Plants of the Week – May 28

Propagules of Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’, propagated last summer in the Wister Greenhouses, were shared with the Swarthmore College class of 2012 following graduation. The suckering shrub is in full flower, emitting a lightly sweet scent. The cultivar, introduced by the Scott Arboretum in 1982, is particularly prolific in the production of pendulous white flowering racemes. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Allium christophii, seen here growing amongst Nasella tenuissima in the Nason Garden, is an ideal bulb to grow amongst companion plants. Neighboring plants help mask the sparse and often browning foliage allowing the flowers to shine unobstructed. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Last fall, seed of Orlaya grandiflora was shared with us. Wister Greenhouse volunteers sowed the seed and tended to the seedlings over the winter months. Several dozen of the rare wildflowers native to the island of Crete were planted in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden. Pure white 4-5” flowers sit atop wispy foliage. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Geranium ‘Orion’, planted along Trotter Hall complements both the stonework and soft yellow blooms of a nearby iris. The perennial is noted for its brilliant blue-purple flowers with darker venation. Other attributes include a long bloom time, late May and then sporadically throughout the summer, and red fall color.   Photo credit: J. Coceano