Plants of the Week by Kaiden Lytle, Summer Education Intern

Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ – black-eyed Susan 

If you have visited the Scott Arboretum & Gardens recently, you may have seen the giant drift of bright yellow flowers in the Harry Wood Garden. You might even have been lucky enough to see some matching, bright yellow birds flying in and out of them! These, of course, are the Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’, or black-eyed Susan, and their faithful counterpart the American goldfinch. This plant is a herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family, and the parent species is a common member of many a sunny home garden. 

Black-eyed Susans are as hardy as they are pretty, and will tolerate both hot and humid summers, and hot and dry summers (though only drought tolerant once established). Their distinctive blooms feature daisy-like yellow flowers that usually feature a dark brown or black ‘eye’ of florets. This disk of florets in the middle of the bloom is what the American goldfinches love. This species, like many goldfish snacks, have prominent seed heads or capsules that the species loves to pry and nibble. Often found in drifts or masses, these plants typically form clumps as they grow. Rudbeckia is popular for large container plantings, perennial borders, mixed native plantings, and cutting gardens.

The selected cultivar ‘American Gold Rush’ differs not in coloration, but rather the form and function, appearing compact with small foliage (~2 inches) and bred with a specific resistance to septoria leaf spot: a fungal disease that causes small dark spots on the leaves of the plant, starting on the bottom leaves and working its way up, and most transmissible in very moist/humid environments. The cultivar is notably smaller than its seed parent, Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii, reaching about 1.5 – 2 feet in height. 

Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can find ‘American Gold Rush’ in the Harry Wood Garden and the John W. Nason Texture Garden.

Stewartia sinensis  – Chinese stewartia

Just on the edge of the Dean Bond Rose Garden lies a small flowering tree with beautiful mottled brown bark. Easy to miss, especially out of season, this hidden feature is called Stewartia sinensis, or Chinese stewartia. This member of the Theaceae family can be found as a small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub, and is native to central and southeast China. Notably, the latin species name sinensis means “from China.” 

In the gardening world, Stewartia sinensis is usually selected for its ornamental value, as the bark is particularly eye-catching. Paper-like strips peel in a variety of reds and browns, leaving a lighter brown to sand-colored trunk underneath. The tree form typically adheres to a strict, oval shape, but young saplings can open up in the upper canopy as they mature. In early to mid summer, you can expect white blooms of small, fragrant, bowl-shaped flowers, usually accompanied by a small army of buzzing bees. This stewartia is also an autumn favorite. The tree will keep some color in your garden as the foliage turns reddish-purple and is adorned with woody capsules late into the season. 

Given its mature size, branching habits, and woody nature, this plant is usually favored for an accent in a home or pollinator garden, or a stand-alone in your yard. If you need inspiration, this specimen helps lock in the outer border of the Rose Garden, where it drapes gently over the northeastern edge of the garden. 

Euscaphis japonica  – Korean sweetheart tree

Last this week, but certainly not least, is Euscaphis japonica, commonly known as the Korean sweetheart tree (and recently going as Staphylea japonica). This hardy perennial shrub is currently in its own genus Euscaphis, within the bladdernut family, and is pretty rare to have in cultivation. The genus is currently up for debate as taxonomists consider reclassifying it as a member of the specific bladdernut genus Staphylea, rather than keep it separate on its own. In the Arboretum, this plant is still listed under its solo genus. 

First discovered in the horticulture world in 1985 on the Korean Peninsula, Euscaphis japonica was collected as seeds and sent to the North Carolina State Arboretum for assessment. Because of that preliminary assessment, and subsequent research, I can tell you with certainty what this plant likes and dislikes. It does best in full sun and well drained soils, and it prefers cooler summers to the hot and dry. When considering it for your garden, note that transplants have more success than attempting growing from seed. 

In terms of appearance, the Korean sweetheart tree has irregular, open-form branching, with striking white-striped brown bark. Foliage is unremarkable, except in fall when the leaves turn mahogany. Flowers are small and white to yellow, and appear in early summer. The big draw of this plant, besides the bark, are its heart-shaped seed capsules – hence the “sweetheart” title! They turn an intense hot pink to red color in the fall and pop open to reveal shiny black seeds within. 

Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can find Euscaphis japonica in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden and on the eastern side of Beardsley Hall.

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Public Horticulture Intern Katrien de Waard discusses how to water your garden beds.

Tune into the Gardener’s Almanac to learn what we are doing in the garden at this moment. Learn from Scott Arboretum staff which plants we are pruning, planting, weeding and which pests we are monitoring and removing right now. This virtual almanac is a great reference guide for gardeners.

The post Gardener’s Almanac: Watering your Perennials appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Euphorbia corollata — flowering spurge

Next time you walk through the Dean Bond Rose Garden, take notice of all the perennials intentionally planted throughout the beds. While older rose gardens tend to consist of a monoculture of roses, modern rose gardens plant perennials throughout the roses. The issue with solely planting roses is that disease spreads fast, and pesticides must be sprayed every couple weeks. In 2012, Scott Arboretum transitioned from a monoculture of roses to perennials inter-planted because they attract beneficial insects and establish physical barriers between each rose plant.

Euphorbia corollata is one of the perennials that are currently blooming in the Rose Garden. When I first saw this plant in the Rose Garden I thought it was Gypsophila paniculata, also known as baby’s breath. However, since baby’s breath is an invasive plant in the United States, flowering spurge is a common native alternative. Blooming from June through August, this plant loves full sun and attracts many pollinators. Flowering spurge can also tolerate many soil types, making it adaptable to different environments. Next time you pass through the Dean Bond Rose Garden, appreciate the beauty of the perennials inter-planted amongst the roses. 

Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’ — obedient plant 

Located in the Cut-Flower Display Garden is a striking plant named obedient plant, featuring beautiful pink blooms along its stalk. When you first think of an obedient plant, you may think of one that doesn’t spread too much. However, that is not the case for Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’ since it spreads in clumps and by rhizomes. In actuality, the common name comes from the flowers’ ability to stay in place after gently pushing them to the side. Instead of springing back like most plants, they return back to normal over the course of a few hours. Besides the unique properties of the flowers, make sure to take notice of the square stem since it is in the Lamiaceae family. 

The obedient plant blooms mid-summer to the first frost and is also resistant to deer. They’re perfect for many home gardens because they love full sun to partial sun and are quick growing. Taller plants may flop over, so staking should also be expected for this plant. Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love visiting Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’, so keep an eye out for these vibrant visitors. 

Helianthus × multiflorus ‘Sunshine Daydream’ — double perennial sunflower 

While this plant may look like a dahlia, it is actually Helianthus × multiflorus ‘Sunshine Daydream’ — a type of sunflower. It originated as a genetic mutation from Helianthus ‘Capenoch Star’ and was discovered by Tim McGinty in 2006 at North Creek Nurseries. 

What makes this particular perennial sunflower stand out from the others is its longer flowering season from summer into fall. Not to mention, it forms in clumps and is drought tolerant. At your next visit to Scott Arboretum, make sure to check out this gorgeous sunflower in the Upper Biostream.

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Public Horticulture Intern Katrien de Waard shares tips and tricks to watering your containers.

Tune into the Gardener’s Almanac to learn what we are doing in the garden at this moment. Learn from Scott Arboretum staff which plants we are pruning, planting, weeding and which pests we are monitoring and removing right now. This virtual almanac is a great reference guide for gardeners.

The post Gardener’s Almanac: Watering your Containers appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Public Horticulture Intern Katrien de Waard discusses how to water your lawn.

Tune into the Gardener’s Almanac to learn what we are doing in the garden at this moment. Learn from Scott Arboretum staff which plants we are pruning, planting, weeding and which pests we are monitoring and removing right now. This virtual almanac is a great reference guide for gardeners.

The post Gardener’s Almanac: Watering Your Lawn appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Summer Horticulture Intern Jake Cammarota discusses sumac and making sumac-ade, a tangy, lemonade-like drink from our native sumac.

Tune into the Gardener’s Almanac to learn what we are doing in the garden at this moment. Learn from Scott Arboretum staff which plants we are pruning, planting, weeding and which pests we are monitoring and removing right now. This virtual almanac is a great reference guide for gardeners.

The post Gardener’s Almanac: Sumac appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Plants of the Week by Kaiden Lytle, Summer Education Intern

Agastache foeniculum – anise hyssop 

This week’s first highlighted plant is prominently featured in my favorite children’s book in the Scott Horticultural Library: Mirabelle Visits a Garden by Gregg Tepper and Michael Muller. In addition, it also belongs to a plant family with square stems and ostentatious scents. Does that narrow it down? No? I am talking about Agastache foeniculum, of course, commonly known as anise hyssop, from the Lamiaceae family. This herbaceous perennial has got a lot going on, with its fragrant foliage, edible seeds, striking form, and flowering patterns. 

Anise hyssop has an erect growing habit and tall stems that terminate in spikes of small flowers, arranged in crowded whorls. The blooms have a licorice-like scent, and are commonly included as flavoring in food and drink (Mirabelle Visits a Garden has a scratch and sniff sticker that illustrates this). The seeds have a similar flavor, and people often use them in baked confections. You can harvest these attributes beyond the summer, as the flowering period stretches from the end of July into late autumn! This plant does best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a to 8b, and the flowering season will shrink as you extend to the lower limits of this range. Its native range spreads throughout the Midwest, and anise hyssop is a common prairie dweller. Albeit there are no prairies within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, Agastache foeniculum resides in the gravel culture beds along Field House Lane, as well as tucked away in the corner of the Dining and Community Commons’ West Garden. 

Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ – eastern redbud

Next is an award-winning variety of a familiar native woody plant: Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’. The eastern redbud is a deciduous tree in the legume family Fabaceae and is widespread across eastern and central North America. Its large, ovate, heart-shaped leaves are a distinctive identifier, as are its legume-esque seed pods. This cultivar sports a captivating form and foliage, bred in 2010 from a cross of Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’, a weeping variety, and ‘Forest Pansy’, which has maroon-purple foliage. So captivating, in fact, that it secured the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit! 

Not only flaunting stunning foliage, ‘Ruby Falls’ also displays tiny, pink, pea-shaped flowers on bright red stems in the spring before leaves emerge. As spring matures into the summer months, this tree further delights as the foliage turns burgundy before settling into its late summer greens. All of this is why ‘Ruby Falls’ deserves a prominent spot in your garden. Many people favor ‘Ruby Falls’ as a specimen plant, which has the tendency to demand attention in a garden space. It’s flashy! Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can spot ‘Ruby Falls’ cascading down the stone wall on the western side of Pearson Hall, as well as in the Isabelle Cosby Courtyard (one last fun fact – the tree that is trailing down that stone wall is actually three individuals, shaped into a redbud waterfall!). 

Metasequoia glyptostroboides – dawn redwood

Last in the lineup this week is the king of Cupressaceae: Metasequoia glyptostroboides, or the dawn redwood. It’s fitting that this plant is last as it is the oldest featured species this week, clocking in at around 50 million years old. Native to central and western China, it was first described from fossil records in 1941 – NOT from a living specimen – which is unbelievably cool. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that researchers discovered living examples of dawn redwoods during a remote expedition in China. Notably, the common name “dawn” refers to the “dawn of time,” as a nod to the tree’s ancient origins!

Not only king in genealogical history, this deciduous conifer is also royally gargantuan, towering to 100 feet tall and 25 feet wide at maturity! Breathtaking when fully grown, the dawn redwood’s feathery foliage helps to filter sunlight to lower layers, as well as adding another layer of beauty to this species. In the fall, the foliage will turn from light green to copper before shedding. 

Now, I would not recommend planting this tree in your garden unless you are truly a diehard fan. These trees require a plethora of open space, deep soils, and an idyllic spot to dominate the garden’s focus. At the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, the most prominent display of this “living fossil” lines the aptly named Metasequoia Alleé, between the Lang Performing Arts Center and Kohlberg Hall.

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Plants of the Week by Natalie Ipock, Summer Horticulture Intern

Rhododendron prunifolium ‘Hohman’ – plumleaf azalea

Blooming bright red on the edge of our Rhododendron Collection, you’ll find Rhododendron prunifolium ‘Hohman’. The cultivar ‘Hohman’ highlights the beautiful red blooms with a hint of orange. Growers commonly use Rhododendron prunifolium to develop late-blooming azalea cultivars. Usually, the bloom time for rhododendrons ends by June, but this species helps extend the blooming season to September. 

Rhododendron prunifolium is only found in the Chattahoochee River Valley between Georgia and Alabama. Because of its scarcity, it is one of the rarest azaleas in the eastern United States. In 1918 Arnold Arboretum – located in Boston, MA – became the first to grow this azalea outside of its native range. 

When choosing a planting location, make sure the soil is acidic and well drained. It is a deciduous shrub that prefers partial to full shade. This species is great for attracting pollinators during the summer and can grow about 8-12 feet tall. You can find this azalea off the pathway to the Amphitheater in front of the Scott Map House. 

Poliothyrsis sinensis – pearl-bloom tree

In 1993 J. C. Raulston gifted six pearl-bloom tree seedlings to the Scott Arboretum & Gardens. While only two remain, they’ve grown into magnificent, blooming trees and are a must-see on a mid-summer visit to the Arboretum. The gorgeous, pale yellow flowers perfectly outline the old observatory on the Cunningham House. 

The pearl-bloom tree gets its common name due to the flower buds, which do not fully open, appearing pearl-like. Poliothyrsis sinensis is native to central and eastern China on deciduous mountainsides and is the only plant in its genus. It can grow up to 40 feet high with a 25-foot spread. 

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit III’ – Pink Velour® common crapemyrtle 

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit III’ is a deciduous tree that thrives in a full sun environment. It blooms a magenta pink color from July through September and has textured exfoliating bark year-round. This common crapemyrtle’s spread and height can reach up to 12 feet, but in the deep southern US, it may exceed 12 feet and need to be cut back. In the fall, this cultivar’s leaves turn orange-brown in color. 

Although many Lagerstroemia suffer from powdery mildew, the Pink Velour® common crapemyrtle is resistant to such diseases. Dr. Carl E. Whitcomb was the original breeder for this plant and patented it in 2020. You can find these Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit III’ along the western wall of Parrish Hall.

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Plants of the Week by Caelon Shugrue, Public Horticulture Intern

Eryngium yuccifolium – rattlesnake master

With stunning spiked globes for flowers, Eryngium yuccifolium is sure to catch your eye – it sure caught mine as I was strolling through the Whittier meadow. While it may look similar to a thistle, rattlesnake master is a member of the carrot family, containing many of the same oils and secondary compounds found in parsley, carrot, and parsnip. Break and crush a leaf and you smell the similarities!

Rattlesnake master can grow up to 6 feet tall in optimal sites. It is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun with sandy soils. Growing rattlesnake master in your garden would provide an interesting variation in texture. As an herbaceous perennial, it can be planted in shrub borders and also fits well in meadow plantings.

Vernonia baldwinii – Baldwin’s ironweed

Buzzing with pollen-covered bees, Veronia baldwinii sports deep purple flowers clustered in corymbs. These blooms last from late summer to early fall and attract bees, butterflies, and curious plant-enthusiasts. Once the flowers are done, they give way to rusty-colored seed clusters. These rusty-colored seeds, in addition to the rusty tinge in the fading flowers and the tough stems, give the plant certain “iron-like” qualities, hence the common name “ironweed.”

Also found in the Whittier meadow, Baldwin’s ironweed can grow in most conditions, whether moist or dry. It is native to Missouri where it can be found across the state in woods, meadows, prairies, glades, fields, and disturbed areas. It is very successful in self-seeding and is thus easily grown from seed.

Lagerstroemia ‘Hopi’ – hybrid crapemyrtle

Found tucked away in the Lilac Collection, this hybrid crapemyrtle stands out due to its stunning, hot pink blooms. Wild crapemyrtles are red or rose-colored, but many cultivated varieties have been developed with new flower colors including white, pink, mauve, purple, and lavender. Originally native to the Himalayas, crapemyrtles have been naturalized in the U.S. as far as Florida and Arkansas. In addition to its impressive flowers, crapemyrtles have interesting multicolored, exfoliating bark. 

The ‘Hopi’ cultivar is one of many mildew-resistant hybrids developed by the National Arboretum in Washington D.C., which named these cultivars after Native American tribes. The Hopi tribe has a reservation in Hopitutskwa, located in northeastern Arizona.

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Plants of the Week by Kaiden Lytle, Summer Education Intern

If you’ve ever wished you could add plants to your garden that make it look like alien life has taken hold, then stay tuned for this week’s ‘Plants of the Week’ selections!

Allium ‘Millenium’ – ornamental onion

First off is a spiky, globular, blooming perennial that will make passersby stop and marvel at its unique shape. I am talking about Allium ‘Millenium’, otherwise known as ornamental onion. This plant is often used in garden borders as the purple color and planetary shape is eye-catching. Each bloom is large and packed with little star-shaped florets, and in a drift or group can look akin to floral fireworks.

Easy to establish in your garden and drought tolerant, this plant grows best in well-drained soil and full sun, where it will naturalize readily and return year after year as a hardy bulbous perennial. Gardeners also favor Allium ‘Millenium’ as a temporal gap-filler: it will bloom to fill the season between spring bulbs and early summer perennials. Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can currently find this plant in the Dean Bond Rose Garden, Cut-Flower Display Garden, gravel culture beds, John W. Nason Garden, and around the entrance of the McCabe Library. 

Cynara cardunculus ‘Florist Cardy’ – cardoon 

For those gardeners that prefer varied textures in their garden, you might be excited by the next featured plant this week: Cynara cardunculus ‘Florist Cardy’, commonly known as cardoon or artichoke thistle. Closely related to globe artichokes, and similarly edible, this is an extremely fun plant all around. Unlike the artichoke, however, it is not the fruit or flowers that are edible but rather the blanched leaf stalks! When established in your garden, Cynara cardunculus ‘Florist Cardy’ presents as thick stalks with silvery foliage, and in the summer season, this plant boasts dramatic spiky blooms in varying shades of violet.

This perennial is native to the Mediterranean region, and thrives in warm, sunny, dry conditions, but can still grow in colder regions as an annual or less-hardy perennial. Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can currently find Cynara cardunculus ‘Florist Cardy’ within the Entrance Garden, outside of the Cunningham Building. 

Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’ – elephant ear

Unlike the other two showcased flowering plants, this last featured plant is not planted for its blooms, but rather the striking foliage. I am talking about Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’, of course, commonly known as elephant ear or taro. While it can bloom briefly in summer, producing small yellow flowers, the blooms are infrequent and sparse, even in the best of conditions. The real show-stopper, the leaves, are huge and heart shaped (up to 3 ft. long), drooping artfully from the long petioles. The leaves are dark purple to almost black, with electric green coursing through each vein. This plant is a head-turner!

As a tropical perennial, it will thrive in sunny to part-shade areas with rich, moist soils. Be careful of planting too far away from other plants, as the leaves are sensitive to wind gusts, and can break easily without nearby shelter. Regarding height and cohesiveness in your garden, the above-mentioned plants are quite tall, and add a lot of vertical texture and color to the top layers of your garden. If you feel you need a nice medium-height addition, Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’ will help to add some balance within the mid layers of your garden. Within the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, you can currently find this plant interspersed within the Terry Shane Teaching Garden.

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