What’s In Bloom?
by Matthew Lobdell
Great Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)
Native to the United States, this relative of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia flava), is often grown for its bluish-grey leaves as well as for its impressive size (up to 6’ tall!). Great Coneflower is currently blooming in both the Wharf District and Fort Point Channel Parks.
Blue Licorice Giant Hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia ‘Blue Licorice’)
Native to North America, the Giant Hyssop is a nectar source for bees. It also attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies, such as the Tiger Swallowtail seen here. Giant Hyssop can currently be seen flowering in the Wharf District Parks.
Aphrodite Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aphrodite’)
With this week’s heat wave, it should come as no surprise that the Rose of Sharon, a close relative of the tropical Hibiscus, would enter full bloom. Native to Asia, Rose of Sharon is a woody shrub often propagated and planted throughout North America. The cultivar ‘Aphrodite’ has a darker, more rose-pink colored flower than the standard Rose of Sharon. ‘Aphrodite’ is currently flowering in the Fort Point Channel Parks along with ‘Diana’, a white-flowered cultivar.
Also in Bloom:
- North End Parks: Daylilies (Hemerocallis), Magnus Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia)
- Wharf District Parks: Marsh Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Pink Tickseed (Coreopsis rosea), Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa).
- Urban Arboretum: Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocammelia), Karl Foerster Feather Reedgrass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
- Fort Point Channel Parks: Mardi Gras Sneezeweed (Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’), Shortwood Summer Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’), Becky Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’)
- Dewey Square Park: Goldsturm Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea ‘Moonshine’)