FEBRUARY
The camellias are very showy, accompanied by the rich scent of the
Fragrant olive trees (Osmanthus fragrans). Colorful cyclamen and Fairy
primroses (Primula malacoides) decorate the beds below the camellia trees.
Peak camellia bloom occurs in mid to late February. The showy Red powderpuff
tree (Calliandra haematocephala). Flower and seed heads of ornamental grasses.
The emergence of the first few clumps of Giant snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii),
while not quite a sure sign of spring, nonetheless inform us that the seasonal
tides have started to turn and winter will begin to lose its grip. On mild
sunny days, it only takes a few open flowers of Witchhazels (Hamamelis
spp.) or fragrant Winter honeysuckle bush (Lonicera fragrantissima) to
perfume the air.
MARCH
The camellias are at their peak of bloom, accompanied by the rich
scent of the Fragrant olive trees (Osmanthus fragrans) and by the rich
scent of jasmine (Jasminum polyanthemum). Colorful cyclamen and Fairy primroses
(Primula malacoides) decorate the beds below the camellia trees. Spring
has arrived. The rich aroma of fragrant Sweet box (Sarcococca ruscifolia)
fills the air. Masses of flowering Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) blanket
the ground, beneath the showy blossoms of a Redbud (Cercis sp.). Fairy
primroses and daffodils decorate the surrounding garden. Witchhazels (Hamamelis
spp.) flower in many locations on the grounds. Magnolias are at peak bloom
throughout the grounds. Daffodils are especially showy in the garden. Daffodils,
early tulips, and an assortment of spring bulbs are growing in gardens.
Winter hazels (Corylopsis spp.), Hellebores (Helleborus spp.), and other
spring bulbs are blooming in many locations on the grounds. Flowering cherries
are now at peak bloom. Redbuds are blooming in many locations. Azaleas
are now beginning to bloom. The bright yellow flower spikes of the Canary
Island broom (Genista canariensis).
APRIL
Redbuds and Crabapples are in full bloom throughout the grounds.
Flowering dogwoods are beginning to bloom in many locations. Flowering
cherries are past peak bloom, but many are still nice. Many Azaleas are
blooming throughout the Garden. Peak season is about the middle of the
month. The rich fragrance of Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthemum) accompanies
the lingering blossoms of the camellia trees. Sweetly fragrant white roses
(Rosa banksiae 'Alba Plena') cascade over the walls. Daffodils and tulips
are at peak bloom. The showy emerging foliage of the many Japanese maples
will be beautiful in just a few weeks. Flowering dogwoods and Azaleas are
in full bloom throughout the Garden. Daffodils and tulips are at peak bloom
throughout the grounds. White and blue Wood hyacinths (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
carpet the ground. Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum), hydrangeas (Hydrangea
macrophylla), the carnivorous pitcher plants (Sarracenia sp.), and the
showy red blossoms of the Australian bottlebrush trees (Callistemon sp.)
are just splendid. Dwarf bearded irises are now blooming, along with tall
bearded irises . Shrub roses are beginning to bloom.
MAY
Tall bearded irises are at peak bloom. Look for the Giant dogwood
(Cornus controversa) now in bloom. Azaleas are past peak bloom, but many
are still nice. Shrub roses are near peak bloom. Climbers are becoming.
Floribunda, grandiflora, and hybrid tea roses in the gardens are now beginning
to bloom. Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum), Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla),
deep Blue daisies (Cineraria 'Miss Yokohama'), the carnivorous Pitcher
plants (Sarracenia sp.), and the red blossoms of the Australian bottlebrush
trees (Callistemon sp.) are beautiful this time of the year. The rich fragrance
of Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthemum) accompanies the last lingering blossoms
of the camellia trees. The bright yellow flower spikes of the Canary Island
broom (Genista canariensis) are particularly beautiful. Roses are near
the peak of spring bloom. Especially noteworthy is Rosa 'Doubloons', a
magnificent large-flowered climber that could arch beautifully. Rhododendrons
are just past peak bloom, but most are still showy. Roses are at the peak
of spring bloom. Especially noteworthy is Rosa 'Doubloons', a magnificent
large-flowered climber. Irises are past peak bloom, but many like the Japanese
are still blooming. The rich fragrance of Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum
jasminoides) wafts through the garden. The bright yellow flower spikes
of the Canary Island broom (Genista canariensis) are just beautiful.
JUNE
Japanese iris are blooming, and roses are at the peak of spring
bloom.
The heady aroma of Gardenia (Gardenia Augusta) fills the air. Hydrangeas
are particularly showy, especially the Lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla
'Mariesii'). The magnificent grove of Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)
is beginning to bloom. The magnificent grove of Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus
parviflora) is in full bloom. The heady aroma of Gardenia (Gardenia Augusta)
fill the air. Hydrangeas are particularly showy, especially the Lacecap
hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii'). Daylilies are at peak bloom
and are very showy. Look for the showy flowers of the Caper vine (Capparis
spinosa), whose flower bud is the caper of commerce. The large, colorful
foliage of Rex begonias and bright flowers of Impatiens (Impatiens 'Tempo
Series') fill the beds below the winter-blooming camellia trees.
JULY
Daylilies are at peak bloom and are very showy, as are the roses.
The Late bottlebrush buckeyes (Aesculus parviflora f. serotina) are now
in bloom. The heady aroma of Gardenia (Gardenia Augusta) fill the air.
Look for the showy flowers of the Caper vine (Capparis spinosa), whose
flower bud is the caper of commerce. Figs are ripening high. Daylilies
are past peak bloom, but many are still nice, and now the roses are at
the peak of seasonal bloom. Tropical waterlilies are beginning to bloom.
The Caper vine (Capparis spinosa) has showy flowers. The caper you eat
is the bud of this flower. Figs are ripening.
AUGUST
Roses are at the peak of seasonal bloom. Some Daylilies are still
nice. Tropical waterlilies are blooming. The Caper vine (Capparis spinosa)
has showy flowers. The caper you eat is the bud of this flower. Figs are
ripening. Showy bottlebrush trees from Australia (Callistemon sp.) are
in bloom. Tropical waterlilies are blooming, and the roses are at the peak
of seasonal blooming. Figs are ripening. Look for the bright purple berries
of the American beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana). Fragrant pink Belladonna
lilies (Amaryllis belladonna) are in bloom.
SEPTEMBER
Roses are at the peak of seasonal bloom. Tropical waterlilies are
blooming. The fruity fragrance of the Victoria waterlilies perfumes the
evening air. Tardiva hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva') are blooming
in many locations on the grounds. Figs are ripening. Look for the bright
purple berries of the American beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana). The
colorful foliage of Rex begonias is particularly showy accompanied by lush
Impatiens (Impatiens 'Tempo Series'). The showy blossoms of Red spider
lilies (Lycoris radiata) are poking their heads out of the windows. Tropical
waterlilies are blooming. The fruity fragrance of the Victoria waterlilies
perfumes the evening air. Annuals throughout the grounds are at their peak
of summer growth. The Elephant ear's (Colocasia spp.) have attained a most
impressive stature. Bright red bottlebrush trees from Australia (Callistemon
sp.) are blooming. Look for the bright purple berries of the American beautyberry
(Callicarpa Americana).
OCTOBER
Garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are blooming in many locations
on the grounds. Roses are still showy. Tropical waterlilies are blooming.
The fruity fragrance of the Victoria waterlilies perfumes the evening air.
Annuals throughout the grounds are at their peak of summer growth. The
Elephant ear's (Colocasia spp.) have attained a most impressive stature.
The sweet aroma of the Fragrant olive trees (Osmanthus fragrans) wafts
in the air; you can smell them fifty feet away! Colorful impatiens and
begonias carpet the ground beneath the budding camellia trees. Many trees
and shrubs are beginning to show some autumn color. The large blackgum
is noteworthy, as are the dogwoods. It's not unusual to see some scattered
blooms at this time of year in the Lopata Azalea and Rhododendron Garden
as temperatures and day length approximate conditions of the normal spring
flowering season. Buds that open and bloom now will not flower again next
spring. Peak autumn foliage color is now past with unseasonably high temperatures
causing many leaves to fall prematurely. Color in the Japanese maples should
improve in the upcoming week. Some fine color remains in the Sassafras.
Seed heads of ornamental grasses are showy throughout the grounds. It's
not unusual to see some scattered blooms on individual shrubs at this time
of year in the Lopata Azalea and Rhododendron Garden as temperatures and
day lengths approximate conditions of the normal spring flowering season.
These shrubs will bloom again in spring, but any individual buds that open
and bloom now will not flower again.
NOVEMBER
Many roses are still showy. Seed heads of ornamental grasses are
showy throughout the grounds. The sweet aroma of the Fragrant olive trees
(Osmanthus fragrans) fill the air. The earliest Camellias are starting
to bloom, a hint of the show to come this winter. The bright red leaves
of Coleus (Solenostemon 'Oxblood) and the unusual furry blossoms of Lion's
ear from South Africa (Leonotis leonurus) are a beautiful combination.
Fruits of the Tea viburnums are very showy. It's not unusual to see some
scattered blooms on individual shrubs at this time of year in the Lopata
Azalea and Rhododendron Garden as temperatures and day lengths approximate
conditions of the normal spring flowering season. These shrubs will bloom
again in spring, but any individual buds that open and bloom now will not
flower again. Seed heads of ornamental grasses are showy throughout the
grounds. Holly berries are showy throughout the Garden grounds. Fruits
of the Tea viburnums are also very showy. Look for the large fruits of
the Asian persimmons. The bright red leaves of Coleus (Solenostemon 'Oxblood)
and the unusual furry blossoms of Lion's ear from South Africa (Leonotis
leonurus) are a beautiful combination. The Orchid tree (Bauhinia x blakeana)
and the Glorybower vine (Clerodendrum splendens) are becoming showy.
DECEMBER
Fruits of many plants are showy at this time, including both red
and gold-fruited forms of the American holly (Ilex opaca) growing throughout
the grounds. Particularly noteworthy are the Winterberry hedge (Ilex verticillata
'Red Sprite') and the Green Hawthorn tree (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King').
The bright violet cyclamen (Cyclamen 'Sierra Purple') and the fruits of
the Mandarin orange tree (Citrus reticulata 'Dancy'). The Orchid tree (Bauhinia
x blakeana) and the Glorybower vine (Clerodendrum splendens) are showy.
The decorative planters contain creative arrangements made from seasonal
trimmings snipped from nearby hollies, evergreens, crapemyrtles and ornamental
grasses.