Friday, August 7th, 2009
In 2003, the Scott Arboretum acquired a large collection of cacti species native to the mountainous and rocky areas of the western United States. Many of these cacti have turned out to be perfectly hardy and very ornamental in Swarthmore.
Opuntia polyacantha orange flowered form photo credit: D. Mattis
For example, Opuntia polyacantha, plains prickly pear, is native from North Dakota to Texas and throughout all the western states. We have used it in both a gravel garden at the Science Center and in a permanent container at Pearson Hall. Many of the original plants we got in 2003 were special color…
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
We are about a month away from the 2009 Scott Associates’ Plant Sale and we are excited about all the great plants that will be available the sale. This year’s theme is ‘New Twists on Old Favorites’, featuring new cultivars of old garden favorites. For example, Hydrangea paniculata, the panicle hydrangea, has been a garden favorite in many local gardens for the past hundred years. We will be offering new introductions like Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky TM.
Another great twist on an old favorite is Helianthus angustifolius ‘Low Down’, a selection of swamp sunflower. The straight species will reach 6′ tall in…
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