Willowwood is just about to hit peak spring bloom!
The Cherries, Crabapples, Magnolias and Serviceberries are all in bloom.
Many of the flowering shrubs such as Viburnums, Daphnes and Azaleas are in flower. Enjoy the beauty of the flowers but don’t forget to check out their scent.
The wooded trails are filled with blue Ajuga and the tiny light pink flowers are Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty).
On the Wood Walk to the right of Pan’s Garden you’ll find that the Japanese Primroses are putting on quite a show! The warm temps have brought them out a little early this year.
The Wisteria vines by the Stone Barn and in the Cottage Garden and Rosarie are popping.
And of course, it wouldn’t be May at Willowwood without the beautiful blooms of the Lilac collection. The flowers have started opening and there should be a succession of blooms over the next few weeks.
Japanese Flowering Cherries at Willowwood
Anthony Aiello
Morris Arboretum Dir. of Horticulture
Willowwood Arboretum was the site on April 18, 2015 of a fascinating lecture on the history of Japanese flowering cherries in the United States, including the beautiful collection at Willowwood.
Anthony Aiello, Director of Horticulture at Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum traced the early 20th century arrival of these beautiful collections at Washington’s Tidal Basin, the Morris Arboretum, New York — and at our very own Willowwood Arboretum.
The talk was followed by a tour of Willowwood’s collection led by John Morris, the Morris County Park Commission’s Manager of Horticulture.
You may read an extensive article about the day on the Daily Record website.
Charles Higan variety
John Morse
MCPC Dir. of Horticulture
Pale Pink Magnolia sprengeri in Bloom! 4/23/15
The pale pink Magnolia sprengeri, John Beirne’s favorite magnolia, is in full bloom on the hillside above Lois Poinier’s azaleas (on the road just past the Tubbs House). It only lasts a few days; don’t miss it (could be frosty, tonight)!
Blooming! Week of April 20, 2015
Bloom Report Monday April 20: Raining now but the sun is coming out tomorrow….
The Narcissus plantings along the entrance drive are coming into full bloom and the cooler temps should help them last longer.
Around the gardens you’ll find Hyacinths, Narcissus and blue Scilla siberica in bloom.
The early perennials –Hellebores( Lenten Rose), Pulmonaria ( Lungwort), Vinca minor ( Periwinkle), Mertensia virginica ( Virginia Bluebells) and Dicentra eximia (Bleeding Hearts) are up and putting on a show.
Check out the fragrant Abeliophyllum distichum ( White Forsythia) in flower over by the large yellow flowering Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood) in the bed to the left of the Conservatory (at Tubbs House).
Various Viburnums, Daphne, Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda )and Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) are also in flower.
Magnolia soulangiana and M. stellata (Saucer and Star Magnolias) are opening up nicely. You can find many Magnolias in the gardens, on the left and right sides of the driveway past the service road and up on the Pasture Hillside which can be reached by walking down the Moggy Hollow trail and crossing the bridge.
The Cherry blossoms are just opening and the Crabapple buds are swelling.
Don’t forget to check out the yellow and red colors on the Salix (Willow) branches and stems, they are quite stunning!
Enjoy!
The 1st Annual Tubbs Lecture
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.