Plants of the Week: May 6

Paeonia ‘Nike’ is a sight to behold! Blooms seeped in shades of coral, pink, peach, and gold morph in saturation as flowers progress through their short, but stunningly beautiful lifecycle. ‘Nike’ is a Nassos Daphis hybrid sporting semi-double flowers are fragrant and rise above the foliage on strong stems. While ‘Nike’ is a personal favorite, there are dozens of other not-to-be-missed tree peonies in bloom around Clothier Hall. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Many species of Iris are beginning to flower, including the familiar scented bearded iris, Iris germanica, and the native crested iris, Iris cristata. While perhaps lesser known, Iris tectorum, is commonly called roof iris because it has, in the past, been grown on thatched roofs in Japan and China. Averaging 15” in height, a size that puts its slightly shorter than I. germanica and taller than I. cristata, I. tectorum boasts large, 6″ beardless, vivid lilac-purple flowers with falls that are crested white. Plants spread rapidly when happy, though never overly aggressive. Consider growing in the front of the perennial border as seen in plantings in front of Pearson Hall and the entrance to the Amphitheatre in Parrish West Circle. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Fagus sylvatica, the European beech, was brought to America in the mid-1700s and has been a popular ornamental tree ever since. The cultivar ‘Riversii’ bears large, glossy 5” leaves that emerge deep purple in spring, then fade to purple-green in summer. Young trees are upright in habit, then spread outward with age to form a 50 – 60’ globe making a stunning specimen plant. A 2013 accession can be found in the lawn area between Pearson Hall and Trotter Hall. Photo credit: J. Coceano