NOTE: The 'Big Chill' of January 2007 caused a considerable amount of plant damage at the Arboretum, especially in areas like the South African section with all its succulent species. It remains to be seen how many plants were killed and how many can make a comeback, and at this point it isn't clear to what extent species that would have been likely to bloom over the next couple of months will bloom. The Arboretum as a whole is still a beautiful place and well worth visiting, and my sympathies go out to the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to make it the special place that it is. In the meantime, I recommend a visit to the Train Depot which is a fascinating look into the history of the Arboretum. It is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-4 and Sundays from 1-4. However, as the many pictures for this month show, there are still plenty of things in bloom to enjoy.

Kalanchoe marmorata
Spotted kalanchoe, Penwiper plant
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop family)
Sudan

Phalaenopsis pallens
No common name recorded
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Philippines

Cattleya aurantiaca
Orange cattleya
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Central America

Bauhinia variegata 'Rubra'
Orchid tree
Fabaceae (Pea family)
Himalayan foothills to Malay Peninsula

Iris 'Victoria Falls'
Iris
Iridaceae (Iris family)
Hort.

Paphiopedilum 'Milmoore'
No common name recorded
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Hort. (Orig. India, Asia)

Phalaenopsis cultivar
No common name recorded
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Hort. (Orig. tropical Asia)

Acacia cultriformis
Knife acacia
Fabaceae (Pea family)
Eastern Australia

Parrotia persica
Ironwood
Hamamelidaceae (Witchhazel family)
Northern Iran and Russia

The Hamamelidaceae is a family of shrubs and small trees containing 27 genera and about 80-90 species in the order Saxifragales which includes the peonies, gooseberries and currants, saxifrages, and stonecrops. The family takes its name from the genus Hamamelis or witch-hazel, the name having been used by the ancient Greek for a plant called the medlar. An astringent extract of the bark and leaves of this genus is called witch-hazel and is used topically to treat bruises and insect bites. Loropetalum or Chinese fringe flower is a familiar resident of gardens. Species of this family are native to parts of eastern North America, Mexico, eastern Asia, Central America, Africa (including Madagascar), the Pacific Islands, and Australia. Leaves are simple and alternate. Liquidambar or sweet gum is no longer considered part of this family.

X Sophrolaeliocattleya
No common name recorded
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Trigeneric hybrid

Eucalyptus kitsoniana
Bog gum
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
Australia

Leptospermum scoparium 'Snowflake'
Tea tree
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
New Zealand and Tasmania

Tecoma stans
Yellowbells
Bignoniaceae (Bignonia family)
Southern U.S. to S. America

Roldana petasitis
Velvet groundsel
Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Central America

Viola sp.
Heartsease, Pansy, Violet
Violaceae (Violet family)

Magnolia X loebnerii
(M. kobus X M. stellata)
Loebner magnolia
Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
Hort.

Homalocladium platycladum
Ribbon bush, Tapeworm plant
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)
Solomon Islands

Phalaenopsis cultivar
Phalaenopsis
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Hort. (Orig. tropical Asia)

Coleonema pulchrum
Pink breath of heaven
Rutaceae (Rue family)
South Africa

Nuxia floribunda
Forest elder, Forest nuxia
Buddlejaceae (Buddleja family)
South Africa

Justicia californica
Chuparosa
Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Western U.S. and NW Mexico

Prunus mume 'Dione'
Japanese apricot
Rosaceae (Rose family)
Southern Japan

Eucalyptus lansdowneana
Crimson mallee box
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
South Australia

Montanoa guatemalensis
Tubú
Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Central America

Lavandula stoechas 'Madrid Pink'
Spanish lavender
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Mediterranean

Justicia sonorae
Sonoran water-willow
Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Texas and Mexico

Michelia doltsopa
Sweet michelia
Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
Western China and Himalayas