http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/gardening/2010/03/whats_blooming_at_the_baltimor_6.html

March 22, 2010
What's blooming at the Baltimore Conservatory?

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Citrus

Citrus are small evergreen trees or shrubs of the Rutaceae family that are native to the southern areas of Asia and include oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Their flowers are on display now at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park.

Brought to the US by Christopher Columbus, records indicate that oranges were growing in St. Augustine, Florida by 1579.

Flowers are usually white with a very strong sweet fragrance. Citrus make great ornamentals and do well in containers.

Since most plants grow in tropical areas of the world they will not tolerate freezing temperatures and require lots of sunlight.

Posted by Susan Reimer at 1:08 PM |