Tag: bloom

Cool, wet weather in March slowed down our spring explosion, but activity in the gardens and landscape is starting to heat up again. The long range forecast for the week is sun and warmth! Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are poised to be a prime attraction during the next couple of weeks and Willowwood’s collection contains over 40 cultivars. Over 1000 ‘Pistachio’ bulbs – a trumpet daffodil were planted last Fall to add to the collection! These happy yellow first signs of Spring range from dainty, solo flowers to clusters of thousands of blooms. Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) complements the daffodils and delights with sweeps of bright blue. The swelling buds of magnolias (Magnolia sp.) and cherries (Prunus sp.) promise more even more color in the coming weeks. Take a walk through the Orchard, Woodwalk, and Hillside Pasture to see these signs of spring and much more.
Be sure to walk by the propagation house and peek through the glass for a glimpse of pansies, violas, and numerous annuals being readied for the spring and summer seasons!

The latter half of February brought unseasonably warm days and gave us an early glimpse of our springtime blooms. We head into March with early flowering bulbs promising a wonderful spring.
Winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis) was the first to surface, with bright yellow drifts brightening the landscape around the Tubbs House and surrounding gardens. Crocuses (Crocus) and snow drops (Galandthus nivalis) emerged later and added lavender and white accents. Throughout the rockery, there are hidden treasures such as Persian violet (Cyclamen hederifolium) waiting to be discovered.
In the Cottage Garden, look for the swelling pink buds of fragrant viburnum (Viburnum farreri) mixed in among the witch hazels (Hamamelis). Fragrant viburnum is a native of northern China. If you have any in your garden, it makes for a pleasing cut stem if brought inside for forcing. The blooms will be appreciated indoors, as we likely face many more cold mornings before warm weather is here for good.
Around the corner from the Cottage Garden, on the south side of the stone cottage, is winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) cascading down the wall.
Wander into the conservatory to check out several cultivars of camellias (Camellia). The pink camellia ‘Berenice Boddy’ is especially floriferous. Scattered throughout the conservatory are the tubular flame-like flowers of lachenalia (Lachenalia bulbifera). These flowers are held on spikes above the foliage and are a visual contrast to the cool whites and pinks of the camellias.
As the weather improves, we will be adding new bloom reports to this page.

Despite the worries of hurricanes, the weather forecast this week (10.5.16) and the weekend is just about perfect, warm in the sun, cool breeze and still so many plants in bloom in the gardens. And remember, the Arboretum is open from 8 am to dusk daily, so lots of time for a ramble through the gardens or hike in the meadows.

Willowwood Arboretum’s new Plant Record Specialist and Plant Curator. Barrett Wilson, has suggestions for the next week or so:

October is a time of rapid change in the landscape, with the summer shades of green giving way to an ever increasing palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. The warm weather and lack of frost have helped the Rosarie and Cottage Garden extend their exceptional variety of color into the fall season, and the meadows are highlighted with late goldenrod (Solidago altissima) and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). However, visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for other less common wildflowers, such as the frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) in the meadows and zig-zag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) which can be found in moist and shady areas.
An important group of plants that begins to shine this time of year are the viburnums. Some good places to see these are in the Orchard and Monarda Meadow. Look for the developing deep maroon leaves of possumhaw (Viburnum nudum). Although the berry-like fruit of viburnums are technically called drupes, they are certainly magnificent by any name. The linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum) is adorned with shiny, bright red berries, while the leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) has berries of two colors visible at this time of year as reds change to blue-black. The rainbow of color doesn’t stop there – yellow European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus cv. Xanthocarpum) (photo) displays drooping clusters of yellow fruit that are a favorite of birds, especially as colder weather approaches.

Visit and enjoy!

Willowwood Arboretum is just gorgeous at this time of year. The gardens, particularly the Rosarie and the Cottage Gardens are filled with blooms and riotous greenery. While rain has been scarce, the gardeners have been watering and with cooler nights and warm sunny days, visitors can enjoy these beautifully planted and arranged areas. And the meadows are in bloom as well for those who wish to take a short hike towards Bamboo Brook (which now has a cell phone tour as well!).