The UW Botanic Gardens Climate Change Garden is doing more than monitoring the effects of a changing climate on plant growth and survival. (What’s the Climate Change Garden?) It’s part of a nationwide climate change education initiative entitled Floral Report Card.
Sponsored by Chicago Botanic Garden, Floral Report Card aims to integrate existing phenology citizen science programs into elementary, middle and high school classrooms through garden replication on school grounds. 

Selected Cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum

Berberis x lologensis
Litsea cubeba
Magnolia x soulangiana ‘Bronzonii’
Prunus (Sato-zakura group) ‘Shirotae’
Rhododendron ‘Idealist’ x (‘Moonstone’ x ‘Adrastia’)

Complete details. 

It has taken me almost three years to get the chance to feature one of my most favorite of all blooming shade perennials and with a wide assortment of them beginning to hit their peak, I will discuss the entire genus. Known as” Barrenwort” to some, “Fairy Wings” to others and “Horny Goat Weed” to herbalist, I am talking about the enchanting Epimedium. 

April 2010
It’s finally beginning to feel like spring. Yes, we have our occasional bouts of cool temperatures that threaten the tender young growth steadily coming to the fore, but in true spring fashion, plants flaunt the floral frenzy that this season is known for. A new wave of spring flowering bulbs can be admired and adored here at CUH as they fill the air with their potent perfume. 

UW Botanic Gardens is partnering with botanic gardens across the country in the installation of a network of Climate Change Gardens that will create a nationwide “ecological antenna” to monitor the effects of a changing climate on plant growth and survival. Each Climate Change Garden features genetically identical plant species selected for their biological responsiveness to temperature. Garden monitors will record climate data and a set of standard phenological events, from first leaf to flower to fruit set. 

A Selection of DAPHNE from the Center for Urban Horticulture

Daphne odora ‘Alba’ – White Winter Daphne
Daphne odora ‘Aureo-Marginata’ – Winter Daphne
Daphne x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’ – Everblooming Fragrant Daphne
Daphne x transatlantica ‘Summer Ice’ – Summer Ice Fragrant Daphne
Daphne tangutica

Complete details. 

Selected Cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum

Camellia japonica ‘Ecstacy’
Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ – Japanese Rose
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Ballerina’
Magnolia x ‘Royal Crown’
Prunus x yedoensis – Yoshino Cherry

Complete details. 

Very VERY early this season, but the weather has been outstanding for this little gem. Having lasted a decade in these beds, ‘Anclla’ still keeps coming strong each spring with these outstanding blooms.
They are reliably perennial and stunningly beautiful as a mass or group planting.
Common Name: Ancilla Tulip
Location: Soest Garden Bed 6
Family: Liliacea
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 6-8″
Spread: Can form tight clumps after several years
Bloom Time: Usually mid-late March onto April
Bloom Type/Color: Cream colored tepals with bright orange red centers. 

“It’s crazy!”, a visitor commented as I carefully weeded around emerging tulips and blooming lungworts busting out blooms and color we didn’t come to expect until later this month. It kind of has been crazy, but I told her to just enjoy and soak it all in.

I’m a bit irritated that I’m in the office writing this update when it’s bright and remarkably warm outside. 

Arboretum staff will be assisting mason bee hobbyist Dave Richards (JohnnyAppleBeez, LLC) install several mason bee boxes in trees throughout the Arboretum grounds.