Garden Photo of the Day

Spring in Norfolk

Early bloom at a botanical garden

A pond with a fountain in it

Hi all, this is Joseph, your GPOD editor, and today I’m sharing some photos from a trip I took at the end of March to Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia.

Hedge covered with red flowersThe gardens have one of the largest collections of camellias (Camellia species and hybrids, generally Zones 7–10) in the Eastern United States. This is the sight as you drive in—a long hedge of camellias in stunning full bloom.

rosemary shrub with purple flowersA big rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, Zone 7 or 8–10). When I lived in Michigan, I never saw rosemary bloom, but in warmer climates it covers itself with purple flowers in late winter or early spring.

pond at Norfolk Botanical GardensThe gardens are quite large and feature some beautiful views, like this pond and fountain backed by tall pines and a huge collection of camellias beyond.

Big mass of green helleboresHellebores are always popular for their winter blooms and pest resistance. This is the species Helleborus foetidus (Zones 5–9), which produces big masses of pale green flowers.

Stachyurus bloomsStachyurus is a large shrub that produces these distinctive tassels of dangling flowers. I think this is Stachyurus praecox (Zones 6–8), but I’m not sure because I couldn’t find a tag.

Narcissus White PetticoatA sweet little daffodil (Narcissus ‘White Petticoat’, Zones 5–9)

A bench in an early spring garden garden Visitors can sit and enjoy the early spring blooms in this nice little nook.

Japanese pieris along a pathJapanese pieris (Pieris japonica, Zones 5–9) draping itself with clusters of pink flowers.

Closeup of the flowers of Japanese pierisClose-up of the flowers of Japanese pieris

little moth orchidThere is a small greenhouse full of tropical plants, like this little moth orchid (Phalaenopsis hybrid, tropical) growing on the trunk of another tree, like it would in the wild.

variegated monsteraThey even had one of the trendiest tropical plants in the world right now: a variegated monstera (Monstera deliciosa). I’ve got to confess—I don’t see what all the fuss is about! But it was fun to see one anyway.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 04/09/2021

    Thanks for sharing your trip photos :)

  2. sagebird52 04/09/2021

    From the cold high Rockies it is delightful to see such floral displays. Thank you for the photos - a great way to start the day.

  3. gardendevas 04/09/2021

    Ah, zone envy from northeast Ohio...

  4. margotnavarre 04/09/2021

    Joseph,

    I enjoyed your pictures and glad you are getting out to see the spring gardens. Look forward to seeing more pictures on your next outing. Happy spring.

  5. User avater
    treasuresmom 04/09/2021

    Wow. That Stachyurus is out of this world.

  6. User avater
    simplesue 04/09/2021

    Love that photo with the path and the Japanese pieris- wow!

  7. User avater
    cynthia2020 04/09/2021

    Hi, Joseph. I enjoyed looking at the variety of plants that you saw - it's great to get out to public gardens!

    Regarding the variegated monstera - it's nice to know what is uber popular!
    I remember at least one Garden Photo of the Day photographer from the last year had monstera in their home and it looked great!

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