IN THIS ISSUE
Easy summer meals, appetizers and sides made with fresh, juicy grapes Italian Sausage and California Grape Skewers • California Grape, Walnut and Endive Bites • California Grape, Fennel and Citrus Salad. RECIPES on page 6
The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) at Norfolk Botanical Garden was named by the public after more than 1,000 votes. Jake Litchfield, a horticulturist at Norfolk Botanical Garden submitted the winning name for NBG’s corpse flower— now officially known as Lady Macdeath – and she is about to make her debut. Lady Macdeath is a fitting nickname for this rare and gigantic flower as it inches closer to one of nature’s most unusual and spectacular botanical events. The bloom will offer visitors a rare opportunity to witness one of the world’s most extraordinary plants, famous for its dramatic size, brief bloom window, and unmistakable scent. The rare plant is currently in the Perry Conservatory as part of the Garden of Tomorrow project, slated to open this September.(PHOTO COURTESY NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN)
BLOOM WATCH IS ON! Norfolk Botanical Garden’s rare corpse flower ‘Lady Macdeath’ expected to bloom in early July Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. — Something wickedly wonderful is about to debut at Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG). The rare corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is expected to bloom within days, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness one of the world’s most unusual, smelliest and most spectacular botanical events. The anticipated bloom
comes as the Garden prepares to open The Garden of Tomorrow on Sept. 12, 2026. The Perry Conservatory will focus on plant conservation and education. The project will support the protection of some of the world’s most endangered plant species and contribute to global conservation efforts. Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, the corpse flower is among the rarest plants on Earth, with fewer than 1,000
believed to remain in the wild. Its rarity extends beyond its limited numbers. The corpse flower blooms only briefly, typically reaching peak bloom for 24 to 48 hours and may not bloom again for another five to 10 years. Norfolk Botanical Garden is currently on Bloom Watch and expects the flower to open between July 3 and July 8, though the timing remains subject to nature’s schedule. The plant can reach heights of more
than 5 feet and grow several inches per day. When in bloom, it emits a powerful odor often compared to rotting flesh, earning its nickname as the “corpse flower.” The scent attracts beetles and flies, which serve as pollinators and are unharmed by the process. Its deep red interior resembles raw meat, making it one of the world’s most remarkable and See BLOOM on Page A5
Swing and step back in time at the 1940’s South Pacific Luau & Hangar Dance Saturday, July 11 Press Release
Take a step back in time at the Military Aviation Museum’s South Pacific-themed Hangar Dance! Join the fun as the museum’s hangars, ramp and aircraft collection are used to transport you to an island base in the 1940s. Grace Street Seven, our Swing Band for the evening, will be playing in the shade of historic aircraft. The dance floor? Our hangar floor! Complete with tiki bars and NEW Exotic Tropical Cocktails! Dinner ticket holders will be welcomed to the Luau with a Lei Greeting and entertained with Hula and Tahitian dances. Sit with your friends at our communal style tables or reserve your own table for the VIP experience. The band leader is ready to swing and sway the night away with your favorite 40’s tunes, along with others that will keep your toes tapping! Our island air strip will of course feature the Museum’s incredible collection of WWII-era aircraft, some of which will be prepared for photo opportunities with guests, and others which will participate in the
Island dancers greet and entertain attendees at the South Pacific Luau & Hangar Dance.(PHOTO COURTESY MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM)
See DANCE on Page A5
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