Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ ornamental oregano…the sweetly nodding pink bracts look great in the container leading up the steps to the Cleaver Event Lawn. – Anna, Horticulturist
Shout Out! To this perfect perennial! Crocosmia ‘George Davidson’ named after the late British scientist and professor who thankfully bred this stunning Montebretia. It pairs beautifully with blue fescue and magenta Nemesia at the entrance of the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. – Jen, Horticulturist
A crowd favorite, Allium sphaerocephalon, or Drumstick Allium, is blooming in the Arbor Garden! Here it’s been wonderfully paired with Eryngium planum ‘Blue Glitter.’ An extra plus is honey bees love it as well! – Syretha, Horticulturist
This dahlia ‘Appleblossom’ surrounding the Cleaver Event Lawn has lovely yellow and peach shades. – Anna, Horticulturist
This Campanula takesimana (Korean Bellfower) is located to the right of the stone steps in the Woodland Garden, and is a beautiful perennial with very long, tubular, bell-shaped flowers that are pale lilac to pink. Pay attention, though, the plant wants to spread. – Sharmon, Director of Horticulture
I like Azaleas and consider their season to be long over but am always surprised by this late variety, Rhododendron ‘Weston’s Sparkler’. Not only does it light up the edges of Blueberry Pond, it’s scent is truly divine. Take a stroll by Sal’s Bear and stop for a moment to appreciate this late bloomer. – Jen, Horticulturist
In the Great Lawn Ledge Bed Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ is in its full, fluffy glory! This drought resistant perennial is great for mid to late summer interest – even after the flowers finish blooming the seed head is still visually compelling. – Syretha, Horticulturist
It’s Dahlia time! And I can’t stop staring at Creme de Cassis in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. Our Dahlias are just beginning their show so be sure to get your eyes filled with some of the many Dahlia cultivars we have planted around the gardens this year. – Jen, Horticulturist
The vibrant colors and the stiff papery texture make the ‘Tom Thumb’ Strawflower mix a fun addition to the annuals planted around the Cleaver Event Lawn. – Anna, Horticulturist
This time of year one of the plants I get asked about the most are our Rodgersias. These tough perennials have leathery leaves and an interesting flower structure with bracts that hold color long past the flowers actually blooming. Here, Rodgersia sambucifolia shows off its color and red-tipped leaves in the Arbor Garden. – Syretha, Horticulturist
These Agapanthus ‘Twister’ are truly something special. Found among five different Agapanthus cultivars growing on the Rainbow Terrace in the Alfond Children’s Garden, these graceful plants are also known as Lily of the Nile. A member of the onion family, Twister boasts strapped foliage and a firecracker of a flower with white blooms with purple at the base. Blooming from July-September, come and enjoy them before they’re gone. – Jen, Horticulturist
