Rosa ‘KORfeining’ (MaxiVitaⓇ Rose)

Rosa ‘KORfeining’ is a perennial shrub that has orange pink blooms during the spring, summer, and occasionally early fall. ‘KORfeining’ can reach up to 60 to 70 cm and spread from 40 to 50 centimeters wide. This floribunda has medium blooms that are semi-double flowered and non fragrant. Floribundas have been around since the early 1900’s and their name suggests their habit. The shrub has abundant flowers and there are usually multiple blooms per stem. Find these roses blooming in the Dean Bond Rose Garden. Photo credit: R. Grogan

Aralia elata ‘Aureovariegata’

Aralia elata (angelica tree) is a small, deciduous tree native to China, Japan, Korea and eastern Russia. In the wild, Aralia elata can grow to a height of 20 to 40 feet tall, while in domestic gardens, the plant is usually seen as a shrub that reaches from 12 to 18 feet high.

The plant has thorny bark, topped with an umbrella of jagged-edged leaves.  In August, small white flowers bloom in large panicals near the ends of branches. Clusters of black drupes follow the flowers, which ripen from late summer to early fall. The cultivar ‘Aureovariegata’ is known for its yellow-edged leaflets. Find this unique tree near Kohlberg Hall, bordering the Isabelle Cosby Courtyard. Photo credit: R. Grogan

Euscaphis japonica 

Euscaphis japonica is native to valleys, open forests, and thickets in China, Japan and Korea. J.C. Raulston found this tree on the Korean Peninsula while on a U.S. National Arboretum collection expedition in 1985. Raulston brought seeds back to the U.S. to the North Carolina State Arboretum

The name Euscaphis is derived from the Greek words eu meaning good and scaphis meaning a vessel after the shape of the tree’s seed pods. Around this time, the heart-shaped seed pods can be seen, reaching full ripeness from September to October. When at peak ripeness, the bright red pods will split open to reveal small black seeds. You can find this tree adjacent to Beardsley and Trotter Halls. . Photo credit: R. Grogan

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Verbena bonariensis

 Verbena bonariensis (tall verbena) appears insignificant from far away, but its simplicity is what makes it interesting. The structure of the plant would remind you of a simple stick figure drawing. A long, upright stem branches into 3 separate stems which are each adorned with small bunches of lavender flowers. A few dark green, lance-shaped leaves can be seen on the plant’s upright stem. Verbena bonariensis is an herbaceous perennial that grows in clumps and blooms from June to frost. The flowers attract many pollinators, especially butterflies. Find small bunches of this plant by the Cunningham House driveway and behind the Wister Center.

Photo Credit: R.Grogan

Lobelia cardinalis

 Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) is a perennial native to Missouri where it grows near streams, sloughs, swamps and in low wooded areas. Lobelia cardinalis blooms in late summer from July to September. The plant has vibrant red flowers on upright stalks that usually reaches to 2 or 3 feet high. The bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Lobelia cardinalis can be found in the Glade Garden near the Science Center among a multitude of other native plants. While you are there, you can examine the “water stairway,” where rain is captured from the roof and flows down to a catch basin. This was designed to manage stormwater runoff in accordance with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building criteria.

Photo Credit: R.Grogan

Hibiscus ‘Lord Baltimore’

Between the Cunningham House and Wister Center you will find a patch of crimson Hibiscuses, which have the appeal of tropical flowering plants, but are less susceptible to cold temperatures. Hibiscus ‘Lord Baltimore’ is a hardy perennial that is upright and sometimes shruby. Robert Darby hybridized ‘Lord Baltimore’ from multiple hibiscus species from eastern U.S. wetlands, including H. coccineus, H. laevis, H. moscheutos, and H. palustris. Each flower blooms for only one day, but multiple flowers bloom during mid-summer to early fall, and occasionally up until the first frost. The plant has medium green, serrated leaves and a red tinted stem. It can spread from 2 to 3 feet, while vertical stems can reach up to 5 feet.

Photo Credit: J. Coceano

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Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’

If you take a walk through the Isabelle Cosby Courtyard, you will find striking, reddish-orange flowers towering overhead. Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’ is a climbing vine that produces trumpet-shaped blooms perfect for hummingbirds starting in early June and continuing in cycles throughout the duration of the summer. The serrated foliage is medium to dark.

The vine can reach an impressive 20 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 9 feet wide. Also known as the Chinese trumpetcreeper, Campsis grandiflora is less vigorous than its native counterpart Campsis radicans.

Photo Credit: A Bunting

Pycnanthemum muticum

Under the Pinus nigra near the Wister Center and Cunningham House you will find massive, silvery bushes of Pycnanthemum muticum. The plant’s given name suggests its appearance, originating from the Greek pyknos meaning dense and anthos meaning flower. Pycnanthemum muticum, or clustered mountainmint, is native to eastern North America where it naturally appears in meadows and other grassy areas.

Look closely and you will see plenty of pollinators flying around the clumps of flowers that have touches of pink. Smell the leaves and you will notice a robust mint smell, resembling peppermint. Photo Credit: R.Grogan

Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’

Near the Cunningham House you will find multiple Lagerstroemie ‘Sioux’ intermixed between other colorful foliage. A classic identifying feature of Lagerstroemia, or crapemyrtle, is its smooth, peeling bark. What sets this cultivar apart from the others is its vibrant pink flowers over dark green foliage. This contrast immediately catches your attention.

This specific cultivar blooms from July to August, while its leaves will transition to maroon in the fall. It is among one of the longest blooming deciduous trees, lasting as long as 120 days. As the common name would suggest, the flowers have a ruffled texture that shares visual characteristics of the popular party decoration, crepe paper.

Photo Credit: R. Robert

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Amsonia hubrichtii

Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas blue star) is a herbaceous perennial from the Apocynaceae, or dogbane family. While dogbane family is native to the South-central United States, Arkansas blue star is specifically native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. In the 1940s, Leslie Hubricht had first discovered Amsonia hubrichtii growing in the wild in Arkansas, becoming the inspiration for the common name. A. hubrichtii attracts butterflies and is largely deer resistant. Arkansas blue star grows in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. The plant can grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

From April to May, it produces light blue flowers that emerge in small clusters and resemble stars. The foliage transitions from a summer green to a golden fall display. A large patch of A. hubrichtii can be found near Whittier Hall in rows adjacent to hostas and ferns.

Photo Credit: R.Grogan

Lonicera x brownii  ‘Dropmore Scarlet’

Lonicera x brownii is a semi-evergreen climbing vine from the Caprifoliaceae, or honeysuckle family. The Caprifoliaceae family includes various decorative vines and shrubs that are primarily from temperate climates. Plants within this genus are fragrant with tubular or two-lipped flowers.  Lonicera x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet,’ commonly known as Brown’s honeysuckle, has striking trumpet-shaped scarlet flowers that bloom from mid-summer to late autumn. As the summer progresses, small red berries appear if temperatures are hot enough.

‘Dropmore Scarlet’ can grow anywhere from 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. This vine thrives in partial shade with rich humus soil and proper drainage. ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ with its vibrantly colored foliage can be found at the entrance to the Swarthmore Friends Meetinghouse.

Photo Credit: R.Grogan

Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’

Cotinus coggygria is a deciduous shrub that is part of the Anacardiaceae, the cashew family. Commonly known as a smoketree, this shrub spans from southern Europe to central China. Bunches of yellow airy flowers appear in the spring. The common name originates from the billowy hair-like appenditures that appear in pink, feathery clusters during summer months. As the name suggests, this shrub presents a smokiness from those airy groups of flowers.

‘Royal Purple’ is a European species that gets its name from the deep maroon spring foliage that matures into deep purple summer foliage. It arrived in the U.S. from Boskop, Holland in 1953. The shrub can reach anywhere from 10 to 15 feet high and spread 15 to 20 feet wide. This plant prefers rocky and nonporous soils, thriving in full sun. Cotinus coggygria can be found adjacent to Parrish Hall facing the Dean Bond Rose Garden.

Photo Credit: R. Grogan

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