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What's Blooming Now - April 28, 2009
.JPG) Mary Welch-Keesey is out for several weeks, so What's Blooming Now will be more of a pictorial review of what's happening with the spring spectacular at the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens until Mary returns to offer her expect advice.
 At the Gardens, the stars of the late spring show are the tulip beds in the Clowes Water Garden, where the late-blooming flowers are just at peak. The panorama of violet, lavender and white blossoms contrasts with the bright blue of the water and the striking greens of the rapidly-emerging tree leaves. The "spitting frogs" have been turned on for the season, adding a cheery audio note to the landscape.
.JPG) Elsewhere, there are still some nice tulip displays remaining in the Hix Design Gardens, where the Motion Garden and the Metaphor Garden are still available with flowers.  Next door in the Ornamental Allee, there's still a bed of miniature daffodils hanging on, while the puffy Japanese kerria at the end of the Allee is in full bloom. Watch this plant - it will overgrow very easily! Near the Earth Stone sculpture, there's a nice display of tulips in varied colors, but sadly, the Knot Garden tulips have gone by.
 If you're looking for something cool, check out this Fothergilla near the end of the Allee - a deciduous shrub from the same family as witch hazel, this plant will color in autumn. The name commemorates Dr. John Fothergill (1712-80), a friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Bartram. He championed the cause of the American colonists, and grew one of the most extensive collections of American plants in England in his garden at Stratford-le-Bow in Essex.
The Gardens are "greening up" very quickly, so expect to experience a lovely May blooming season.
Come and enjoy!
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