Longwood Gardens – Part II

Colocasia (left to right) ‘Blue Hawaii’, ‘Elepaio’, ‘Mojito’ and ‘Thailand Giant’

I was at Longwood Gardens in September for an International Trial Gardens Conference. The gardens, renowned for its conservatory—click here for some photos—topiary garden, perennial border, fountains and many other features, has added trial garden plots to its list of reasons to visit. The garden trials give the public an opportunity to see how newer plant varieties perform. There were some luscious examples that I wanted to share with you. Please keep in mind that Longwood Gardens is located in the lovely Delaware Valley near Philadelphia, Penn., which is USDA Zone 7a.

Even though I don’t have any tropical-looking plants in my garden, I was quite taken with all the enormous Colocasia, especially the cultivar ‘Coffee Cups’. The annual ornamental peppers were amazing too, especially those that had multiple colored fruit on one plant. I hope you enjoy the photo tour.

Have you visited a trial garden?

Canna ‘Lemon Punch’

Canna ‘Orange Punch’

I love the contrast between shiny – ‘Diamond Head’ – and matte – ‘Black Coral’ – leaves

Colocasia esculenta ‘Blue Hawaii’

The very cool Colocasia ‘Coffee Cups’

As the name suggests, this Colocasia gigantia ‘Thailand Giant’ was enormous

Colocasia esculenta ‘Elepaio’

Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ has been around awhile, but it’s still a jaw-dropper

Capsicum annuum ‘Purple Flash’

Capsicum annuum ‘Garda Tricolor’