‘Karens’ azaleas in the Rapp Family Ravine Garden

Did y’all miss me last week?! I took some time away from the office and was boot-scoot-n-boogying my way through Kentucky. I certainly missed doing this update. When I returned this week, I toddled through The Garden behind the horticulturists for their annual seasonal display review and I couldn’t believe how different the landscape felt from just a few days prior.

Do not skip the Rapp Family Ravine Garden this week. The ‘Karens’ azaleas can probably be seen from outer space right now. Their bright pink blooms completely cover the plants on either side of the small wooden bridge at the center of the garden. It’s a don’t-miss moment that only happens once a year but is one of the iconic scenes that the space was designed around for the Landon family in 1920. For folks that don’t feel comfortable traversing all of those stairs, great viewing alternatives include the Lilly House terrace or the bridge between the house and the Richard D. Wood Formal Garden. 

These are the last, fleeting moments to enjoy the final sighs of the daffodils and tulips. Many of them are beginning to wilt or fall apart, but some are holding strong. Those that remain are shining beacons of color, astonishingly enticing, beckoning us to wander along and enjoy a technicolor feel that can only be found in these final weeks of Spring Blooms presented by Wild Birds Unlimited.   

The front of both border gardens are sporting dazzling displays of deep pink thanks to the ‘Yosemite’ tulips that just started showing off.  There are some pretty, pastel pink ‘Menton’ tulips along Horticulturist Leah Coughlin’s bed outside of the Richard D. Wood Formal Garden. She made this smart design choice to lure folks over to the entry of a small mulch footpath where she has a bevy of botanical delights awaiting those curious enough to meander through. 

Camassia in Garden for Everyone 

One of my favorite perennial bulbs, Camassia, is in full bloom right now. Chad Franer, The Tom and Nora Hiatt Director of Horticulture has an impressive swath planted just inside the entrance of Garden for Everyone. The genus, Camassia, has a number of species native to North America and its tuber is an important traditional food crop for many indigenous cultures. It doesn’t hurt that it’s jaw droppingly gorgeous—a wave of blue dancing in a warm breeze. 

Many container plantings are becoming even more dynamic and interesting (in my opinion) as the annuals take center stage with their many textures and nuanced palettes. You’ll find nemesia draping over the sides of Senior Horticulturist Patty Schnieder’s containers behind Lilly House, poppy-anemone blooming their little heads off in Helen Morlock, our lead seasonal gardener’s, pots along Woodstock Drive, and some stunningly fluffy ranunculus begging to be squeezed at Garden Terrace (please don’t though!). 

Tuxedo-colored plantings outside the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion. 

Curator of Herbaceous Plants and Seasonal Garden Design Irvin Etienne’s tuxedo-colored design outside the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion has gotten even better in the last week. The austere black and white tulips are continuing on their merry way while a black elderberry (Sambucus nigra Laced Up®) is leafing out in almost grotesque, fascinating tight clusters of dark foliage along the stems. If you aren’t as into the strangeness of his shrubs like I am, you’ll probably be stopped by the tiniest deep purple blooms on the baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii ‘Penny Black’) at the front of the display. You do you, boo.  

My strongest descriptor word for The Garden right now as our Living Collection wakes up for the season is “verdant.” It feels fresh, warm, and like it’s the perfect time to take a deep breath in and savor this magical time. 

Until Next Week (for the last update of the year), 

Jaime Frye