See what's blooming this year!

Welcome to the third year of the Climate Change Demonstration Garden!

This year we planted perennial beardtongue (Penstemon), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum), and beebalm (Monarda), and annual food crops wheat, broccoli, and beans. Even at this early stage, we have already noticed slight differences between the plants inside and outside of the high tunnel. The wheat, beardtongue, St. John’s Wort, and one species of beebalm (Monarda didyma) have all demonstrated overall healthier growth outside, while another species of beebalm (Monarda fistulosa) seems to prefer the conditions within the high tunnel. Though the beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) is both larger and more lush growing outside the high tunnel, a few plants both inside and out have produced lovely pink flowers. Additionally, the St. John’s Wort (Hypericum kalmianum) outside the high tunnel is producing little bursts of yellow flowers. We look forward to watching the plants throughout the summer!

Written by Jessica Barbini (2016 Cornell Botanic Gardens Intern)

Images: Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) inside the tunnel (left) and outside the tunnel (right). Shown below: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum kalmianum)