Plants in Bloom
March highlights
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Daffodils
A true harbinger of spring, this perennial bulb holds significant meaning and symbolism in both Eastern and Western cultures. Daffodils are also a popular choice among plant breeders, with over 32,000 registered varieties globally.
Narcissus cultivars (daffodils) on Daffodil Hill. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Camellia ‘April Remembered’
Camellias bloom throughout the Japanese Garden in fall, winter, and into spring. This lovely pink-blossomed cultivar is one of the later ones to bloom in spring.
Camellia japonica 'April Remembered' (camellia) in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Korean Rhododendron
Rhododendron mucronulatum (Korean rhododendron) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Buttercup Winter-Hazel
Native to Taiwan and Japan, this deciduous shrub boasts clusters of fragrant, pastel yellow flowers in early spring. This winter-hazel attracts bees and hummingbirds, and is a member of the Hamamelidaceae, or witch-hazel family.
Corylopsis pauciflora (buttercup winter-hazel) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Black Pussy Willow
Native to Asia, this pussy willow is most striking in early spring when glossy, deep black catkins shed their pointy bud scales. This deciduous shrub prefers consistently moist, fast-draining soil along streams and ponds.
Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’ (black pussy willow) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Greenstem Forsythia
Declared the official flower of Brooklyn in 1940, the forsythia boasts bright yellow flowers in early spring. Though sometimes confused with witch-hazel, another early-spring bloomer, forsythias have tubular, four-petaled flowers and belong to the Oleaceae, or olive family.
Forsythia viridissima (greenstem forsythia) in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Dawn Arrowwood
In early spring, clusters of fragrant, light pink blossoms open from dark pink buds along the bare branches of this deciduous shrub.
Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’ (dawn arrowwood) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Misczenko Squill
One of the shorter plants in the Scilla genus, this Iranian native has relatively large, fragrant flowers. They grow along Celebrity Path, in the Overlook, and in large swaths along Belle's Brook.
Scilla mischtschenkoana (Misczenko squill) in the Water Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Flowering Apricot
Part of the same genus as cherries, apricots also produce gorgeous, delicate spring blooms that are cherished in the Japanese culture. This specimen is located along the Shakespeare Garden and blooms just before most of the early blooming cherries.
Prunus armeniaca (flowering apricot) in the Shakespeare Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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‘Okame’ Flowering Cherry
‘Okame’ is one of the first cherry cultivars to bloom and marks the unofficial start of cherry blossom season. Its deep carmine-rose buds open to lighter-tinted flowers before leaves appear.
Prunus × incam ‘Okame’ (Japanese flowering cherry) in the Cherry Walk & Cultivar Collection. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Witch-Hazel ‘Wisley Supreme’
Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ (witch-hazel 'Wisley Supreme') in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Japanese Pieris
The delicate early-spring blooms of Japanese pieris resemble blueberry flowers, and the plants are indeed related. They’re members of the heath family. A number of pieris cultivars can be found in the Rock Garden and Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.
Pieris japonica 'Valley Rose' (Japanese pieris) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Autumn-Flowering Cherry
‘Jugatsu-zakura’ begins blooming around October, continues sporadically into December, and finishes in the spring with a last burst coinciding with new foliage. Pale pink flowers are single to double and can be quite striking during winter thaws.
Prunus × subhirtella ‘Jugatsu-zakura’ (autumn-flowering cherry) in the Cherry Walk & Cultivar Collection. Photo: Elizabeth Peters.
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Pussy Willow
Pussy willows are actually flowers of certain willow species just before they fully bloom. The soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect these early bloomers from cold temperatures.
Salix discolor (pussy willow) along the edge of the Discovery Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Star Magnolia
The star magnolia is one of the first magnolias to bloom. Each blossom has a dozen or more thin, ribbonlike tepals.
Magnolia stellata (star magnolia) on Magnolia Plaza. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Winter Honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle) in the Fragrance Garden. Photo: Rebecca Bullene.
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Paperbush
In a practice dating back to 16th-century Japan, the bark of this deciduous shrub has been cultivated to make specialty, high-quality paper. Umbels of fragrant, tightly packed tubular flowers create a lantern-like effect in early spring.
Edgeworthia chrysantha (paperbush) in the Early Spring Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Hellebore
Hellebores bloom in winter and early spring, when few other plants do. They are native to Europe and Asia, so they have no natural pollinators here. They can still be an emergency source of food for bees, flies, and other insects if no native flowers are available.
Helleborus sp. (hellebore) in the Osborne Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Nun Orchid
Phaius tankervilleae (nun orchid) in the Entry House. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Crocus
Crocuses begin popping up in small numbers at at first and soon start to blanket large stretches of lawns and beds all over the Garden. They’re a welcome sign of spring and also a source of nectar and pollen for hungry bees and other pollinators.
Crocus (crocus) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Mexican Pincushion
Mammillaria magnimamma (Mexican pincushion) in the Desert Pavilion. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Snowdrop
Snowdrops are usually the first bulbs to bloom and a sign of more to come. As the snow finally melts, these white blossoms appear, blanketing the Garden, as well as parks and gardens all around Brooklyn.
Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Tritonia dubia
Tritonia dubia (Tritonia dubia) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Caper Bush
Capparis spinosa var. inermis (caper bush) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Lady’s Hand
Cyanella hyacinthoides (lady's hand) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Ozark Witch-Hazel
Hamamelis vernalis (Ozark witch-hazel) in the Discovery Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Witch-Hazel ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ (witch-hazel ‘Arnold Promise’) in the Perennial Border. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Watsonia
Watsonia borbonica subsp. borbonica (watsonia) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Witch-Hazel ‘Diane’
Witch-hazel blooms in winter, usually during a warm spell, but the flowers persist after the temperature drops back down. The ribbonlike petals curl up temporarily, and as soon as the temperature rises, they unfurl again.
Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Diane’ (witch-hazel ‘Diane’) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Early Flowering Cherry
Native to the mountains of western China, this rare species of cherry tree is one of the first to bloom. Subtly fragranced flowers adorn this cherry in early spring, followed by fiery red foliage in fall.
Prunus hirtipes (early flowering cherry) in the Plant Family Collection. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Daffodils
Narcissus 'Tittle Tattle' (daffodil cultivar) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Chinese Witch-Hazel
Witch-hazel blooms in winter, usually during a warm spell, but the flowers persist after the temperature drops back down. The ribbonlike petals curl up temporarily, and as soon as the temperature rises, they unfurl again.
Hamamelis mollis (witch-hazel) in the Early Spring Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Dwarf Iris
These low-growing irises appear in late winter and early spring. This fragrant hybrid, ‘Katharine Hodgkin’, was introduced in 1958 by E.B. Anderson and named after the wife of fellow U.K. breeder Eliot Hodgkin.
Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ (dwarf iris) in the Shakespeare Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Japanese Apricot
The Japanese apricot is one of the first flowering trees of the genus Prunus (which includes the famous cherries) to bloom each year. These delicate blossoms are a sign of more to come.
Prunus mume ‘Bonita’ (Japanese Apricot) in the Washington Avenue Border. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Japanese Pink Pussy Willow
Pussy willows are starting to pop, including this pretty pink cultivar in the Water Garden. The fuzzy nubs are the male catkin flowers, just before they fully blossom. They're a delightful harbinger of spring.
Salix gracilistyla 'Mt. Aso' (Japanese pink pussy willow) in the Water Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Witch-Hazel ‘Jelena’
This witch hazel cultivar has fragrant, multicolored flowers ranging from orange to dark copper, and a beautiful natural vase-shaped form. It blooms from January to March.
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ (witch-hazel ‘Jelena’) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Japanese Quince
This flowering Japanese quince shows off colorful blooms in mid- to late-winter. Though a different species than the common quince, it also produces a fragrant, but smaller, fruit in the fall.
Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Texas Scarlet’ (Japanese quince) in the Osborne Garden. Photo: Romi Ige.
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Stinking Hellebore
Helleborus foetidus (stinking hellebore) Photo: Elizabeth Peters.
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Spring Heath
Spring heath is one of the first alpine shrubs to bloom in the Rock Garden. Its tiny, bell-shaped flowers blossom just before the azaleas and are a welcome sign of spring.
Erica carnea 'Springwood Pink' (spring heath) in the Rock Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Yulan Magnolia
The yulan magnolia has been cultivated in its native China for more than 1,000 years. Like many early blooming magnolias, it's precocious, which means its flowers appear before the leaves.
Magnolia denudata (yulan magnolia) in the Magnolia Plaza. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Saucer Magnolia
The stunning early-blooming saucer magnolia blooms in varying shades of white, pink, and purple, and flowers reach up to eight inches across. The Garden has a dozen saucers in Magnolia Plaza.
Magnolia × soulangeana (saucer magnolia) in the Magnolia Plaza. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Halehaven Peach
Peaches are closely related to cherries and many cultivars have similar ornamental blossoms. The ‘Halehaven’ peach tree in the Herb Garden produces gorgeous spring blossoms which also yield tasty summer fruits.
Prunus persica 'Halehaven' (peach) in the Herb Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Magnolia ‘Galaxy’
This deep pink magnolia hybrid blooms a little later than the precocious blooming hybrids, usually just as the leaves are emerging.
Magnolia × soulangeana (magnolia) in the Magnolia Plaza. Photo: Sarah Schmidt.
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Weeping Higan Cherry
A lovely, weeping cherry, ‘Pendula’ is usually one of the earliest cherries to bloom. Its delicate blossoms range from nearly white to pink in color.
Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula' (weeping higan cherry) in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Camellia ‘Julia Drayton’
Camellia japonica ‘Julia Drayton’ (Camellia ‘Julia Drayton’) in the Bonsai Museum. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Camellia ‘Japanese Fantasy’
Camellia 'Japanese Fantasy' (Camellia 'Japanese Fantasy') in the Bonsai Museum. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Japanese Apricot ‘Kobai’
This tree can be found in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, and is primarily grown for ornamental purposes. The pink flowers bloom in mid to late winter and are followed by green to yellow fruit.
Prunus mume ‘Kobai’ (Japanese Apricot ‘Kobai’) in the Bonsai Museum. Photo: Michael Stewart.
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Bird-of-Paradise ‘Mandela’s Gold’
This specimen, in bloom in the Warm Temparate Pavilion, was grown at BBG from seed provided by Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden in Cape Town, South Africa. The cultivar is prized for its distinctive yellow sepals and named for Nelson Mandela.
Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (bird of paradise cultivar) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Sarah Schmidt.
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Starfish-Lily
Ferraria crispa (Starfish-lily ) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Rebecca Bullene.
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Orchid
Dendrobium anosmum (orchid) in the Aquatic House. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Osa Pulchra
Osa pulchra is endangered in its native Costa Rica and Panama—there are only 30 plants left in the wild. In North America, it is found only in a few botanic gardens as it is difficult to propagate.
Osa pulchra (osa pulchra) in the Steinhardt Conservatory. Photo: Lee Patrick.
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Cape Buttercup
Sparaxis elegans (cape buttercup) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Sarah Schmidt.
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White Candle
Whitfieldia elongata (white candle) in the Tropical Pavilion. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Cardinal’s Guard
Pachystachys coccinea (cardinal's guard) in the Tropical Pavilion. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Higan Cherry Bonsai
Prunus subhirtella (higan cherry bonsai) in the Bonsai Museum. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Flowering Quince Bonsai
Chaenomeles x superba 'Corallina' (flowering quince) in the Bonsai Museum. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Stachyurus
Stachyurus praecox near the Home Composting Exhibit. Photo: Blanca Begert.
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Oregon-Grape
Mahonia x media 'Underway' (Oregon-grape) in the Washington Avenue Border. Photo: Rebecca Bullene.
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Heart-Leaved Pelargonium
This perennial has a long season of bloom, boasting lightly-scented pink flowers with dark purple veins. The heart-leaved pelargonium is native to a highly biodiverse shrubland region of South Africa.
Pelargonium cordifolium (heart-leaved Pelargonium) in the Warm Temperate Pavilion. Photo: Uli Lorimer.
