Plants We Love: Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Plum Crazy’ (Swamp Mallow)

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Plum Crazy'

Native Range: Eastern North America

USDA Hardiness: 4-9

Height: 48″

Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist soils

This showy cultivar of one of our regionally native perennials has found its way into several of OvS’ recent gardens.  Its large, vivid, plum-colored flowers steal the show when in bloom (July through frost).  We were surprised however by its bold-textured purple foliage that is a striking complement to tall ornamental grasses.

We planted it recently on a waterfront estate on the northern neck of Virginia, where it contrasts nicely with Panicum virgatum and Eupatorium ‘Bartered Bride’.  Swamp mallow is native to the edges of salt marshes and freshwater wet meadows throughout the east coast, but has also found a happy home in the moist, rich garden soil of several of our townhouse gardens.

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New York Botanical Garden Azalea Garden Opening

The New York Botanical Garden commemorated its 120th anniversary with the grand opening of the New Azalea Garden on May 7 and 8 with a festive ceremonial ribbon-cutting and preview of the New Azalea Garden. The 11-acre Garden features extensive perennial collections designed collaboratively by NYBG and Oehme, van Sweden & Associates and landscape architecture by Towers│Golde, LLC.

The first tour of the garden!

This premier collection of the world’s azalea species features 300 varieties of azalea, rhododendron and diverse companion plantings which are woven together in this restoration of the original garden.  The display offers a venue to enjoy, learn about and be inspired by the beauty and diversity of these ornamental shrubs and perennials in a mature woodland environment. 

L to R: Jane Cooke, Sheila Brady, Todd Forrest, and Barbara Slifka

The design team of Todd Forrest and Frank Genese of NYBG, Shavaun Towers of Towers│Golde, LLC and OvS’ Principal-in-Charge Sheila Brady, were honored at the festive ceremonial ribbon-cutting and preview of the New Azalea Garden. Distinguished guests were treated to the garden’s dedication, performances by the Greenwich Academy Madrigal Singers and tours of the New Azalea Garden.

Eric Groft and Barbara Slifka

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Adding Year Round Interest to the Azalea Garden at the New York Botanical Garden

The redesigned Azalea Garden at the New York Botanical Garden is scheduled for a Grand Opening May 7-8, 2011, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Sheila Brady and Hilary Oat-Judge recently spent two days at the garden with Todd Forrest, Kristin Schleiter and Travis Beck of NYBG laying out some of the final herbaceous plantings in preparation for the Grand Opening.

From left: Travis Beck, Kristin Schleiter, Hilary Oat-Judge, Sheila Brady

Oehme, van Sweden has had the pleasure of collaborating with NYBG’s Horticulture team over the past few years to develop herbaceous planting plans to extend the garden’s season of interest beyond the peak azalea bloom time. The incredible topography of the site, dramatic rock outcroppings and towering canopy provide a captivating framework for the azaleas. By introducing a textured perennial layer, the new design will draw visitors in to explore the Azalea Garden throughout the year.

Mark your calendars to visit the Azalea Garden when it reopens in all its glory this May!

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Creating Texture in Container Plantings

On a recent glorious fall day, Lisa Delplace and Hilary Oat-Judge installed container plantings for a long-time client in McLean, VA. Lisa selected a mix of evergreen shrubs, grasses, perennials and annuals to create distinct textural compositions at each entry and terrace.

Here are a few favorite combinations in the custom Pennoyer Newman Florentine Planters on the rear terrace:

Pieris japonica ‘Flaming Silver’ with Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ with Bergenia cordifolia ‘Bressingham Ruby’

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Revisiting the Fed

August’s stifling heat has some advantages – many plants have been lured by the sun into their full summer exuberance. Oehme, van Sweden staff members spent a recent lunch break basking in the sun ourselves and enjoying lush plantings at the Federal Reserve campus in Washington, DC.

The Federal Reserve was one of OvS’ earliest “big breaks” – our first large government project, designed and planted in the late 1970’s. Bold sweeps of perennials and grasses marked a striking departure from the formal style of the surrounding federal landscapes. Over the decades, Oehme, van Sweden has maintained a close relationship with the Federal Reserve and recently designed improvements for integrated perimeter site security (including custom bronze bollards, raised planters that incorporate benches and walls, pedestrian and vehicular access and circulation, and kiosk locations).

During our lunchtime tour, OvS Principal Eric Groft pointed out ways in which the new design is integrated into the original and how the integrity of the original design (including now mature canopy trees, sweeps of ornamental grasses, and robust perennials) is honored. Eric was joined by OvS Associate Marisa Scalera (who has been involved in the Federal Reserve designs since 2003) and members of the OvS design staff including Christie Ciabotti, Lisa Cutshaw, John Knowlton, Nick Ries, and Liz Stetson.

See our website for photos of our work at the Federal Reserve.

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