Tree peonies look like giant paper mache flowers
Genus: Paeonia suffruiticosa
Tree peonies are actually shrubs, not trees. They produce woody stems and do not die back to the ground like herbaceous peonies. They grow very slowly, but live for a long time. Some tree peonies in China are believed to be over 200 years old. Plants can grow up to feet tall, but they may take several decades to do so. The flowers are large, ruffled and fragrant and can come in many different colors.
Fun Fact: The Chinese tree peony is the national flower of China and was once grown exclusively by the emperor.
Eastern Red Columbine is Blooming
Genus: Aquilegia
Eastern Red Columbine is a perennial from the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) Family. Although the plant and blossoms appear delicate, they are sturdy woodland plants that prefer average to poor soil rather than fertile soil.
Fun Fact: Native Americans used very small amounts of Aquilegia root as an effective treatment for ulcers. However, the medical use of this plant is better avoided due to its high toxicity; columbine poisonings may be fatal
Azaleas and Rhododendrons in every color of the rainbow!
Genus: Rhododendron
Azaleas and Rhododendrons were recently at peak color in the Arboretum. Some are still blooming – don’t miss seeing the colorful display!
Fun Fact: Azaleas differ from rhododendrons in being generally smaller and having one blossom per stem rather than blossom clusters.
Don’t miss the Arboretum’s abundant and colorful tulips!
Genus: Tulipa
The tulip is a perennial plant grown from a bulb. They bloom in many colors and shapes with large, showy flowers.
Fun Fact: During the height of the Ottoman Empire, the tulip was seen as a symbol of abundance and indulgence. This era is sometimes known as the “Tulip Era” or “Lale Devri” in Turkish.
Trillium carpet the forest floor in white!
Genus: Trillium grandiflorum
Trillium is a native wildflower in North America. It has been used for medicinal purposes throughout the ages, especially by Native Americans. Trillium are easily identified by the three main leaf bracts that start to show in the early part of spring. Flowers are usually white, but can also be red, pink, pale purple and even occasionally yellow. There are at least 39 species of trillium.
Fun Fact: This fact might not be fun, but it’s something everyone should know about trillium! Picking a trillium flower injures the plant by preventing the bracts from producing food for the next year. A plant takes many years to recover.
Bleeding Hearts are blooming next to the pavilion.
Genus: Lamprocapnos spectabili (formerly Dicentra Spectabilis)
Native to Japan, but used widely as a garden ornamental, Bleeding Hearts are a favorite planting for shady gardens. Flowers are typically pink or white and grow in the shape of a heart, about one inch in diameter.
Fun Fact: Bleeding hearts are related to Dutchmen’s Breeches.
Bluebells are everywhere!
Genus: Mertensia virginica
Come see the Virginia bluebells that are abundant throughout the arboretum right now! While in the bud stage, the flowers are a brighter pink, but they become light purplish-blue as they mature. Flowers appear in the shape of soft, downward-facing trumpets. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, and lasts about 3 weeks.
Fun Fact: Country Star, Miranda Lambert, wrote a song called Virginia Bluebell. Excerpt of lyrics below:
Pretty little thing
Sometimes you gotta look up
And let the world see
All the beauty that your made of
Cause the way you hang you head
Nobody can tell
You’re my virginia bluebell
My viginia bluebell
Dutchmen’s Breeches are flowering now!
Genus: Dicentra cucullaria
Dutchmen’s Breeches are a perennial plant, native to forests in eastern North America. They are low-lying with delicate stems and flowerstalks. The plant has lacy leaves. Flowers are typically white and yellow and resemble a pair of pantaloons hanging upside down.
Fun Fact: Dutchmen’s Breeches are toxic to many animals. In cows, the most common symptom of poisoning is a staggering gait, giving this plant the common nickname ‘staggerweed’.
Bloodroot are abundant on the forest floor.
Genus: Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot is a perennial that blooms abundantly in the Arboretum. The flowers appear in March and can sometimes last into May. They are white with 8-12 petals, and have yellow reproductive parts. Deer often enjoy feeding on bloodroot in the early spring.
Fun Facts: Bloodroot is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants, a process called myrmecochory. Native Americans used this plant extensively in their herb lore. And, it’s still being sold for medicinal use today.
Korean Rhododendron Offers Colorful Flowers Early in the Season
Genus: Rhododendron mucronulatum
This rhododendron is non-native (as indicated by its name.) It’s a small leaved Rhodie that is quite hardy in bud and flower and often the first to bloom.
Fun Fact: This year, the blooming Korean Rhododendrons were covered by a beautiful blanket of snow.
