Category: Bloom Reports

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.

The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks looks just perfect for a late summer visit to the Willowwood Arboretum gardens.

And even though summer is coming to an end the gardens and meadows are still full of color at Willowwood!

As you drive in the meadows have now been taken over by the yellow flowered Solidago (Goldenrod).
Native asters are just coming into bloom in the meadows – nice combination with the goldenrod (blue and gold). Take a walk through the meadows – enjoy the view from the Stiles observation platform!

When you approach the arbor by the barns you’ll see the white blooms of Nicotiana sylvestris on the right. They remind me of fireworks!

Check out the colorful bed to the left of the glass house. The large leaf plant is an Ensete, the tall plant with the red spiky seed pods is Ricinus communis ( Castor bean).

In the Rosarie there is a large pot of Begonia grandis (Hardy begonia) at the entrance that has a lot of interest. Further along the path you’ll see the orange Tithonia (Mexican sunflower) on the right. The tall Brugmansia (Angels trumpet) on the left is about to open some new blooms. The yellow zinnias that border the path are ‘Profusion Yellow’. The annual grass with the pink flowers is Melinus nerviglumis ‘Savannah’.

The colorful annual displays in the Cottage Garden, Rosarie, and around the Stone Barn are now at their peak. Come see them! Now is the time! Should be enjoyable until frost. Highlights in the Cottage Garden include the pink Anemone by the gate, the large flowered Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Lord Baltimore’ and the Dolichos lab lab (Hyacinth bean vine) that is rambling over the arbor.

The bed on the east side of the Shingle Barn (outside restroom) has just been replanted with meadow plants, many of which we grew ourselves from seed. Watch this space in 2015!

Information provided by John Morse, Willowwood Arboretum Manager of Horticulture and Judy Schaible, Asst Superintendent of Horticulture

And mark your calendar: Autumn Open House on Sunday October 5 from Noon to 4 pm!

Here are some garden highlights for August.
The meadows are showing lots of color with native Monarda, Ironweed, Joe-pye weed and Goldenrod in bloom.
The Cottage Garden and Rosarie are full of color and are attracting the hummingbirds.
The Willowwood Horticulture Staff is just starting an expansion of the Cottage garden so visitors can see the process involved in creating a new garden area.
In the Rosarie: The Angelonia is doing the job of mimicking Lavender (which doesn’t like to grow in the heavy soil there). The low growing yellow ‘ Profusion’ zinnia is a great low maintenance plant for the border. The very large orange flowered plant on the right side of the path is the Mexican sunflower- Tithonia ‘Torch’.
Along the Woodwalk the Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) will charm you with its’ red blooms.
If you stroll down the path to Moggy Hollow you’ll see a patch of naturalized lilies on the left just before the bridge.

Don’t forget to join us for the Autumn Open House on Sunday October 5 from Noon to 4 pm. See “Events” for more information!

As the warm weather arrives this week, now is the time to visit Willowwood.

Believe it or not, there are still daffodils in bloom. The bright yellow Lois, Elizabeth and Golden Sun Magnolias (near the field parking areas on both sides of the drive) are in full bloom and are just exquisite.

The first early Lilacs are just beginning their bloom. We are about two weeks late due to Mother Nature this year, so we expected the Lilac Bloom season to be starting peak a bit later this month – but we will keep you advised!

The Crabapples and Viburnums throughout the gardens and collections look and smell wonderful. Many spring flowering perennials such as Epimediums, Bleeding Hearts and Primroses are flowering. If you walk the trails to the Pasture Hillside or through Monarda Meadow you’ll see lots of small, pink Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginiana) in bloom.

And the creamy white tulips by the Stone Barn are in bloom as are some wonderful fringed Purple Hybrid Darwin tulips blooming by the Propagation House.

Finally, the cell phone tour is up and running. Just bring your cell phone to Willowwood Arboretum and enjoy a free 1-hour long tour of the grounds by simply dialing a number and listening. Signs at each stop provide the local phone number. And there are cards in the directory by the main parking lot with full instructions and map. Have fun!

May 8, 2014: We’re happy to report that with the upcoming warm spell we expect to have some lilacs in bloom by Mothers Day.

Spring has really sprung at Willowwood!

The Crabapples and Viburnums throughout the gardens and collections look and smell wonderful. Many spring flowering perennials such as Epimediums, Bleeding Hearts and Primroses are flowering. If you walk the trails to the Pasture Hillside or through Monarda Meadow you’ll see lots of small,pink Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginiana) in bloom.
Willowwood’s late blooming daffodils are still gorgeous, flowering trees including the Magnolias and Spring flowers are also still in bloom including some beautiful tulips just starting!

Spring has been later than usual so the LILACS are just beginning but warm weather is promised for the weekend through next week so maybe you might catch a whiff of their wonderful scent!