What’s in Bloom

Great Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)

Native to the United States, this relative of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia flava), is often grown for its large, bluish-grey leaves as well as for its impressive height (up to 6’ tall!). Though it tends to be more successful in the southern parts of its native range, Great Coneflower has found a place in New England gardens as it is seldom grazed upon by deer. Great Coneflower is currently blooming in the Fort Point Channel Parks.

Great Coneflower

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Native to the Eastern United States, Black Cohosh is a white blooming, summer flowering perennial generally reaching up to 5’ in height. Black Cohosh is currently in bloom throughout the Wharf District, with the tall spike-shaped flowers standing well above the majority of the other vegetation.

Black Cohosh

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blue Wave’)

Bigleaf Hydrangeas can form two distinct styles of flower depending on their variety. Probably the most common is the “mophead” type produced by cultivars such as Endless Summer. Blue Wave however, forms a flat, “lace-cap” flower, with the small, insignificant fertile flowers arranged in the center and the larger, pollinator attracting but infertile flowers towards the outside. Bigleaf Hydrangeas are originally native to Japan, and the cultivar ‘Blue Wave’ is desired for its cold hardiness. Hydrangeas are currently blooming all across the Greenway, with ‘Blue Wave’ located in the North End Parks, in the garden bordering New Sudbury Street across from Haymarket Station.

Bigleaf Hydrangea