The sunny beds flanking the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center have been planted differently this year with a “hot” combination of tropical plants, including Aechmea blanchetiana ‘Hawaii” (Bromeliad), deep red Coleus spp, bright orange Marigolds (Tagetes) and delicate Tassel Flowers (Emilia spp). It makes for a striking arrangement, especially when planted in front of the dark green hedge behind. Visit and see for yourself!
Picture credits: Margery Ennist.
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
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As the saying goes, Spring has Sprung! The Daffodils, Hyacinths and other smaller bulbs are all blooming, the Tulip bulbs planted last fall are all up and it won’t be long before we’re treated to the beautiful display of flowers, cute Pansy faces are looking out from a variety of planters and the Cherry trees (Prunus subhirtella, Higan Cherry) are beginning to bloom. This is such a special and beautiful time of year; make time to visit soon!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
The day started out sunny, in the mid-40’s, but turned chilly and windy. The Witch Hazels and Pussy Willows are starting to bloom, love the splash of color and the fuzzy buds. Here are photos of a Magnolia denudata (Yulan Magnolia) bud, the flowers of Hamamelis vernalis ‘Red Imp’ (Witch Hazel) and the buds and blooms of Salix chaenomeloides (Giant Pussy Willow).
The winter storm last weekend wasn’t as serious as it might have been, but nevertheless the snowfall covered the Arboretum’s grounds with a crisp white blanket. Come for a visit, but do wear boots as some of the paths have not been shoveled. Here are photos of the Meadow, the Mansion and the Arbor under their snowy cover.
You might be surprised to see yellow in the winter garden, but several so-called evergreen plants also sport some yellow foliage; i.e., the green and yellow-spotted Aucuba japonica cv. Variegata (Japanese Aucuba), a rosette of yellow Ilex leaves (Holly species) and the yellow needles of Cephalotaxus harringtonia cv. Korean Gold (Japanese Plum Yew). Incidentally, Cephalotaxus is a good, deer-resistant substitute for Taxus baccata (English Yew).
Brrr, it was cold and windy at the Arboretum today! And yet, there was still some green to be found peeking through the snow which fell last week, i.e. fronds of Dryopteris erythrosora cv. Brilliance (Autumn Fern, note the fertile fronds at the top of the photo) and the tight evergreen rosettes of Euphorbia amygdaloides subspecies robbiae (Wood Spurge). Also, the beautiful, delicate, dry seed pods of Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Blue Mist’ (Blue Mist Shrub also known as Bluebeard or Blue Spirea).
A chilly and brisk walk around the grounds today. A couple of Winter arrangements in large pots at the Haggerty Education Center and the beautiful red twigs of Cornus alba cv. Siberica (Red Twig Dogwood) were on display.
White and pale orange captured my attention today as I strolled through the various gardens at the Arboretum. A huge, very fragrant flower on the Magnolia grandiflora cv. Edith Bogue (Southern Magnolia Cultivar), the large trumpet shaped flower on a Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet), the spidery white flower on the annual Cleome hassleriana (Spider Flower) and the light orange flower on the Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creeper Vine) climbing over the arbor leading into the Haggerty Education Center. Plan to visit soon!
A gorgeous warm, sunny day with clear blue skies and abundant white fluffy clouds floating overhead. The cottage next to the Haggerty Education Center is surrounded by many different plants and flowers. Some of the flowers blooming today: a lacy, light blue Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist), an Oakleaf Hydrangea, a spike of Stachys cv. Summer Romance (Betony) being visited by a pollen covered bee, and a bright yellow Coneflower (Echinacea).
On hand for the day were members of the North American Butterfly Association, as well as Lorette Cheswick, horiculturist and beekeeper, Jim Walker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Denville, Gail DiDomenico, a Master Gardener, popular local speaker and plant expert, and members of the Home Garden Club of Morristown. Helping out were Master Gardener volunteers, teen volunteers, and of course, members of the Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
A new batch of closeups from contributor, Steve Kanan who says, “Relaxing with the macro early Friday evening after a long week. Thank you Frelinghuysen for being there.”
Cloudy and muggy with rain in the forecast. Nevertheless, lots in bloom in the gardens. A sea of Callirhoe involucrata (Purple Poppy Mallow) gently swaying in the breeze, a tall Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein) blooming against a Blue Spruce in the background, the complex, scented flowers of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), the fluffy white flowers of Sambucus canadensis cv. Maxima (American Elderberry) and the tall, feathery, pale yellow flowers of Thalictrum flavum subspec. glaucum (Meadow Rue).
There used to be a set of stairs going up to the patio on the side of the Haggerty Education Center. Several years ago, the patio was renovated, the stairs were eliminated and new railings were installed; there is a handicapped accessible ramp to the patio, as well. The four lamp posts that were on the sides of the steps were left. The following spring, new plantings were installed where the stairs were; at first they really didn’t look like much, but as the plants became established, grew and spread, the area turned into an attractive garden visible as you come up the driveway at the Arboretum.
The plantings are a combination of Prunus laurocerasus cv. Schipkaensis, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’, Hosta sieboldiana cv. Elegans, a lovely purple variegated leaf Iris, a perennial Geranium (Wargrave Pink, perhaps?) and some Columbines. Enjoy the photos.
A bit muggy and cloudy at the Arboretum today, but we are expecting rain. As always, much to see and enjoy, such as the intricate, perfectly round seed head of an Allium flower, the beautiful, but toxic, flowers of a potato plant (Solanum tuberosum, in the Nightshade family) and a stalk of Phlomis tuberosa flowers (Jerusalem Sage, in the Mint family) working their way up the stem in groups of pretty lavender flowers.