BY DAVID P. DAVIS
Now is a great time to visit The West Virginia Botanic Garden to take in the late summer blooms. At this time of year, the Yagle Garden and the Butterfly Garden are reaching a blooming peak and there is a lot to see.
In the Yagle Garden, the hibiscus and hydrangea continue to shine displaying a great variety of blooms. A new addition to the list of bloomers is our dwarf Joe Pye weed, genus Eupatorium, that has formed a number of large clusters throughout the garden. These smaller versions of our larger native wildflower stand about 3-4 feet tall, with clusters of purple-pink compound blooms at their apex. The dwarf Joe Pye is perfect for situations where you might prefer the native perennial but require a plant of smaller stature. The blooms are also preferred by our bees and butterflies comparable to the wild-type variety.
In the Butterfly Garden, joining the cardinal flowers and tall Joe Pye, are the pink turtlehead flowers (Chelone lyonii) a member of the plantain family. This is one of the most uniquely shaped blooms at the WVBG as the flower petals arch and pinch together to form what looks like a turtle’s head (you might have to use your imagination a bit). This native perennial is clump forming and prefers some shade and damp soils. Our main population at the WVBG has grown quite a bit in recent years to take in a larger area making for a lovely display.
Throughout the WVBG visitors on warm sunny days are treated with butterflies and bees galore. I am happy to say that we must be doing something right in West Virginia as our insect population seems to be rather robust this year taking in the nectar and pollen of all our blooms.
Please come and visit your WVBG soon and become a member today.
