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.
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.
Agriculture Secretary Encourages Garden Visits, Fall Planting
NJ Ag. Secy. Fisher (l) & John Morse, MCPC Mgr of Hort.
(CHESTER 9.17.14) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today visited Willowwood Arboretum in Chester and encouraged public garden and arboretum visits this fall. He also reminded residents and visitors that fall is a great time to tend to home gardens with new plantings.
“People in the tri-state region are just a short trip away from dozens of New Jersey public gardens, each offering a unique and special experience,” said Secretary Fisher. “At the same time, these gardens offer numerous ideas for the home gardener. This is the perfect time of year to plant for a beautiful spring garden.”
New Jersey has more than 60 gardens and arboreta in 15 counties for the public to enjoy. Susan Lowry and Nancy Berner, authors of a new book, “Gardens of the Garden State,” spoke about what attracted them to the Garden State – the tradition of agriculture, heritage of garden making and plant collecting, and hundreds of garden clubs around the state. They presented Secretary Fisher with a copy of their book for the State Library.
“New Jersey’s extraordinary public gardens open your eyes to the state’s rich horticultural legacy and its cultural heritage,” said Lowry and Berner. “Reflecting a high level of plantsmanship and dedication to preservation and land conservation, the state’s treasure trove of gardens never fail to inspire and educate.”
One of the gardens the authors highlighted in their book was Willowwood Arboretum, managed by the Morris County Park Commission and the Willowood Foundation since 1980. The land was acquired by brothers Henry and Robert Tubbs in 1908 as their country home. Henry’s adopted son, Dr. Benjamin Blackburn developed the property into an arboretum which now covers 130 acres and has about 2,100 kinds of native and exotic plants, many of them rare. Willowwood is one of the state’s most comprehensive and longest continually operating arboretum.
“Public gardens are places of wonder, solace, knowledge and fun and are important New Jersey cultural resources,” said Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticultural Education for the Morris County Parks Commission and President of Garden State Gardens Consortium. “Among our member gardens are Gilded Age estates, 21st century LEEDS certified facilities, monocultures, large university settings and tiny, hidden treasure gardens. The range of plant materials in New Jersey’s public gardens is matched by the program offerings at these sites, including events and classes for people interested in plants, nature and the environment as well as the arts.”
Governor Christie has proclaimed October as New Jersey Fall Gardening Month, encouraging citizens to utilize this prime season to visit our state’s gardens, nurseries and garden centers and patronize landscape companies to beautify their homes, neighborhoods and businesses and ensure a healthy and robust spring garden.
