Welcome to the Willowwood Arboretum. The Lilacs are in bud and some of them like Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Annabel’, one of the best pinks, are just beginning to bloom. The next couple of weeks will be wonderful as more Lilacs will open with sweet lilac fragrance perfuming the air.
“Blossom by blossom the spring begins” -Algernon Charles Swinburne
Suddenly it’s SPRING at Willowwood!. This winter was brutal as February was the snowiest on record for this area with over 31 inches of snow. It may have felt like winter was never going to end but the sounds of spring- the chirping birds, the hum of maintenance equipment, and the sounds of visitors in the gardens- have returned.
Many of the spring bulbs are beginning to peak. Most of the early and mid-season Daffodils have begun to bloom in the gardens and should continue to bloom for the next few weeks if the weather stays mild. Other spring bulbs, such as the glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa sp.) and Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica), are coating many corners of the arboretum in blue flowers. Plant common names like these often tell us something about a plant. Chionodoxa are incredibly hardy flowers and these “glory of the snow” can tolerate and bloom in cold, snowy conditions. However, some common names are misnomers. Despite the common name for Siberian squill, they are native to the southern region of Russia and not Siberia. All of these bulbs can be seen in the garden bed near the conservatory underneath the Cornus mas (Cornealian Cherry) which is also currently in bloom with a profusion of small bunches of golden yellow flowers.
The other sirens of spring are Magnolias and Cherry Trees. Several early flowering varieties are in bloom such as the Prunus subhirtella in the cottage garden and Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ in the orchard. While there currently are not any orchards at Willowwood, this part of the garden behind the Mediterranean inspired “Rosarie” garden was where the Tubbs family planted an apple orchard in the year following the purchase of “Willowwood Farm” in 1908 and it retains that historic garden name. The Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) and other varieties of Magnolias will also be blooming soon in the orchard area. Additional woody plants to look for that are in bloom around the grounds include these fragrant shrubs: Corylopsis glabrescens (Fragrant Winter Hazel), Viburnum farrieri ‘Candissimum’ (Fragrant Viburnum) and Lonicera fragrantissima (Fragrant Honeysuckle).
We are happy to announce that Willowwood’s regular daily operating schedule of 8AM to Dusk and all parking areas are open for the season. Please enjoy the gardens safely and respectfully.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
The beauty of the autumn season has begun and visitors may now enjoy the arboreta during standard operating hours, daily from 8AM to dusk. The maples, dogwoods, and katsura are all changing color at the Willowwood Arboretum and the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center. For those who are able to detect the sweet scent of yellowing katsura leaves (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), they will be delighted by the fragrance along the meadow near the Stone Cottage and on the Woodwalk path before the small stone bridge at.
The late season perennials in the garden are still going strong despite the chilly evenings. Some favorites that are blooming include the Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) in the Cottage Garden, asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) in the meadows and cottage garden, and white and pink Japanese anemones (Anemone spp.) throughout the core gardens.
One show stopping annual in particular has been delighting visitors in the Cottage Garden this season. Several stalks of red amaranth are towering over other plants in the garden at over 7 feet! The feathery plumes are a rich reddish purple and draw attention like a waving flag. It is also lovely to look at the leaves as the sun shines through them as they take on an appearance of pure red stained glass. In addition to being an attractive plant, amaranth leaves and seeds are edible! The Cottage Garden once served as a kitchen garden for the Tubbs family who lived at Willowwood. Although they would not have grown amaranth, as it was not introduced into the United States until the 1970’s, the tradition of including vegetables, fruits, and grains among ornamental plants carries on.
The first hard frost will likely arrive in the next few weeks. The meadows have already evolved into shades of yellow, tan, brown, and purple and will offer movement and texture during the winter as the wind sweeps through the plants putting their seed heads into motion. Many shrubs and trees have also set fruit and birders will continue to see a variety of birds visiting the arboretum for sustenance during the months ahead. Meanwhile, the garden staff will continue to prepare for next spring and look forward to the next growing season.
Beginning Monday, August 3, Willowwood is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm.
CLOSED WEEKENDS.
Buildings are closed but most gardens and walking trails are open. A porta john is available.
This quote by Minnie Aumonier seems apt for this moment in time- “When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden”. Welcome back to the garden.
The summer bloom has just begun in the meadows. The waves of pastel purple wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) are attracting lots of pollinators. Recently, the joe-pye weed (Eutrochium) and early goldenrod (Solidago) have also begun to bloom. Visitors will likewise see ironweed (Vernonia) starting to bloom along the drive among the meadows in the upcoming weeks as well.
The barns are similarly surrounded by pastel flowers this year. An assortment of white, purple, and pink Angelonia were planted by the Stone Barn for the season. These “summer snapdragons” are known for their fragrance and flower all summer!
Lilies are currently blooming across the site and reaching peak bloom. Several that are in full bloom are the bright pink Lilium ‘Elodie’ is in bloom along the back of the propagation greenhouse, the yellow Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’ blooming along the propagation greenhouse steps, and the many orange lilies blooming, such as Lilium lancifolium var. splendens in the cottage garden.
Visitors should keep in mind that the coronavirus has had a significant impact on activities at the Willowwood Arboretum. This has led to the closure of the Rosarie for the season and impacted maintenance activities across the site. In addition, construction is currently underway to replace the cedar shingle roof on the Propagation Greenhouse.
Thank you for your patience and support during this time.
Zinnia Cheetham
MCPC Plant Records Curator Specialist
Late summer is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the fullness of the gardens. The perennials throughout the grounds are large and lush.
With only six or seven weeks until our first frost, now is a perfect time to enjoy the Rosarie, full of many cold-sensitive plants. Some interesting annuals are the Giant Castor Bean, Ricinus ‘Zanzibar’, which is growing over 6 feet tall and Ornamental Okra, Abelmoschus moschatus, which has hibiscus-like pale yellow blossoms. However, the entire Rosarie garden is overflowing with blooms, bright foliage, and interesting texture this time of year which makes it a big draw for pollinators, such as the bee in the attached image on our Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’. The weather will be warm tomorrow so it is a good day to sit under the shady pergola and just enjoy.
The Cottage Garden is currently full of hot summer colors. A staff favorite, Hibiscus ‘Raspberry Rose’ just began blooming this past weekend. It is stunning as it grows above the Phlox and blossoms in large, bright magenta blooms. The Dahlias are still going strong in the gardens as well, such as Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, which has shocking pure red blossoms. The tubers of these Dahlias will be dug up at the end of the season and stored in the basement of the Tubbs House for use in future displays throughout the gardens.
Pan’s Garden is a quiet retreat from the colorful bustle of the other garden areas. Pan’s Garden showcases white flowers and foliage. Some blooms you may currently see are Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’, Phlox ‘David’, and Lobelia siphilitica ‘Alba’. Near the back corner of the Pergola is also a beautiful Carpinus betulus, a New Jersey Champion Tree, which, while not blooming, has stunning bark and was the backdrop for a recent wedding at Willowwood.
While each visitor to Willowwood who enters through the Main Gate passes through the meadows, we highly recommend walking through the meadows as well. The meadows are currently entering their second colorful phase. Earlier this season they were full of Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa, and Early Goldenrod, Solidago juncea. Now the bronze seedheads of the grasses in the meadow are emerging, adding height and an autumnal color to the meadows. The meadows are also a wonderful place to watch for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife this time of year. However, please remember to keep a respectful distance from any wildlife you may encounter.
