What's in Bloom: August

Rhododendron prunifolium
Native Azalea Collection

One of the latest to bloom, this native azalea produces deep red/orange flowers. There are only a handful of natural populations of plumleaf azalea.

Clethra alnifolia ‘Rosea’
Along creek in Azalea Meadow

Native to eastern North America, summersweet clethra is a late summer bloomer that thrives in shady, swampy areas. Unlike the white flowers of the straight species, the ‘Rosea’ cultivar displays showy, fragrant light pink flower clusters on vertical racemes.

Platycladus orientalis
Hillcrest Pavilion

Small, spiked, blue-green cones adorn this evergreen tree. This plant was once considered a member of the genus Thuja (arborvitae) because of its very similar scale-like leaves.

Anemone tomentosa
Mercury Loggia

Native to northern China, these perennials bloom as late as October. Their grape-like leaves have white, fuzzy undersides.

Hibiscus moscheutos
Wetlands

Large white flowers on these tall, native perennials line the border of the Wetlands. Although each individual flower only blooms for several days, the plant produces many new buds and will flower through early fall.