Holden Arboretum

Three interesting and new blooms this week at the Arboretum each have a story to tell. In the butterfly garden, the native butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, is now blooming. This low-growing milkweed can host monarch butterflies like its taller cousin, common milkweed. Look for it along grassy roadways this time of year, especially in southeast Ohio.

Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa

In the wildflower garden, our Ohio-collected prickly pear is now in bloom. Yes, we have cactus growing wild in Ohio! You’ll see its pale-yellow blossoms at the south end of the garden, planted in the large sand dune garden.

Prickly pear cactus

Finally, for an exotic bloom, visit the Display Garden south of the main parking area. There you’ll spot the light peach-colored spikes of desert-candle, Eremurus ‘Cleopatra’. This cultivated plant’s relatives are found in the wild in Europe and Asia.

Desert-candle, Eremurus ‘Cleopatra’.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

At the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the rose arch in the rose garden looks absolutely spectacular, covered by the pink climber Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’. After the recent renovation there, it’s a fantastic garden to visit and watch the roses develop and frow over time.

Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’

There are beautiful deep-purple irises, Iris ensata, up in the restorative garden, and you’ll also see cultivars of Astilbe there.

Iris ensata

Finally, the beautiful oak-leaf hydrangea is blooming in several places throughout the garden. This plant is particularly spectacular and does quite well at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Oakleaf hydrangea

Even though spring is over, we still have so many fascinating blooms across our public gardens that allow the visitor to take a deep dive into the world of plants. Find your favorites this week!

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