Main Fountain Garden District

‘Starry Starry Night’ is a hardy, rose mallow hybrid with large flowers up to 8 inches across that blooms from July to September.  These flowers, which attract hummingbirds, are a stand out against the plant’s dark purple foliage.  This rose mallow grows to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide and performs best in moist soils and full sun. You may associate hibiscus with tropical plants, but within the parentage of ‘Starry Starry Night’ are species of hibiscus native the eastern United States.

Melinis nerviglumis 'Savannah', commonly known as ruby grass, is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass native to southern Africa. It features soft blue-green foliage that takes on rich red tones in the fall, adding seasonal color to the landscape. In mid to late summer, it produces showy, 3 to 4-inch-long plumes of ruby-pink flowers that gradually fade to creamy white and persist well into autumn. The airy blooms rise about a foot above the foliage, making them excellent for both fresh and dried floral arrangements. Growing to just 6 to 12 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide, 'Savannah' is ideal for borders, containers, and small garden spaces.  Its drought tolerance, deer resistance, and long-lasting ornamental value make it a versatile choice for low-maintenance plantings.

Hibiscus moscheutos, commonly known as hardy hibiscus or rose mallow, is native to wetlands, marshes, and streambanks of the eastern and central United States. Its spectacular flowers, up to 12 inches across, made it a sought-after plant in Europe during the 18th century, where it was admired as an exotic curiosity from North America. Despite its tropical appearance, this hardy perennial returns each summer and provides weeks of nectar-rich blooms for pollinators.

Culver’s Root, is a tall, graceful native perennial celebrated for its elegant spires of tiny white to pale lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer. These slender, candelabra-like flower spikes rise above whorled leaves on sturdy stems, adding vertical interest to meadows, prairies, and pollinator gardens. It is a magnet for a wide range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, moths, and wasps, and is especially valuable for specialist pollinators. Look for a variety of cultivars on display in other areas of the gardens.  

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ is a popular cultivar developed in the Netherlands and introduced by Proven Winners for its dependable performance and showy blooms. Large, upright flower clusters emerge white to pale green in midsummer before maturing to creamy white, pink, and rose. Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, this adaptable shrub is valued for its sturdy stems, long bloom season, and excellent cut flowers. Be sure to visit our Idea Garden, where a graceful, sweeping hedge of 'Limelight' hydrangeas greets visitors at the entrance to the Annual Corridor.