Plants of the Week: May 16

Mt. Cuba hosted a lecture and walk featuring native azaleas.  Did you know it is possible to have a native azalea in bloom from mid-spring through autumn? Rhododendron calendulaceum, the flame azalea, was featured on the walk.  Trusses of bright orange, scarlet, or yellow flowers appear in May.  Due to seedling variation, select while in bloom to obtain your color of choice.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Iris cristata is a small iris.  The narrow, pointed leaves range in height from 4-16 inches and bear one, occasionally two, violet-blue flowers.  Native to the Southern and Midwestern upper woodlands, I. cristata can be found from New York south to Florida and west to Arkansas. Look for I. cristata ‘Tennessee White’ at the 2011 Scott Associates Plant Sale.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Numerous Halesia diptera var. magniflora are planted throughout the Scott Arboretum.  The small to medium-size deciduous tree is prized for its bell-shaped flowers.  Native to the Florida Panhandle, the variety bears larger flowers than to the straight species.  The cultivar ‘PRN Select’ is slated for sale at the 2011 Scott Associates Plant Sale.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Native Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ is flowering in the Glade Garden alongside Iris cristata.  Golden star blooms in the spring, then sporadically in the fall.  The cultivar ‘Allen Bush’ bears a profusion of star-shaped bright yellow flowers.  C. virginianum ‘Eco Lacquered Spider’ will be available at the 2011 Scott Associates Plant Sale.  Photo credit: J. Coceano