The Los Angeles Arboretum is always in bloom and what is blooming is always changing from month to month and even week to week. Here are some highlights for mid-February.
- South African section - Aloes as a genus have a long bloom season and even if one saw the aloes in January, that is no reason to skip this section of the garden, for different species are blooming now. Because of the similarity in climate, many South African plants are also suitable landscaping plants for the Los Angeles area and some familiar favorites in full bloom include bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae), chasmanthe, Cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), and freeway daisies (Osteospermum fruticosum).
- Greenhouses and vicinity - February is not typically epiphyllym blooming time but one specimen was showing off, the hot pink epiphyllum "Beautie Wegener". Look for the Chinese yellow banana (Musella lasiocarpa) outside the carnivorous plant house. A stand of cymbidium orchids is blooming outside the orchid house. Dozens of other orchids and bromeliads are blooming inside the house.
- Meadowbrook section - The stars of the Meadowbrook section at this time of year are the magnolias. Do not overlook the smaller shrubs and perennials in this area, including forsythia, razzleberry (Loropetalum chinensis), wedding flower (Dombeya), clivia, and narcissus.
Be sure to view the slideshow for a sampler of what is in bloom. Even better, go to the Arboretum and view the flowers in real life.
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