Siberian bugloss

Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla). This is near the front entrance to the greenhouse on the path to Marsteller St. Pictures taken April 29, 2009.

Link to Brunnera macrophylla:

Link to Brunnera macrophylla:

Link to Brunnera macrophylla:

Compare Siberian bugloss with the forget-me-not (Myosotis).  They’re closely related, both borage family plants (Boraginaceae).  Link

Variegated Solomon's Seal

This is Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'), just now beginning to flower. These pictures were taken April 28, 2009.

This is a horticultural variety of Polygonatum, the Solomon's seal that is common in our Indiana woodlands is a little bit different, that is Polygonatum biflorum.  Polygonatum odoratum is native to the Old World.

The first picture is between the Hort greenhouse main entrance and Marsteller St.  The second picture is another patch of Solomon's seal close by, behind the Horticulture building.

Variegated means that white stripiness to the leaves, sometimes plants have this form.

Link to Polygonatum odoratum:

Hawthorn

This is a hawthorn tree, at the SE corner of the Horticulture Building. It's just starting to flower. As the season progresses you'll notice that different plants come into flower at different times, and the hawthorns start to flower after you see the plum trees and the redbuds flowering. You can tell which trees are hawthorn trees from far off because the white flowers are in clusters and not scattered thoughout the tree. The flower clusters of the hawthorn are called corymbs, so now you know, don't go around calling them umbels. This particular tree is a downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis). I know because there's a sign under it that says so. You find hawthorn trees out in the wild in places like woods' edges and fencerows. It's hard to tell one species from another out there, so when you find them just call it a hawthorn or Crataegus.

Link to Crataegus

Link to Crataegus mollis

Pictures taken April 24, 2009.

Tulip tree

This tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is on the east side of the Horticulture Building, on Marstellar Street. The top picture shows the new leaves appearing in spring. Last year's brown seed cones are still visible on the twigs. In the winter when all the leaves are down on trees everywhere you can tell which ones are tulip trees by looking up in the branches and these seed cones are there.

The tulip tree is Indiana's state tree. If you go to Cold Springs Road in Indianapolis about every tree all up and down that road is a tulip tree. They are old enough to have been there since the tulip tree was designated the state tree in 1931.

Pictures taken April 24, 2009.

Link to Indiana State Tree:

Link to Liriodendron tulipifera:

Link to this tulip tree in flower:

Link to this tulip tree in winter:

Wild Ginger

This is wild ginger (Asarum canadense). It's a common thing to find in Indiana woodlands. It is growing in the Horticulture Gardens by the sidewalk approaching the greenhouse building entrance. Look under the leaves to find the odd brown flowers close to the ground. The flowers are that way because they are meant to be pollinated by insects crawling to the flowers.

Pictures taken April 24, 2009.

Link to Asarum canadense:

Link to Asarum canadense:

Link to Asarum canadense:

Two Primulas

These are located next to the greenhouse building. Drumstick Primula (Primula denticuata) and Primula x polyantha 'Large Flowered Mixed'.

Pictures taken April 22, 2009.

Link to Primula denticulata:

Link to Primula x polyantha:

New spring growth of Sweetgum

This is a sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), just starting up for the season. A few of last year's seed pods still hang on the twigs.

Picture taken April 22, 2009.

Link to Liquidambar styraciflua