Author: Webmaster

Speaking of trees, have you ever observed the complex architectural form of some tree branches? Here’s a wonderful photograph of the branching on a Japanese Stewartia tree (Stewartia pseudocamellia). Squirrels are among the fauna frequently seen at the Arboretum, this one is overseeing its domain from the branches of a Maple tree (Acer). Another frequent visitor to the gardens at the Arboretum are butterflies, this lovely Swallowtail was seen nectaring on the flowers of a Butterfly Bush’s (Buddleia).

Thanks to Heather Emelander for the Stewartia photo and to Gerry Pappalardo for the Squirrel and Swallowtail shots.

This week we’re featuring some of Member Gerry Pappalardo’s photos, the variety of plants in the Arboretum’s gardens is clearly evident by the following shots:

The interesting flower of Aechmea fasciata, commonly called Silver Vase or Urn Plant is native to Brazil. This plant is in the Bromeliad family and is often grown as a houseplant. The flowers can last for months.

The architecturally interesting seed pod on a Magnolia grandiflora ‘Victoria’; these pods are large, cone-like fruits that open to reveal seeds that are often red and waxy.

The pretty Okra flower reminds us of a mallow, as they are in the same family. Abelmoschus esculentus produces an edible green seed pod, often used in Gumbo.

Thank you Gerry!

Can you tell from these photos what’s missing and what’s new? The old arbor on the way into the Haggerty Education Center (HEC) was in pretty bad shape, so it has been removed and will be replaced with a new one sometime soon. The walkway from the old arbor into the HEC had become hazardous and has been replaced with a brand new, attractive and safe one. A gorgeous, bold and bright tropical Rushfoil (Croton) can be seen on the right as you work your way to the HEC’s front door. Out by the first parking bay, the leaves of a Cotinus (Smoke Bush) glisten with raindrops from the storm that blew through on Sunday afternoon.

You may know that the meadow behind the Mansion is under restoration; this is a time consuming but very worthwhile undertaking using a variety of native plants. Here’s a photo showing progress to date. The wet area behind the Marsh Meadow Deck is full of Marsh Mallows (Althaea officinalis) in bloom, not edible, but a very pretty sight nonetheless!  Foliage as well as flowers contribute to the beauty of our gardens, as evidenced by the lovely Balloon Flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) in the Blue Garden in front of Matilda’s cottage and the purple and green leaves of the Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyeriana).  Persian Shield is native to Myanmar and is an annual in our New Jersey gardens.

Photos of the meadow and Balloon flower courtesy of Heather Emelander. Member Gerry Pappalardo provided the photo of the Marsh Mallows. The Persian Shield photo is from Sandy Brighouse, also a member of the Friends. Thanks to all!

The Haggerty Education Center’s raised beds are a cheerful mix of bright and sunny annuals in shades of red, yellow and blue, all beautifully displayed against the evergreen shrubs in the background. Several tall Bronze Fennel plants (Foeniculum vulgare) are in full bloom in the gardens next to Matilda’s Cottage, and the bees are busy pollinating their flowers. It’s mid-summer and the Hardy Hibiscus plants are putting on their annual show with a variety of large, colorful flowers; this week we’re featuring the gorgeous pink flower of Hibiscus moscheutos cv. Copper King with its red center and veining. Each flower only lasts a day, but the show goes on for weeks with new flowers opening daily. There are many other Hardy Hibiscus plants at the Arboretum; plan a visit and see them all!

Thanks to Valerie Scarinci for the Hibiscus photo.

The gardeners at the Arboretum are certainly doing their job keeping things watered in this heat! A Purpletop Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) and a lovely spotted white Asiatic Lily (Lilium spp) are blooming in the beds near Matilda’s Cottage. Several Amaranth plants are also in bloom  next to Matilda’s Cottage, showing off their striking red flowers. One of the common names for the Amaranth is Love Lies Bleeding, a very apt description for this unusual looking plant!

On Sunday, July 14th a group of people joined us for Dr. Jon Greenberg’s Biblical Botany Walk. Dr. Greenberg led us around the Arboretum’s gardens to specific plants, such as Chard and Figs, and spoke about them in terms of their significance in the Bible as well as their symbolism and history.

It was a very hot day, so many thanks to all who attended and stayed with us for the duration of the program!

Typical summer weather, hazy, hot and humid. When you visit be sure to keep to the shady spots, but do enjoy the pond in front of Matilda’s Cottage where a Nymphaea cv. Rose Arey (Water Lily) is blooming; you might even spot a frog or two! The garden slope in front of Matilda’s is a lovely collection of Artemisia, ornamental grasses, and other drought resistant plants. A Cotinus (Smoke Bush) by the Arboretum’s rear exit is covered in wispy, airy, smoky looking flowers.

Plan a visit soon, but remember to bring a bottle of water and wear a hat.

Thanks to Valerie Scarinci for the Water Lily photo and to Judy Snow for the Smoke Bush flowers and slope garden.

The gardens are bursting with color, bright yellow two-toned Rudbeckias (Coneflowers) are in bloom in the entrance garden, bees are keeping busy on the Asclepias (Milkweed) flowers and another bee visits the Campsis radicans (Trumpet Vine) growing up a light post. 

Summer has arrived and with it a whole array of lovely, fragrant colorful flowers to delight the senses.

Many thanks to Valerie Scarinci for the photo of the Trumpet Vine climbing the light post and to Judy Snow for all other photos this week.

One of the great things about gardening is the ability to create planters to place around your property to fill in an empty space in a flower bed, or to create a focal point. There’s no limit to your creativity since the planters can be placed wherever needed and the contents can be as exotic as you want.

Here are three that can be seen around the Haggerty Education Center: A large terracotta planter containing Billbergia cv. Hallelujah Queen’s Tears, orange Zinnias and a delicate white Bacopa. Another pot placed in the shade behind the handicap ramp contains Bacopa again, a couple of bright red flowers (perhaps a Begonia and Petunia) and a large leafy tropical all nicely backed up by an Oakleaf Hydrangea in full bloom. The third planter has a trellis for the pink Mandevilla to twine up plus a dark leaved vine to provide contrast between the pink and white flowers. I call this one Pretty in Pink!

There are more planters scattered around the property, so why not visit and try to find them all!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.