Plants of the Week – May 7

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’, planted in the Entrance Garden between the Wister Center and Cunningham House, is a hybrid cultivar with many similarities to A. tabernaemontana. Two attributes that set Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ apart from the species include darker blue flowers and a more compact habit. The cultivar grows to 18” in height, does not require staking, and develops yellow fall color.  This perennial is ideal as an edging plant or in an open woodland setting. Photo credit: J. Coceano

The Oyama magnolia, Magnolia sieboldii, is unique among magnolias for the pendant to horizontally-borne ivory flowers produced in mid to late spring. Further inspection reveals contrasting red stamens. This deciduous plant takes on a large shrub to small tree habit.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

Situated near Slide Rock by David Stromeyer is a picturesque specimen of Cornus controversa. The giant dogwood is a wide-spreading tree beloved in its native China and Japan for its horizontal branches and profusion of flowers. Creamy white cymes 3-7 inches across appear in May-June. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Neoregelia ‘Fireball’ is a small bromeliad with a powerful visual presence. A clustering bromeliad, Neoregelia ‘Fireball’ colors to an intense burgundy-red when placed in full sun. Avoid shady locations as color regresses to greenish-red. The cultivar is featured along the flagstone walk leading to the Cunningham House. I have become more and more impressed with bromeliads, especially after witnessing firsthand their vigor when planted both in containers and in-ground, as well as their ability thrive indoors as a houseplant during the winter. Check other great bromeliads for your home garden at the Unusual Tropicals and Annuals Sale. Photo credit: J. Coceano