Garden Plants
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Our curator, Andrew Bunting, is always planting unusual tropicals and annuals in the Scott Entrance Garden for a unique display during the summer and fall. An annual which has caught my attention this season is Mirabilis jalapa. While not of note during the typical work day, I have been lucky enough to catch this plant creating a charming display just before our work day begins at 8:30 am. Known as the four o’clock flower, Mirabilis jalapa typically opens its trumpet-shaped flowers during the evening hours.
The closed and wilted blooms of Mirabilis jalapa, as seen during the day. photo credit: R. Robert
This…
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Friday, August 27th, 2010
This summer saw the removal of the last Malus tschonoskii on campus. As part of our mission to display great plants for Delaware Valley gardeners, we trial new introductions and cultivars of plants. Beginning in the 1980s, Scott Arboretum participated in the National Crabapple Evaluation Program led by Professor Les Nichols of Penn State University. This program evaluated readily available crabapple cultivars in various locations throughout the United States based mainly on disease resistance and aesthetic autumn appeal.
The last Malus tschonoskii on campus has succumb to fire blight. photo credit: R. Robert
Malus tschonoskii was among the over 50 species and cultivars…
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
While plant shopping with fellow garden enthusiasts, we discovered several great hydrangeas for our gardens including: H. arborescens ‘Green Dragon’ and H. serrata ‘Oamacha Variegata’, but the find of the weekend was H. macrophylla ‘Ayesha’. We were all struck by the unique flowers of this plant and knew it was coming home with us immediately no matter the cost.
Pink bloom of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha' next to white blooms of Hydrangea umbellata. photo credit: R. Robert
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ produces a free-flowering, sometimes oblong-shaped, mophead bloom as expected with a macrophylla. The striking difference is the sepals are shaped like cupped spoons…
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