Our plants aren’t big fireworks fans, but thankfully they aren’t scared of them either. The warm summer days and a bit of rain were enjoyed thoroughly this week. There’s an astounding number of plants in bloom currently, and more on the way. Happy exploring!

Cleveland Botanical Garden 

The daylilies and tall Asiatic lilies are still going strong at the gardens, and a new variety seems to come into bloom each day. While you’re admiring the lilies, keep an eye out for balloonflowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) in the CK Patrick Perennial Garden and the Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden this weekend. These whimsical flowers are aptly named for their hollow, balloon-like flower buds.  

At both campuses, you can also catch purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) in bloom. If you wait and watch, you are sure to see a whole host of bees and butterflies visiting these two native plants, particularly purple coneflower. At the gardens, look for purple coneflower in the bed adjacent to the front entrance of the building in the Campsey-Stauffer Gateway Garden and several cultivars of garden phlox in the Butterfly Garden.  

Holden Arboretum 

Another plant in bloom at both campuses this weekend is bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora), although it is a little bit further along at the gardens. This shrubby member of the buckeye genus is native to the southeast, but it is hardy in northeast Ohio and does very well at both of our campuses. When you first pull into the entrance drive leading up to the gatehouse, look to your left to see a large mature specimen originally planted in 1993. 

For summer wildflowers, make sure to stop by the Wildflower Garden prairie and Butterfly Garden to see queen-of-the prairie (Filipendula rubra) and Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum). Either of these tall and stately plants would be excellent additions to add a vertical, spire-like element to any wildflower or pollinator garden at home.  

Enjoy the 4^th of July holiday, and stay tuned for another It’s Poppin’ update next week!