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Missouri Botanical Garden: Plants in Bloom

AT A GLANCE

WINTER 1996 - 1997

• Now that we have had a killing freeze, this will be the final report for 1996. Bloom data will begin to be recorded again in the first week of March, and the first report for 1997 will appear shortly thereafter.

• Bloom events to look forward to during winter include the following:

  In the Climatron® Geodesic Greenhouse: Many plants cycle on and off throughout the winter months. Orchids are especially nice in February. In the Linnaean House: Camellias are best from mid-February to early April. Sasanqua camellias bloom first, often beginning well before the New Year. They are slowly joined in bloom by the Japonicas over a period of many weeks. Fragrant olives are the source of the sweet scent in this conservatory throughout the winter. In the Shoenberg Temperate House: Many plants bloom in this conservatory throughout winter, but the "indoor Spring" from late January into March is spectacular. A succession of fragrant temperate shrubs, Mediterranean species, and many Australian natives are featured.

• Witchhazels flower outdoors at various times during winter, depending on the weather. The Eastern witchhazel begins to bloom in November and individual plants may still be found flowering in late December into January. The Vernal or Ozark witchhazel often begins to bloom in December and January, and reaches peak in February. It is followed successively by the intermediate hybrids and the Asian species. Witchhazels are best viewed in the Hosta Walk, Jenkins Daylily Garden, English Woodland Garden and Seiwa-En, the Japanese Garden.

• The fragrant Winter honeysuckles bloom sporadically during mild spells in January and February, and peak in March. Specimens are located in the Zimmerman Scented Garden, English Woodland Garden, and Heckman Bulb Garden.

• Many Hellebores can be found in the English Woodland Garden. The Christmas rose often flowers from January through March. The Lenten rose blooms a little later, usually beginning in late February or early March.

• The very first Snowdrops appear in late January in mild winters, but more normally in February. Look for them first in the Hosta Walk near the Spink Pavilion and in scattered locations in the English Woodland Garden. By the time they finish blooming in late March, Winter aconite, Crocus, and early Narcissus will also be in bloom and Spring should be well under way.

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