Gardeners’ Top Picks May 2019
We’re gearing up for summer, and so are our gardens! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for May from 8 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.
Pinks(Dianthus)
Bloom Time: April – July
Sun Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Fragrant blooms, perfect for rock gardens
Location: Herb Study Garden
Coastal Doghobble(Leucothoe axillaris ‘Squazam’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees and butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Fragrant blooms, great for underplanting bigger shrubs
Location: Dogwood Garden
Avens(Geum ‘Tim’s Tangerine’ )
Bloom Time: May – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees and butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Will bloom until fall with consistent deadheading
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Siberian Iris(Iris sibirica)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Rabbits, deer, drought
Native to North America: No
Other: Not susceptible to bacterial soft rot, perfect for rain gardens
Location: Shōmo-en Japanese Garden: Roji
Black Tupelo(Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’)
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium – Wet
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Very showy foliage color; Great for rain gardens
Location: Howe Garden
Carolina Allspice(Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, birds
Tolerates: Deer, clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Fragrant, low maintenance and easy naturalizer
Location: Burr Garden
Spiderwort(Tradescantia virginiana)
Bloom Time: April – July
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies
Tolerates: Wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Showy blue flowers
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Japanese Painted Fern(Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Rabbits, heavy shade
Native to North America: No
Other: Colorful foliage brightens up dark, shady areas
Location: Fern Garden