Stapelias are succulents that are mostly native to Southern Africa. These stars of the desert are notable for large, unusual flowers that are star-like in shape and can grow up to 16 inches wide.

Unlike other plants that lure pollinators with bright colors or sweet nectar, these “carrion” flowers give off an unpleasant smell to attract flies and bees. It’s best to keep them outdoors when in bloom.

This species, the Stapelia Hirsuta has reddish brown blooms covered with fine purple hairs and reaches a magnificent 10 inches in diameter.
 
Since they grow naturally in the desert, stapelias require bright light, warm temperatures and a very well-drained type of soil. Most species do best in a climate that doesn’t fall below 60 degrees F.

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Sansevieria is a group of succulents that are primarily found in Africa. Commonly known as the Snake Plant, their hardiness and virtual indestructability make them a favorite among home gardeners. The long, upright leaves of green or yellow grow to over 3 feet tall, adding dramatic flair to any setting.

Sansevieria contains many different species, including the familiar Mother in-law’s Tongue or Sansevieria trifasciata. The pictured variety known as Sansevieria cylindrica has bluish green foliage, cylinder shaped, that fan out to very sharp tips. In the summer it blooms with small white flowers that produce a sweet fragrance. The orange berry-like fruit adds a striking element to its already unique display.

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What's blooming at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory?

You!

The Conservatory is hosting a volunteer recruiting event on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30. Stop by and learn how you can help Baltimore's famous "glass house," as a tour guide, a greeter or on special projects.

Also on Wednesday, the Conservatory will have have special children's activities from 6 to 7 p.m. This will be a regular feature at the Conservatory on the second Wednesday of the month through September. This week, the activity is transplanting basil.

And finally, the Conservatory is open to the public until 7:30 on Wednesday nights to coincice with the new Farmers Market.

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Heliconia bihai
 
Heliconias are prized for their distinctive tropical color, making them a favorite in most exotic arrangements. The actual flowers are small and found inside "bracts," a specialized leaf that protects an inflorescence. These bracts can resemble lobster claws or in this case a beak, giving it the common name of “Firebird” or “Macaw.”

The waxy cups come in shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange, attracting many birds and insects. Besides the brilliant splash of color, they’re perfect for holding water and make a natural water fountain.

This specimen, known as the “Yellow Dancer," grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet and has large, green, banana-shaped leaves. They’re found in the rain forests of South America and the Caribbean.

Heliconias prefer light shade to full sun and a humid environment. They thrive in pots and can bring a tropical paradise to any environment.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Callistemon citrinus
 
The crimson bottlebrush is an easily grown shrub with spectacular crimson flowers that have a distinctive “bottlebrush” shape.

At the Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore's Druid Hill Park they can be found in the Mediterranean House and are now in full bloom. They are native to Australia and were introduced to Britain by naturalist Joseph Banks in 1789.
 
This woody plant reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet. Flowers grow from 1 to 6 inches in length and generally blooms n spring.

It does best in full sun and likes regular watering. Recommended for USDA zones 8-10. Can tolerate low temperatures but prefers a warm climate. They can be grown in pots but a greenhouse is best where freezing occurs.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Prostanthera phylicifolia
 
The Mediterranean House at the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens is beginning its annual display of spectacular and fragrant blooms.

One of the true gems is the Prostanthera phylicifolia or the Spiked Mint-bush, a large evergreen shrub that is now bursting with small purple flowers.

Native to Australia, this member of the Lamiaceae family grows to a height of 5 to 6 feet with a 3 to 4 foot spread. The narrow dark green foliage resembles rosemary and has a strong mint aroma.

According to the Australian aborigines, the leaves can be used as a remedy for headaches and colds. The plant does well in full sun to part shade and likes a well-drained soil. Best in USDA zones 9-10.

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Megaskepasma erythrochlamys

Generally known as the Red Cloak, this gorgeous tropical produces large crimson and pink spikes with white flowers that last for months. The genus name means “large covering” and its dense, shiny green foliage grows upright and lush, making it ideal as an ornamental shrub or hedge.
 
Native to the woodlands of Venezuela, this plant will thrive in full to part sun and will grow to 8 to 12 feet. It requires little maintenance and can tolerate a light freeze but does best in zones 9-11.

Keep it moist in warmer months, less so when it’s cool and in a well-draining soil.

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Commonly called the Chenille Plant, after the French word “chenille” which means caterpillar,  the long velvety tassels hang down from the branches and resemble fuzzy caterpillars or cattails.
 

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Phaius Tankervilliae
 
Phaius are a genus of large, showy orchids that inhabit the tropical regions of China, Japan, Indonesia and Australia. They have gained popularity because of their impressive 3 to 4 foot stalks that are covered with clusters of showy blossoms.

This variety, Phaius Tankervillia, commonly known as the “Nun’s Orchid” because of its hooded flower, has brilliant flowers of creamy white and rusty red with a purple lip. Large dark green leaves compliment the blooms.
 
Most Phaius are terrestrial, meaning they grow in soil, unlike most other orchids. They are fairly easy to grow and like good air circulation, bright light and warm temperatures.

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon
 

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Livistona chinensis
 
The Livistona chinensis or the Chinese Fan Palm is one of the majestic palms found in the original Palm House at Baltimore’s Rawlings Conservatory.

This slow-growing palm can reach a height of 40 feet with leaves growing over six feet long. Nestled close to the trunk high up in the spread of its fronds is a spray of small yellow flowers that will eventually turn into small, blue-black, olive-like fruits.
 
It grows naturally in the woodlands of southern China and Japan where natives still use the leaves for making fans. The name of the genus honors Patrick Murray, a 17th-century Scottish nobleman whose plant collection became the Edinburgh Botanic Garden.
 
Adaptable to zones 9 through 11.

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Photo by Michael Lemmon

Lycaste Consobrina
 
Lycastes are a genus of orchids named after the beautiful daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy.

They are easy to grow and produce large triangular shaped flowers in many different colors. Most are fragrant and long lasting, making them a favorite among orchid growers.

This Mexican beauty, the Lycaste Consobrina, has a strong cinnamon scent. Lycastes prefer warmer temperatures in the spring and summer months with cooler conditions in the winter when they will require a little more light. They like a well-draining medium, a moderate level of humidity and good air circulation.

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Pelargonium Citrosum
 
The Mediterranean House at Baltimore’s Rawlings Conservatory bursts into flower during the months of January and February  providing a wonderful contrast to the barrenness outside.

One of the first plants to bloom is this amazing geranium commonly known as the Mosquito or Citronella Plant, named for the popular belief that the lemony scent of its attractive foliage can repel mosquitoes.

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Canna-x-generalis

“Lucifer”
 
The Canna will stand out with its bold splash of color and tropical leaves. This hybrid called “Lucifer” is particularly striking with a flame-like flower of fiery red and brilliant yellow.

Canna lilies, as they’re commonly called, are native to Central and South America and love a tropical climate. They do best when grown in full sun and like a rich moist soil. Hardy in USDA Zones 8-12, they can also be grown in colder climates where they will need to be heavily mulched.

Cannas grow to different sizes: towering to an impressive 8-feet tall or with a variety of dwarf species like this one that will only get to 2 to 3 feet.

They come in a wide variety of colors, different types of foliage and will certainly be demanding attention in any garden.

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

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Encyclia cochleata or Prosthechea cochleata

This flower is known as the cockleshell orchid or clamshell orchid because of the upside down lip on its bloom.

The unusual flower is striking for its almost black purple and light green tentacles. In Mexico it is refered to as “pulpo” since it resembles an octopus.

Encyclias are an easy to grow and will bloom for several months. They prefer low to medium light and warm temperatures.

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

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Text and photo by Michael Lemmon

Gardenia jasminoides
 
Billie Holiday was known for always wearing this classic in her hair. The gardenia is an evergreen shrub with shiny, green leaves that can grow up to 6 feet tall.

Mostly prized for its strong, sweet fragrance, the flowers are just as captivating with long-lasting white petals getting to 4 inches in diameter. Originating in Asia they have become popular worldwide for their beauty.

Gardenias prefer a warm tropical climate and good drainage. They require a little more care but are definitely worth the extra effort!

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Haemanthus albiflos
 
Haemanthus albiflos is a beautiful bulb that grows in the the cool, shady areas of the coastal region of South Africa.

In late autumn or early winter, they form small white clusters tipped in bright yellow that resemble a shaving brush, giving it the common name “White Paint Brush.”

It prefers light shade and a well-drained soil. This plant does best in warmer climates but is easy to maintain in pots and can be brought indoors in frost prone areas.

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Photo credit: David Simpson

"Glass House of Dreams" is an extraordinary pictorial history of Baltimore's Conservatory in Druid Hill Park, extolling the beauty of what might be the second oldest such structure in the United States.

Written by Margaret Stansbury, who was instrumental in the preservation of the conservatory, and with photographs by David Simpson, the coffee table book tells the story of the Victorian structure of glass and steel that opened in 1888 and, with its exotic and tropical plants, was a refuge for city dwellers.

My colleague, Fred Rasmussen, describes the book and the history of the conservatory in his column in The Sun.

In addition, The Sun has posted a gallery of photos from the book.

Build on the land sold to the city by Lloyd Nicholas Rogers in 1860, the conservatory, Rasmussen writes, may, for a moment, trick the visitor into thinking "he has gotten lost and ended up instead in Belle Epoque London, Vienna or Paris."

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Photo credit: Baltimore Sun/Kim Hairston

“Mums, Mischief and Merriment,” the fall garden show at the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park, runs through Sunday, Nov. 21.

The medieval theme includes a lady dragon made of mums and her glittering mosaic egg, knights, and towering castle walls. There are shields and banners and a stockade.

Oh. Right. And 40 varieties of mums, including 1,300 in pots and hundreds more in the body of the dragon and in the hanging mum "balls."

The Conservatory is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but a $5 donation by adults is suggested.

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Photo credit: Baltimore Sun/Kim Hairston

“Mums, Mischief and Merriment,” the fall garden show at the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park, opens Saturday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 21.

The medieval theme includes a lady dragon made of mums and her glittering mosaic egg, knights, and towering castle walls. There are shields and banners and a stockade.

Oh. Right. And 40 varieties of mums, including 1,300 in pots and hundreds more in the body of the dragon and in the hanging mum "balls."

Kate Blom, general manager of the Conservatory, has made lots of "friends" in Baltimore. Thus the shields are on loan from Centre Stage and the banners and knights came from the Renaissance Festival.

If the castle walls and balcony look familiar, it is because "we recycle everything," Kate said. They were once the walls of China, Mexico, the Emerald City and Victorian England in previous garden shows.  "We just put a new face on them."

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Pitcairnia Sanguinea
 
Pitcairnia Sanguinea is a colorful tropical that is native to Columbia, Peru, and Brazil. Part of the Bromeliad family, they produce a branched bloom that is a bright red and have striking leaves that are deep green with a burgundy underside.

You can see them in bloom now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

The plant was named in honor of Dr. William Pitcairn, an English physician and gardener (1711-1791.)  They prefer shade and moist soil and do best in USDA zone 10

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Talk about your glass ceiling....

The staff at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park have had to remove a pane of glass in the ceiling to make room for a spire from an agave plant that should bloom any day now.

For the first time since the Conservatory was renovated in 2004, the huge agave, already impressive at over 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, is expected to shoot a long spike of flowers through the roof, possibly reaching a height of 25 feet.

This dramatic plant started sending out its flower spike around September 17 and is growing fast, gaining almost 4 feet in less than a week. Conservatory staff removed a pane of glass from the greenhouse roof to allow the spike to continue growing toward the sky. William Vondrasek, Chief of Parks for Baltimore City, has described it as the park’s “own beanstalk.”
 
Agaves are native to Mexico but can also grow in the southern and western parts of the United States. In the wild, agaves can take up to 30 years to bloom. Most plants die after flowering. Not to worry though, because they send out “pups” or smaller plants that will grow from the crown of the original plant.

This particular variety, an americana marginata, has thick, green leaves with creamy yellow stripes that can grow to over 7 feet long.

Be careful. They are lined with razor sharp hooks.  The flowers will be a yellowish green and should last about three weeks.

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Echeveria Secunda
 
Echeveria is a large group of succulents that belong to the Crassulaceae family and are native to Mexico and northern South America.

Named after the 18th century Spanish botanist Atansio Echeverria Codoy, they are commonly called “Hens and Chicks.” You can see them now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

This specimen, an Echeveria Secunda, has beautiful rossettes of ice blue and produces bell-shaped flowers of pink and orange. They will multiply and form a dense carpet and are perfect for ground cover. They also suitable for containers.

Recommended for USDA zones 9-11.

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Punica granatum

Punica granatum, commonly called the pomegranate, is a fruit-bearing round shrub or tree that can grow up to 15 feet tall and it is currently on display at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

It is native to Iran and the northern part of India. It prefers a semi-dry to tropical climate and is now widely cultivated through much of the Mediterranean region.

Pomegranate trees like lots of sun and a well-drained soil. They do best in USDA zones 7-10 but can be adapted to containers or heavily mulched for the winter.
 
The pomegranate represents marriage and fertility and is full of religious symbolism. The Greeks thought of it as the fruit of the Underworld. In Judaism it is believed to have 613 seeds representing the 613 commandments of the Torah. In Buddhism it is considered one of the most blessed fruits. Some biblical versions of the Garden of Eden portray Eve eating a pomegranate instead of an apple.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Cattleya

Cattleyas are one of the true gems of the orchid family.

With their large, colorful blooms, they have been called the “Queen of the Orchids” and are one of the most popular.

Mostly used in corsages, they have earned the reputation of being the flower of love.

According to legend if you place a bloom under your pillow before you sleep, you will dream of your future love.

Cattleyas are epiphytes or “air plants”  and store water through organs known as pseudobulbs.

They require bright light, humidity, and prefer a well draining medium, such as bark. 

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Crinum Augustum
 
The Crinum Augustum or “Queen Emma” is a majestic perennial that will stand out in any garden, and it is blooming right now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park. 

It is native to the tropical areas of southern Asia and will need to grow in a frost-free area.

Its green and purple strap-like leaves can reach 5 to 8 feet tall and emerge from a bulb weighing up to 20 pounds.

The large fragrant flowers are white and purple and grow on long purple stalks.
 

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Hymenocallis Americana

Hymenocallis are a distinct genus of plants that have large beautiful white flowers and are commonly known as the spider lily. The sepals are long and curve outward giving them a "spider-like" look, and they are blooming now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

Native to Mexico, South America, and the southern portion of the United States,  they prefer partial shade and moist conditions like swamps and bogs.

Spider lilies can be grown in containers and do nicely as indoor plants. Keep them in a well-drained soil such as an African violet mix and provide bright indirect sunlight.
During the winter months reduce watering.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

The plumeria is an exotic beauty recognized most as the welcoming “lei flower” in Hawaii where it is called “melia.”

Native to the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Mexico, this tropical has delicate blooms that come in a range of yellows and pinks and have a strong, sweet fragrance.

It is named after Charles Plumier, a seventeenth-century French botanist.

Another name for plumeria is frangipani, named after an Italian noble family that created a plumeria-scented perfume.

In Asia the plant is believed to shelter ghosts and is widely planted in cemeteries.  It is blooming now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Hamelia Patens

Hamelia Patens,  commonly known as “Firebush,” is a tropical shrub that is now blooming at Baltimore’s Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

It will brighten any garden with its blazing orange-red flowers and will attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Almost as striking as the flowers, the leaves will turn a shade of red when planted in direct sunlight.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

No soil required!

Tillandsias are an amazing group of plants that come in a variety of shapes and are easy to care for.

They differ from most other plants because they draw nutrients and moisture from the air through specially designed cells found on their leaves.

Usually called “air plants,” their root systems are used to anchor them to a host system, such as a branch or rock.

They are part of the Bromeliad family and can be found in tropical forests, mountains and even deserts.

At Baltimore’s Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park, there is an epiphytic wall in the Tropical Room that is full of tillandsias now in bloom and displaying a wide range of reds, purples and pinks.

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Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Clivia Miniata

The Clivia  is a tropical stand-out and will grab your attention with its striking orange flowers and deep green leaves.

Part of the amaryllis family but commonly called a “Bush lily,” it is native to South Africa and was first collected by British explorer William Burchell in 1813.

 This specimen, now blooming at Baltimore’s Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park, is called a Clivia Miniata and is one of the most common.

Clivias prefer bright light but will do best in shade if moved outdoors. In order to bloom they require a brief rest period, generally 12-14 weeks without watering.

Best in USDA zones 9-11 but will do fine if brought indoors for winter.

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Photo courtesy of Ed Borack

The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens in Druid Hill Park has unveiled a new Entry Plaza Mosaic, titled, "Bright Palms” and designed by Baltimore artist Joyce J. Scott.

The Entry Plaza Mosaic depicts a classic, pastoral scene in Druid Hill Park, which comes alive through brightly colored porcelain tiles.

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They grow in cascading arches with buds of an opalescent white and pink shade. They look very similar to small seashells, giving it the common name "Shell ginger." When they open, the flowers are a pink color with a striking lip of yellow and red.

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