Narcissus ‘Parabole’ (Daffodil, Large-cup Narcissus) Last fall the newly formed Bulb Society of Ontario planted and donated through Garden Import, some particularly stunning daffodils under the Arrival Courtyard Trellis. ’Parabole’ is a new introduction for 2011 with large, flat tangerine cups and white, overlapping perianth.
Narcissus ‘Queen’s Day’ (Daffodil – double) Bright, golden yellow double flowers with orange accents. Another new introduction from Holland named for the holiday celebrating their Queen’s birthday.
Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ (Large-cupped daffodil) Ice-like white petals with a cool yellow corona. ’Ice Follies’ flowers are unusually large , with the cup maturing to a creamy white.
Helleborus niger ‘Ivory Prince’ (Lenten rose) In the Demonstration Courtyard, this outstanding selection has reddish-pink buds opening into creamy-white upward facing blooms, touched with green and pink.
Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ (Dog’s tooth violet) Nodding sulphur-yellow flowers on slender, upright stems. A North American native ranging from deciduous woodlands to open mountain meadows. Above the waterfall in the Garden Hall Courtyard thus best seen in the Moriyama Foyer.
Fritillaria meleagris (Snake’s head fritillary) The Snake’s head fritillary are easily identified by the nodding square-shouldered bell-shaped flowers in pure white, but more commonly with a checker board pattern in shades of purple. Garden Hall Courtyard & keep an eye for them in the Entry Garden as well.
Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’ (Weeping eastern redbud, Lavender twist redbud) Adorning the waterfall in the Garden Hall Courtyard with its twisted arching branches, ‘Covey’ has fine lavender pink buds which open in early spring, followed by delicate green foliage just as lovely as any flower.
Branch detail: Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’
about the author: Sandra Pella
Sandra Pella has worked as Head Gardener of the Toronto Botanical Garden since 2008. She holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and upon graduation worked in the financial sector until the pull of plants was too much to resist, whereupon she found herself at Janet Anderson Perennials (formerly JEA Perennials) as a horticultural technician. She has been the Perennial Manager at Summerhill Nursery & Floral followed by the Assistant Horticulturist at the TBG prior to its renovation. Sandra worked as a Gardener for two seasons with the City of Toronto as well as seasonal Gardener for the TBG prior to being named Head Gardener. She is self-taught in the field and thus greatly appreciated the experience a gardening internship in 2009 at Great Dixter in the UK brought to her. Sandra has a regular What’s In Bloom blog and is one of the spokespeople for the TBG.
