium to large-sized billowy shrub with aromatic soft needle-like leaves and small star-like pink flowers. The flowers are held at the ends of slender branches that move with the breeze. The name "breath of heaven" comes from the plant’s fragrant pink or white flowers. The smell is sweet and delicate, making it a favorite in gardens and landscapes. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to support local wildlife. 

 

Cymbidium are native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Australia and are known to carry many, long-lasting flowers on each stem. These orchids come in a variety of colors and are often used in cut flower arrangements.

Clivia miniata is a significant species in our indoor display, with beautiful blossoms adding sweeps of color to our West Conservatory from late winter into spring. Native to southern Africa and a member of the amaryllis family, it is known for its large umbels of orange, yellow, red, or even green flowers that stand above shiny deep-green or variegated strap-like foliage.

Oscularia caulescens is a low growing succulent shrub from the South-Western Cape of South Africa. This plant smothers the ground with wiry dark pink stems and blue-green 3-angled fleshy leaves that have small, often reddish teeth. Slightly fragrant, yellow-centered lavender-pink flowers are closed in the morning but open, often to cover the plant, in the afternoon. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words "caulos" meaning "stem" and the adjective suffix "escent" meaning "like" in reference to this plant having a well-developed above ground stem. The true beauty of this trailing plant is that it can withstand high temperatures and extreme environmental conditions without showing signs of stress. It attracts butterflies.

 

Laurus nobilis or bay laurel is a fragrant, evergreen tree or a large shrub, native to the Mediterranean region. Preferring well-drained soil in full sun, bay laurel is usually grown in containers in temperate climates, since it is not winter hardy. It is typically trained as a topiary in various shapes for patios, herb and formal gardens. The aromatic, glossy leaves of bay laurel are known for their culinary uses in the kitchen, often added to soups and stews. Its leaves and branches are also known to have been used for creating wreaths and crowns worn to symbolize victory or honor.

The small, fragrant, nodding white flowers of snowdrops are a welcome sight in February.  These small bulbs naturalize in woodland gardens with rich, moist soil.  Native to the eastern Mediterranean region and southern Ukraine, these perennials combine well with winter-aconite and witch-hazels.

One of the most interesting features of many Grevillea species is their intricate, tube-shaped flowers that attract specific pollinators. The flowers' long tubular shapes are ideal for birds with long beaks, while their colors and nectar production make them irresistible. It's a great example of co-evolution between plant and pollinator. Although the tree is native to Australia, it was originally introduced to many parts of the world, including Africa and the Pacific Islands, where it became an exotic ornamental plant. Because of its rapid growth and long-lasting wood, some people referred to it as the "Australian timber that traveled the world.“ The Aboriginal people of Australia have a long history of utilizing grevillea plants in a variety of ways. Some species of Grevillea, particularly the larger, woody shrubs and trees, have a remarkable ability to regenerate after bushfires, which are common in Australia. Grevilleas have adapted to fire-prone environments by having a "fire-resistant" seed bank. Even though the plant might burn down in a fire, the seeds in the soil are often able to survive the heat and sprout anew once the fire has passed. 


 

Leucospermum ‘Brandi Dela Cruz’ is a South African shrub known around the world as a popular cut flower. In South Africa, it is a popular garden plant producing bright orange pincushion flowers that are 5 inches wide and held on 30-inch stems. The genus name Leucospermum comes from the Greek word 'leukos' meaning "white", and 'sperma' meaning "seed". This is in reference to the white fleshy skin that covers the seeds. This evergreen shrub that will grow upwards of 7 feet tall if the flowers are not cut annually.