What's in a Name

Anemonella thalictroides at the foot of a Crepe Myrtle in the Perennial Border at Brooklyn Botanic.

Anenomella because it resembles a small anemone or windflower. Thalictroides because its leaves resemble meadow rue. Since it's native to the area, I guess there's always the chance of seeing it growing wild, but to be honest, the bulk of the plants I see on a daily basis are cultivated. There are some fragments of the wild left in New York City, but not too many.

How Cool is the Paperbush?

Well, the Lily Pool at Brooklyn Botanic is frozen and this shrub is just starting to get ready to bloom. I'd say that makes it supercool.






















You have to give it up for a plant that thrives in extreme temperatures and I consider freezing temperatures to be extreme. If you really think about it, you'd wonder if humans are even Zone 7 hardy. Without our layers of clothing and the heat in our buildings, we'd be hardpressed to get through a winter, never mind trying to do it outside, even in a temperate climate like we have here in New York City. And yet here's this plant, not only surviving, but getting ready to flower. The flowers aren't even open yet and already it looks spectacular. I hope I get to see it in full flower later this winter, but I'm pretty glad I got to witness it as it was today with its winter buds. Is there anything cooler really than a winter bloomer?


Edgeworthia chrysantha, Paperbush, in the Perennial Border at Brooklyn Botanic.

Back to the Present

Japanese Maple, Brooklyn Museum

Edward Sibley Barnard calls the Japanese Maple the aristocrat of trees in his New York City Trees book and I'd have to agree. Everything about them is so refined. The one above has to be one of my favorite neighborhood trees, and just last week I found out from Dan that this Japanese Maple growing on the slope near the Brooklyn Museum used to be on Brooklyn Botanic's grounds. It still has an accession label hanging off a branch. All throughout the year, I've enjoyed walking past this tree on my way into the garden and right now it is this incredibly bright color that lights up the block. The Red Bistort below isn't nearly as an exalted plant, but still it looks pretty nice hanging on to its blooms in the Perennial Border when everything else is mostly finished.

Still Blooming

The leaves are changing and falling, yet some flowers still persist. Monkshood, above in the Perennial border and in the Plant Family Collection. Salvia lucantha below in the Fragrance Garden and Rose Garden.



And of course, the roses and the anenomes too. I needed three layers outside today, but these thin- petaled flowers that people think are dainty are out there in the elements night and day. How fierce.

Mums the Word

It's really time for the trees to take over the show, but one last flower, the Chrysanthemum wants some time in the spotlight. They're common, it's true. Simple too. And there are many that I don't really appreciate. But this pink mum blooming in the Perennial border near the Lily Pool is one I do.