Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is an underused deciduous native shrub, but one that is gaining in popularity for a number of reasons. Growing from about 2’ to about 6’ in height, depending on the cultivar, it is a very tough plant able to grow in a wide range of garden conditions. It tolerates pollution, salt,…
The swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is an upright shrub-like herbaceous perennial that is commonly found in moist areas such as marshes or lake shores. It is a member of the Mallow family, Malvaceae. This plant is unique because of its showy, tropical-looking hibiscus flowers. The flowers are typically a large, beautiful, funnel shape with…
Hubricht’s bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) is a beautiful clump-forming, herbaceous perennial that has many noteworthy characteristics. It is a member of the Dogbane plant family, or Apocynaceae. One trait expressed by members of this family is a milky/latex sap. Due to this, Hubricht’s bluestar is not preferred by deer. It is known for its elegant powdery…
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a medium-sized, evergreen understory tree native to the southern coastal plain from the Gulf Coast across the top of Florida and up into South Carolina. Though not native to southeastern Pennsylvania, there are several cold-hardy selections that make it possible for us to enjoy this beautiful tree in our own…
August 8, 2018 – There has always been a Director with the Sweetman name at Jenkins Arboretum since 1974 until 2019. Leonard Sweetman was hired by the trustee at that time to begin the initial plantings even before opening to the public in 1976. As the only full-time gardening director, Leonard worked tirelessly for the…