Things certainly ramped up since my last post on here hence the absence of updates, but it’s been a busy past few months here at the Center for Urban Horticulture Grounds. There are several exciting new projects underway and our regular summer regiment is in full swing with regular volunteers that have helped what is now a two person crew to oversee all of CUH Grounds since our third colleague left.
Read more »August 2011 Plant Profile: Eucomis bicolor
Eucomis bicolor is one of the more common and easily sought after species as it truly showcases why this genus is known as "pineapple lily"
Read more »July 2011 Plant Profile: Triteleia (Brodiaea)
Triteleia are somewhat of a taxonomic nightmare, but truly a much overlooked summer flowering bulb!
Read more »June 2011 Plant Profile: Glumicalyx goseloides
Walking down the Soest Garden path, it's very easy to miss seeing Nodding Chocolate Flower, a remarkable perennial plant all the way from South Africa.
Read more »CUH Update – March 2011: Ramping up
We all await the arrival of the most promising time of year as the garden slowly wakes up and showcases it early season splendor. March is when bulbs burst into bloom, spring ephemerals shyly shine and the winter shrubs are putting forth yet another splendid show of unrivaled color and, in most cases, outstanding fragrance. It’s all such a great distraction from the financial woes and the economic downturn we’re all facing.
Read more »March 2011 Plant Profile: The Genus Helleborus
The popularity of this tough and resilient perennial has made it one of the most revered and sought after of all winter blooming plants in our climate.
Read more »February 2011 Plant Profile: The Genus Galanthus
Of all spring emphemeral bulbs, Galanthus have been revered and loved for many centuries and have always been the harbingers of spring as their noses poke up and their gentle blossoms push through the snow.
Read more »January 2011 Plant Profile: Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’
The winter landscape is incomplete without the presence of twig-dogwoods. Their stately, yet elegant stems, vibrant color and imposing form in the garden is remarkable. What’s more impressive is their adaptability and ease of growth. They are tolerant of most soils, are drought tolerant once established and the ability to recover from almost being mowed down to the ground each spring and produce brightly colored stems the following winter is extraordinary.
Read more »CUH Update – December 2010: Overcoming November's Cold Spell
Several weeks after an unusual early snow and cold snap, the grounds at CUH have looked like a bomb was detonated and we’re just now cleaning up the aftermath. OK, it wasn’t that bad, but the clean-up continues as the holiday season is well underway and we’re doing our best to keep things clean and presentable to our many guest this time of year.
Read more »December 2010 Plant Profile: Prunus 'Mount Vernon'
Contrary to its original form (Prunus laurocerasus), this selection of the common, overused and potentially invasive Cherry Laurel is a welcomed addition to any landscape. ‘Mt. Vernon’ is beginning to appear in many urban plantings both as a hugging evegreen groundcover or as a prostrate specimen shrub in front of a border. It is truly versatile, hardy, and a very dependable plant with glossy, deep green foliage that looks fabulous all year around.
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