Late Summer Interest at the Washington Park Arboretum
1) Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Brido’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
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- Oakleaf Hydrangeas are native to the American South and are prized in horticulture for their distinctive oak-shaped leaves, reddish peeling bark, and large pyramids of flowers.
- ‘Brido’ features large double flowers that morph from white to pink with age.
- You can find these showy shrubs around the Graham Visitors Center’s southern patio.
2) Billardiera longiflora Climbing Blueberry
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- This small evergreen vine is native to Australia and is most common in Tasmania, but also grows in New South Wales.
- The persistent berries are an eye-popping purple and have a unique dimpled shape, reminiscent of apples.
- The Australian Entry Garden in the Pacific Connections Garden has both the purple-fruited species and a less common white-fruited cultivar, ‘Fructo-albo’.
3) Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis ‘Aurea’ Golden-Leaved Hardy Fuchsia
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- While most spring flowers have long since faded, Hardy Fuchsias are still going strong.
- The bold chartreuse foliage of this cultivar adds flair to any garden bed.
- You are sure to see hummingbirds feasting on the nectar of these flowers in the Chilean Entry Garden in the Pacific Connections Garden.
4) Luma apiculata Arrayan
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- These large evergreen shrubs or small trees are native to Chile and Argentina.
- Mature plants have rusty-colored exfoliating bark. After flowering, plants develop small black berries popular with birds.
- Small fragrant white flowers are now on display along the Arboretum Loop Trail on the Chilean Hillside.
5) Vitex agnus-castus Chaste tree
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- Chaste trees are members of the Mint family (Lamiaceae) and are native to the Mediterranean area.
- The long panicles of lilac flowers are popular with butterflies.
- You can find a Chaste tree along Azalea Way, just south of the Lower Woodland Garden Pond.