MBG Plants in Bloom: at a Glance

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Missouri Botanical Garden: Plants in Bloom

AT A GLANCE

FEBRUARY 6 - FEBRUARY 12, 1998

Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii) and Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) are blooming in the English Woodland Garden. The Persian parrotia (Parrotia persica) is just beginning to bloom, but its showiest feature is the colorful, flaking bark on its sinewy trunk and branches.
Ozark witchhazels (Hamamelis vernalis) are in bloom. Large specimens can be found near the south end of the Jenkins Daylily Garden. Chinese witchhazels (Hamamelis mollis) are also flowering, with handsome specimens in both the English Woodland and Japanese Gardens. The Jelena hybrid witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia Jelena') is flowering in the Hosta Walk. Witchhazel flowers are showiest, and their fragrance strongest on warm, sunny days.
Camellias are nearing peak bloom in the Linnean House (peak typically begins in mid- to late February). Colorful Fairy primrose, Cyclamen, and Snapdragons are accompanied by the sweet scent of the Fragrant olive trees (Osmanthus fragrans).
Fragrance fills the Shoenberg Temperate House: look for the aromatic yellow flowers of the unusual Paperbush (Edgeworthia papyrifera), as well as the pink flowers of the Winter daphne (Daphne odora Marginata'). Tiny white blossoms of the Fragrant sweetbox (Sarcococca ruscifolia) complete the trio of scents. The large Cootamundra wattle tree (Acacia baileyana) is a cascade of yellow flowers, and the Judas-tree (Cercis siliquastrum), a Mediterranean cousin of our native Redbud, is becoming very showy.
Many plants are flowering in the Climatron®. The Chinese orchid tree (Bauhinia blakeana) and the Red powderpuff tree (Calliandra haematocephala) are especially showy when viewed from the bridge.
Fruits of the Winter red winterberry hollies (Ilex verticillata Winter Red') on Spoehrer Plaza are still showy.
A few scented flowers of the Fragrant honeysuckle shrubs (Lonicera standishii) open on warm, sunny days at this time. A large specimen can be found in the Heckman Bulb Garden, just across the tram path from the Rock Garden.
Many different varieties of Pansies are being tested for winter hardiness in the Lois Whiteside Franklin Flower Trial Garden at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening.

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