The 1st Annual Tubbs Lecture was held on Sunday, April 19th.
Professor Anthony Aiello, Director of Horticulture at the University of Pennsylvania, presented a fascinating lecure entitled, “Japanese Flowering Cherries: A 100 Year Long Love Affair.”
Please click on the image at right for more information or go to the longer writeup on our Events page.
I am sure if you are looking out the window you would think that Spring is never going to arrive. But the weather forecasters say the weekend is going to be warmer and SUNNY. So if you are in the mood for a walk, Willowwood has started to look like Spring.
Bloom wise -the hellebores are showing nicely around the Tubbs House. The winter jasmine is in bloom on the south side of the Stone barn. The Cornus mas might open up this weekend and the witchazels are still showing. The beautiful dark purple crocus seems to have been fodder for our resident deer. But the daffodils are just beginning to pop here and there with green shoots and tight buds still to open. The Greenhouse is full of gorgeous pansy color.
So come and enjoy!
Despite the cold there are some wonderful signs that Spring is on its way at Willowwood:
Bright yellow winter aconite is brightening up the Cottage Garden and some Chionodoxa lucilea (Glory–of-the-Snow)in bloom by the Conservatory.
The Hamamelis (Witchhazel or sometimes called ‘winter bloom’) are in bloom! You can find two of these very fragrant shrubs across from the Tubbs’ house and in the Winter Garden. Native Americans used witch hazel leaves and bark as a poultice to reduce swelling and inflammation. Witch-hazel has long been among the best known and widely used home remedies. The word “witch” in the name of the herb is actually a derivative from the Anglo-Saxon word wych meaning flexible. The word described the flexibility of the branches that Native Americans used to make their hunting bows.
The bluebirds are definitely back, settling into their new homes with the squirrel protectors along the driveway.
And the pansies are in bloom in the Greenhouse – just look through the window…
Tiny little green shoots are appearing here and there — promising some wonderful suprises as the weather gets a bit warmer.
One would think that Willowwood, so very beautiful Spring through Fall, is not the place to visit during Winter. Yet, on quietly still days, without the bustle of winds or bitter chill, there are birders, walkers, hikers, photographers and others who enjoy the solitude of the day. Various animals who normally hide within the woods are now visible against the snow. There are many ornamental trees and shrubs with attractive bark and berries that add shades of color and attract birds. Come visit, you will be surprised at what you will see…
And come March, when the warmth of the sun is stronger, feel the colorful joy of the pansies in the greenhouse; watch the green shoots of the winter aconite, crocus and the daffodils start to pop up. Look at the lovely cupped flowers of the hellebores near the Tubbs House.
It is mid October and the gardens are still in bloom thanks to a lack of frost! Hopefully we’ll get a week or two more before Mother Nature gets the upper hand.
In the Cottage garden the Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon Daisy), Aconitum (Monkshood), pink Japanese Anemones, New England Asters and Trycirtis (Toad Lily) are still blooming. We’ve just completed an extension on two of the beds and hope that our fall planting will lead to vigorous growth next spring!
On your way to the Conservatory check out the reddish purple color on the Witchhazel along the left side of the paved drive just past the barn. Once you are inside the Conservatory you’ll detect the scent of Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Olive).
To the left of the Conservatory, in the Rockery, you’ll find Cyclamen hederifolium and Trycirtis latifolia still in bloom.
The Rosarie is still a riot of color with the annuals still in flower as well as the fall blooming perennials.
If you take a stroll down the Woodwalk you’ll still see the blue berries on the Symplocos paniculata (Sapphireberry) .
In the meadows the grasses are changing every day from reddish brown to their winter tan. On frosty mornings they really glisten in the sun.
Throughout the arboretum the start of fall color is upon us. The maples, dogwoods and viburnums are in full display.
As Fall ends and Winter begins, there are paths to walk and hike. When the snow comes, cross country skiing is another way to view the plantings and winter bark (see our ornamental walk information) and see some of the birds and animals who call Willowwood “home”.
The cell phone tour is scheduled to end at end October and will begin again in Spring.