What’s in Bloom

Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)

Native to the Southeastern US, Dwarf Fothergilla is a spring-flowering shrub growing approximatley 2-3’ in height. There is also a Large Fothergilla (Fothergilla major), which grows 6-10’ in height. The fragrant flowers appear in early to mid spring, almost entirely white but with a greenish tinge towards the tip. They share a similar leaf structure to Witch-hazels and are in fact closely related, being members of the same plant family. Fothergilla can currently be seen flowering in Chinatown Park, the Fort Point Channel Parks, and the North End Parks.

Dwarf Fothergilla

 Horned Tulip (Tulipa acuminata)

Also called the “Fireflame Tulip”, the Horned Tulip is another wild or “species” Tulip, originally native to Turkey. It grows a good deal taller than many of the other species Tulips, sometimes up to 18” in height. Their yellow to red coloration also seems to vary a bit from plant to plant, with some showing a red flare all the way to the base of the flower while others are almost entirely all yellow. The Horned Tulip can currently be seen flowering in Dewey Square Park by Congress Street, the Urban Arboretum, and the North End Parks by Endicott Street.

Fireflame Tulip

Gable Azalea (Rhododendron (Gable Hybrid) ‘Stewartstonian’)

One of a series of hardy Azaleas hybridized by Joseph B. Gable is named for Stewarstown, PA, the town in which Gable resided. Stewartstonian is a red-flowering dwarf azalea, growing to approximately 2-3’ in height and flowering in the early to mid-spring. It can currently be seen flowering in Chinatown Park along with a broad variety of other azaleas ranging in color from pink to white, red and purple.

Gable Azalea