What's In Bloom Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Cheekwood

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Top Plant Picks September 2025

Posted on September 1, 2025September 2, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Vaccinium ashei ‘Premier’ (Rabbiteye Blueberry)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Flower attract butterflies and bees, fruit attracts mammals and songbirds

Tolerates: Heat

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 7 to 9

Other: Produces an abundance of blueberries that ripen in the summer.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie Glow’ (Red Black-Eyed Susan)

Bloom Time: July to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Songbirds eat the seeds

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: This eye-catching perennial features burnt orange blooms tipped with golden yellow.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ (New England Aster)

Bloom Time: August to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and birds

Tolerates: Clay Soil

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Deep purple flowers cover this low, bushy perennial in late summer to fall.

Location: Howe Garden

Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke)

Bloom Time: August to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar to pollinators, songbirds eat the seeds.

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: Reaching up to 10 feet tall, this perennial is grown for its late summer to fall sunflowers.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-son Flower)

Bloom Time: September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Tolerates: Wide range of soils

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: A multi-stemmed shrub featuing panicles of fragrant white flowers in September.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (Toad Lily)

Bloom Time: August to September

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Attracts bumblebees

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 8

Other: Featuring golden-edged foliage and interesting purple flecked flowers.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Callicarpa americana f. lactea (White American Beautyberry)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Fruit attracts birds

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 6 to 12

Other: A variety of native shrub featuring clusters of striking white berries.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Chrysanthemum ‘Clara Curtis’ (Hardy Garden Mum)

Bloom Time: July to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and other pollinators

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A clump-forming, fall blooming Mum with light pink petals and golden centers.

Location: Robinson Family Water Garden

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Top Plant Picks August 2025

Posted on August 4, 2025September 2, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Host plant for Monarch butterfly

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates drought, erosion, and dry soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: A pollinator magnet, this native wildflower has large clusters of fragrant pink flowers.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’ (Obedient Plant)

Bloom Time: June to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates clay soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: As the common name suggests, this plant is very well-behaved, standing upright on sturdy stems with white flower spikes.

Location: Howe Garden

Vitex agnus-castus ‘Silver Spire’ (Chaste Tree)

Bloom Time: July to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bumblebees

Tolerates: Moderate salt tolerance

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 7 to 11

Other: A pure white selection of Vitex, this woody plant can be grown as a large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra ‘Bleeding Hearts’ (Ox Eye Sunflower)

Bloom Time: July to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and birds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates drought

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: Blooming all summer long, flowers emerge orange-red and mature to a deep golden color with red centers.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Heliopsis helianthoides var scabra Bleeding Hearts

Echinacea ‘Balsomselo’ Sombrero® Sandy Yellow (Coneflower)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Birds such as goldfinches, cardinals, bluejays eat the seeds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates drought

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: With creamy yellow flowers, this compact coneflower blooms profusely throughout the summer.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Echinacea Balsomelo Sombrero Sandy Yellow

Hibiscus ‘Cherry Choco Latte’ (Rose Mallow)

Bloom Time: July to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees and hummingbirds

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Featuring giant, eight-inch diameter flowers with deep pink veins and centers.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Manfreda virginica (American Agave)

Bloom Time: July to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Pollinated by moths at night

Tolerates: Tolerates drought, dry and rocky soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Growing from a basal rosette, the leaves are fleshy and flecked with red. Flowers rise from the center on a stalk reaching 4 to 5 feet tall.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Hibiscus syriacus ‘Strawberry Smoothie’ (Rose of Sharon)

Bloom Time: July to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies with it’s nectar

Tolerates: Heat and drought tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: This vase-shaped shrub produces pastel pink flowers that are double-petaled and sterile.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

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Top Plant Picks July 2025

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Coreopsis ‘Lil Bang Candy Stripes’ (Tickseed)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: A compact perennial producing peppermint-colored blooms throughout the summer.

Location: Howe Garden

Spiraea tomentosa (Steeplebush)

Bloom Time: June to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates erosion

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: Dense steeple-shaped clusters of rose pink flowers bloom from top to bottom on this deciduous native shrub.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Monarda ‘Electric Neon Pink’ (Bee Balm)

Bloom Time: May to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Features fluorescent pink flowers on globular terminal flowerheads and minty foliage.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Allium tuberosum (Garlic Chives)

Bloom Time: July to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant, drought tolerant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: This plant serves both culinary and ornamental purposes with edible leaves and a profusion of star-shaped white flowers.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Stokesia laevis ‘Honeysong Purple’ (Stoke’s Aster)

Bloom Time: May to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Drought tolerant, rabbit resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: Produces a profusion of radiant purple flowers over neatly mounding foliage.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Heuchera ‘Grape Expectations’ (Coral Bells)

Bloom Time: May to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Tolerates: A variety of light and soil conditions

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Noted for both its violet purple foliage and airy white flowers.

Location: Howe Garden

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Veitchii’ (Bigleaf Hydrangea)

Bloom Time: July to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: N/A

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: A lace-cap hydrangea with large white florets surrounding small blue flowers.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Ostrya virginiana (American Hop-hornbeam)

Bloom Time: April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Small mammals and songbirds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, drought tolerant

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: After flowering, drooping clusters of hop-like fruit sway from the branches.

Location: Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail

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Top Plant Picks June 2025

Posted on June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Nepeta racemosa ‘Blue Wonder’ (Catmint)

Bloom Time: May to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Hummingbirds and pollinators

Tolerates: Deer resistant, tolerates dry and rocky soil

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: A dwarf, mounding perennial producing blue flowers profusely through the summer.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Cotinus coggygria (Smoketree)

Bloom Time: May to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Nesting sites for birds

Tolerates: Deer and drought resistant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: The airy panicles of flowers cover the canopy of this shrub in a haze of pink.

Location: Arboretum

Lysimachia ‘Night Light’ (Moneywort)

Bloom Time: May to September

Sun Requirement: Part Sun to Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees

Tolerates: Shade tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: When planted in the shade, leaves turn an attractive burgundy color.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Jefam’ (Ninebark)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds and bees

Tolerates: Tolerates drought, dry and rocky soil

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 2 to 8

Other: The new growth of this ninebark is a stunning orange with yellow veins.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Heuchera ‘Peachberry Ice’ (Coral Bells)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees and butterflies

Tolerates: Salt tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: This excellent perennial features large, ruffled, apricot-colored leaves.

Location: Howe Garden

Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ (Black Elder)

Bloom Time: June to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Birds and butterflies

Tolerates: Clay soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 7

Other: Features deeply cut purple foliage, pink blooms, and dark mahogany red berries.

Location: Howe Garden

Astilbe thunbergii ‘Chocolate Shogun’ (False Spirea)

Bloom Time: June to July

Sun Requirement: Part Sun to Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Butterflies

Tolerates: Deer and rabbit resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Pink flowers rise above dramatic purple-bronze foliage.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Hummingbirds and bees

Tolerates: Heat tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: Arching stalks lined with scarlet red flowers rise above the clumping foliage.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

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Top Plant Picks May 2025

Posted on May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Rosa ‘Rainbow’s End’ (Miniature Rose)

Bloom Time: May to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Butterflies

Tolerates: Decent resistance to common foliar diseases

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 11

Other: This miniature rose has deep yellow blooms with orange-red tips.

Location: Rose Study Garden

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Scentsation’ (Honeysuckle)

Bloom Time: May to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds and Hummingbirds

Tolerates: Black Walnut and Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This showy vine has fragrant yellow flowers followed by bright red berries.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Hydrangea macrophylla Seaside Serenade® Cape May (Cape May Hydrangea)

Bloom Time: May to September

Sun Requirement: Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees and Butterflies

Tolerates: N/A

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Features very large lacecap blooms that are pink with hints of purple and blue.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Hesperaloe parviflora ‘Straight Up Red’ (Red Yucca)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low

Wildlife: Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Tolerates: Drought, Deer and Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 10

Other: Upright, red flowers tower above dense, sword-shaped foliage.

Location: Literary Garden

Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions In Purple’ (Chinese Astilbe)

Bloom Time: May to August

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees, Birds, and Butterflies

Tolerates: Heavy Shade, Black Walnut, Deer and Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Raspberry purple plumes of flowers appear above fine-toothed foliage.

Location: Robertson Family Water Garden

Spiraea japonica ‘Galen’ Double Play® Artisan® (Japanese Spirea)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Butterflies, Bees and other beneficial insects

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: This shrub features rich red new growth in the spring and vibrant pink flowers in the summer.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea)

Bloom Time: May to July

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees and Butterflies

Tolerates: Drought, Heavy Shade, and Rabbits

Native to North America: No

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: A vigorous vine with flat-topped clusters of showy white flowers.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Deutzia gracilis ‘NCDX2’ Yuki Cherry Blossom® (Deutzia)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bumblebees and Butterflies

Tolerates: Drought and Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: A very small, compact shrub with arching stems. Blooms are soft pink with white.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

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Top Plant Picks April 2025

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Rhododendron × ‘Cunningham’s White’ (Cunningham’s White Rhododendron)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Shade to Part Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and bees

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Baby pink flower buds open to large pure white flowers against dark evergreen leaves.

Location: Burr Terrace

Calycanthus chinensis (Chinese Sweetshrub)

Bloom Time: April to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Beetle pollinated

Tolerates: N/A

Native to North America: No

Zones: 6 to 8

Other: This long blooming shrub produces showy blush pink to white blooms in spring.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Lonicera caerulea ‘Borealis’ (Honeyberry)

Bloom Time: April to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds

Tolerates: Deer and Black Walnut

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 2 to 7

Other: Funnel-shaped white flowers give way to dark blue berries in late spring to early summer.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Ribes aureum (Golden Currant)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds, hummingbirds, and pollinators

Tolerates: Rabbit, Drought, Erosion

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Yellow flowers on arching branches give off a spicy clove and vanilla scent.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Halesia diptera (Two-winged Silverbell)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds and small mammals

Tolerates: Adaptive to environmental conditions

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Bell-shaped white flowers sway on the branches and give way to two-winged fruits.

Location: Burr Terrace

Cornus florida f. rubra (Flowering Dogwood)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer, Black Walnut, Clay Soil

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This variety of our native flowering dogwood stands out with four showy pink bracts surrounding its true flowers.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Epimedium ‘Pink Champagne’ (Barrenwort)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Shade to Part Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees

Tolerates: Drought, Deer, and Rabbit

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: A perfect addition to a shade garden, this plant features wispy pale pink flowers against mottled foliage.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Iris ‘Lenora Pearl’ (Bearded Iris)

Bloom Time: April to May, September to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and bees

Tolerates: Tolerant of dry conditions once established

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: A reblooming iris showcasing ruffled salmon pink blooms with tangerine beards.

Location: Herb Study Garden

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Top Plant Picks March 2025

Posted on February 28, 2025March 3, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Variegated Solomon’s Seal)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Nectar of flowers attract pollinators

Tolerates: Heavy Shade, Drought, Erosion

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: An excellent perennial for shade gardens with creamy white brushstrokes on the foilage. New growth can emerge blush pink.

Location: Carrell Dogwood Garden

Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Misty’ (Highbush Blueberry)

Bloom Time: March to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Edible berries attract wildlife

Tolerates: N/A

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Flowers appear in clusters in spring and give way to sky-blue fruit in the summer and also features blue-green foliage.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Malus × ‘Centzan’ Centurion (Flowering Crabapple)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds attracted to fruit, bees and other pollinators visit the flowers

Tolerates: Air Pollution

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: With deep rose-colored blooms, this crabapple is a showstopper in the spring.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Cercis canadensis ‘Lavender Twist’ (Eastern Redbud)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This weeping form of redbud with an umbrella-shaped crown is an explosion of lavender blooms in the spring.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Corylus americana (American Filbert)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds

Tolerates: Clay Soil, Black Walnut

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Showy long yellow catkins delicately sway on the branches of this rounded multi-stemmed shrub.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Prunus × yedoensis (Yoshino Cherry)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds and butterflies

Tolerates: Heat and Humidity

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: A graceful ornamental flowering tree that is covered in pink-tinged white flowers before the leaves emerge.

Location: Blevins Japanese Garden

Narcissus ‘Tete a tete’ (Daffodil)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: This adorable miniature daffodil only stands about six inches tall and features lemon yellow flowers in early spring.

Location: Howe Garden

Malus ‘Donald Wyman’ (Crabapple)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds attracted to fruit, bees and other pollinators visit the flowers

Tolerates: Air Pollution

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Pink buds open to reveal fragrant white flowers which give way to bright red crabapples that mature in the fall.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden