What's in Bloom: July

Clethra barbinervis
Bark Park

Native to Japan, these shrubs produce racemes of fragrant, white flowers that contrast against glossy, dark green leaves.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’
Rose Garden

Large panicles of white flowers adorn these compact shrubs. While the straight species can reach heights of up to 25 feet, this cultivar is selected for its small form, reaching only up to 3 feet in height.

Vitex agnus-castus ‘Abbeville Blue’
Rose Garden

These large shrubs are native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. In the summer, they produce long, narrow panicles of small purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees.

Lagerstroemia ‘Tuskegee’
​​​​​Oak Allée

This crapemyrtle cultivar boasts showy pink, cloud-like flower clusters, adding brightness and color along the Oak Allée.

Poliothyrsis sinensis 
Pennock Garden

This tree gets its common name from its small flowers that do not fully open, remaining round and bud-like. The flowers are apetalous, meaning they lack petals—what we see instead are sepals, which are typically found enclosing petals to protect the flower in its bud form.

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ 
Oak Allée

Native to the southeastern United States, this evergreen magnolia displays large white, fragrant flowers throughout the summer. Unlike many other flowers, these are primarily pollinated by beetles.