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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 GardenReflecting Pool
Pontederia cordata / Pickerel Weed
Pickerel weed is native to eastern North America and the Caribbean. It has soft blue blooms, resembling hyacinth, punctuated with yellow spots on each petal. A freshwater-aquatic plant, it will thrive in your rain garden or backyard pond, and, much like horsetail plant (Equisetum), it can spread rapidly. With its dense root system, it does an amazing job of controlling erosion by keeping sediment it place. Grow in containers, either out of water or in, if spread is a concern.
The leaves of Pontederiaare shaped like arrowheads and, when young, can be used in salads. Its seeds are also edible, and tastes best when roasted, though waterfowl will eat them raw. Butterflies are big fans of this perennial; dragonflies and damselflies commonly lay their eggs on plant stems near the water’s surface. Fish, reptiles, and other water creatures seek shelter in the clumps of these plants. It is often seen in the same habitats as the pickerel fish, hence the common name.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.
Hyacinth ‘Delt Blue’
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Tolerates: Deer and rabbits
Other: Extremely fragrant, award-winning cultivar. An heirloom type (since 1944) true blue flowers, does well in the ground and also containers.
Location: Mansion front lawn (upper stream)
Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Male plants showcase the attractive, yellow late winter catkins
Location: Lower Stream/Weaver Walk