Plants of the Week – March 26

Every inch of real estate on Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’ is covered in bloom! The U.S. National Arboretum introduced the cultivar touting that the compact plant is “covered from stem to stern with vivid, rosy mauve flowers in early spring.”  Despite the prolific flower set, C. chinensis ‘Don Egolf’ produces no seed, is disease resistant and slowly grows to 9’ making it an ideal choice for small gardens. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Daphne genkwa (Hackenberry Group), located in the Harry Wood Garden, is commonly known as the lilac daphne for the abundance of lavender flowers which bear resemblance to Syringa. The deciduous shrub can reach 5’ in height. This clone was raised by Don Hackenberry from wild collected seed initially obtained from the wilds of China by the Beijing Botanic Garden. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Magnolia ‘Star Wars’, near the Sproul Observatory, bears a profusion of bright pink flowers. The cultivar is the result of a cross between M. campbellii, from which it inherited its flower shape, and M. liliiflora, which imparted the rich tepal coloration. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Edgeworthia are still in flower, including the rarely seen E. chrysantha ‘Red Dragon’. Perhaps more peachy-orange in coloration than red, the cultivar nonetheless is a different twist on the white and pale yellow that is typical of the genus. The enticing clove-like fragrance is an added bonus. Photo credit: J. Coceano