Staff Picks
This is the lovely Euphorbia marginata ‘Mt. Snow.’ We grew this attractive annual from seed this year that was purchased through Johnny’s Selected Seed of Maine. The pure white variegation is a wonderful accent in the garden and it makes a long-lasting cut flower. Find it growing around the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. – Jen, horticulturist
One can’t do a plant pick right now without mentioning the spectacular Hibiscus ‘Midnight Marvel.’ Yes, it is perennial! No, it does not need to be dug up and stored over the winter! And yes, it dies fully back to the ground every winter! A true visual marvel indeed, right out through the Visitor Center doors on the Great Lawn. – Syretha, horticulturist
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Double Click Cranberry’ is gorgeous in the Burpee Kitchen Garden. – Diane, horticulturist
This Echinacea ‘Supreme Cantaloupe’ pops through a sea of Ammi major ‘Green Mist’ in the Cleaver Event Lawn, offering a nice contrast of colors and textures. – Anna, horticulturist
As the season progresses, the new leaves on the top of this Pycnanthemum muticum (mountain mint) become silvery-white in color, outside of the Bosarge Family Education Center. The Mountain Mint has small pink flowers which attract many pollinators, including bees. – Sarah, public horticulture intern
Check out the hot pink, Gomphrena ‘Pink Zazzel’ in the Alfond Children’s Garden. Part of the Rainbow Terrace, you can’t miss this little charmer! The flowers are large for a Gomphrena reaching nearly 2″ in diameter. A drought tolerant annual, it was a perfect choice for this year’s Xeric-inspired ephemeral garden. – Jen, horticulturist
Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Blue River II’ (Common Rose Mallow) is doing its late summer dazzle by the upper pond in the Lerner Garden. – Will, horticulturist
You can see the gorgeous color from Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodthree’ Blue Chiffon Rose-of-Sharon from across the garden in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden! – Sarah, public horticulture intern
In the Perennial and Rose Garden, the Verbena bonariensis (Purple-top Vervain) is hard to miss but notable nonetheless! This voracious self-seeded is a great addition to any full sun garden, and can tolerate heat and drought quite well. Be sure to deadhead before it goes to seed unless you’re looking forward to many, many more each year! – Syretha, horticulturist
This Rare and Extraordinary morning glory is Ipomoea nil ‘Yama Blue,’ in the Burpee Kitchen Garden. – Diane, horticulturist
