Author: Webmaster

A sad sight greeted me at the Arboretum today, the unseasonably cold weather caused the Magnolia x loebneri cv. Merrill (Loebner Magnolia) flowers to freeze and turn brown; I was encouraged, however, by the fact that not all of the buds have opened, so it’s possible that we may still get to enjoy some of the magnificent flowers. Several of the Hellebores were blooming very nicely, a lovely white one and a pale pink spotted one, were a sight for sore eyes.

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A sad sight greeted me at the Arboretum today, the unseasonably cold weather caused the Magnolia x loebneri cv. Merrill (Loebner Magnolia) flowers to freeze and turn brown; I was encouraged, however, by the fact that not all of the buds have opened, so it’s possible that we may still get to enjoy some of the magnificent flowers. Several of the Hellebores were blooming very nicely, a lovely white one and a pale pink spotted one, were a sight for sore eyes.

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A sunny, cool, blustery March afternoon at the Arboretum. The buds on the Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper Bush) have opened into a lovely cluster of yellow and white flowers, Crocuses are popping up all over the grounds and the Prunus mume cv. Kobai (Japanese Flowering Apricot) is blooming beautifully against the white walls of the Carriage House. Make plans to visit soon!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

The weather continues to warm up and the Robins (Turdus migratorius) are back in droves, happily feeding on the leftover dried berries on the Korean Mountain Ash by the front entrance of the Haggerty Education Center. The Tulips planted last fall are beginning to break ground, the Hyacinthus orientalis cv. Delft Blue bulbs (common Hyacinth) are budding, Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper Bush) is blooming and I found a lovely patch of Delosperma basuticum (Ice Plant) in a bed by the parking lot. Officially, at least, Spring is less than a week away!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Chilly and windy today, but the last couple of warm days have encouraged Mother Nature to bring forth these beauties: a whole bunch of Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite), clumps of Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops) and a lovely Adonis amurensis (Pheasant’s Eye) blooming amidst its ferny foliage. Enjoy!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A cold, cloudy day, but I did manage to find a few tiny gems among the bare twigs. A sunny yellow bunch of Jasminum nudiflorum flowers (Winter Jasmine), a single coral pink Prunus mume cv. Kobai flower (Japanese Apricot) and a few Salix gracilistyla var. Melanostachys catkins (Black Pussy Willow). I am encouraged by the fact that we are now in March and Spring is only 19 days away, officially at least!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A chilly, rainy, gray day at the Arboretum today. Dodging raindrops, I walked around, camera in hand, and found a few more signs of life, i.e., another blooming hybrid Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia cv. ‘Sunburst’), the unusual flowers of Ivory Prince Hellebore (Helleborus x. nigersmithii cv. Walhelivor) and the tiny cones of Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia). Sometimes it’s hard to find signs of life in February, but the effort is worth it!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Crisp, chilly, sunny weather welcomed me to the Arboretum’s grounds today. The air was fresh, the sky a clear blue and a Pileated Woodpecker’s call could be heard in the distance. More early bloomers are beginning to pop, i.e. the lemony yellow flowers of Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) and the strappy reddish flowers of Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (Hybrid Witch Hazel). Also, a young Picea pungens cv. ‘Baby Blue Eyes’ (Colorado Blue Spruce) was showing off in front of a stand of dry ornamental grasses. So much to see and enjoy!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.