Published on: April 09, 2014

With over 1,200 plants added at the Garden in 2013, staff and volunteers enjoyed watching these new acquistions grow and flourish through the season. With spring on everyone’s mind we asked staff to recall some of their favorite plants and why they stood out. 

 Todd Lasseigne, Ph.D.  F. Todd Lasseigne, Ph.D. – Garden President and CEO 

Hibiscus 'Moy Grande'

Variegated Tapioca
Hibiscus “Moy Grande’
“This fabulous hardy perennial hibiscus blooms with huge 10-12 inch wide flowers in a bright, magenta-pink color. Hailing from breeding work done years ago by the late Dr. Ying Doon Moy at San Antonio Botanical Garden, this plant was a showstopper all summer long at the Garden.”
Variegated Tapioca –Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’
“Proving that foliage can be as beautiful as flowers, the variegated tapioca (the same one used for making pudding) dazzled all season with stunning multicolored leaves.”

 

  Kenny White – Senior Gardener

 

Pink morning glory

Black-eyed Susan
Pink Morning Glory – Ipomoea carnea 
“This plant came in a four inch pot in early May and grew into a 6 foot by 5 foot giant in five months time. It flowered profusely most of the summer, opening new flowers each morning.” 
Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Blovi’ (VIETTE”S LITTLE SUZY)
“This bloomed for most of the summer and still had a small number of flowers in mid-November. The bright yellow flowers could be seen from across the Lake with a small grouping of only ten plants.” 

 

  Dale Frates, Gardener

 

 Passion flower Hibiscus dasycalyx
“The passionflower on the east  bridge, Passiflora ‘Inspiration’, bloomed profusely all summer long and was a butterfly magnet” “I really liked the Hibiscus dasycalyx – a creamy white flower with deep maroon throat.”