Out and About in the Arboretum

The Medford Campus Meadow is coming into bloom. As you are going along Estaugh Way, you can enjoy the penstemon, spiderwort and coreopsis.

Even on a cloudy day, the Cornus kousa dogwood will brighten your day. This tree is a cousin to the American Dogwood and provides varied interest throughout the year.

Along Medford Leas Way the conditions appear to be especially favorable this year for a wonderful show of blooms on the rhododendrons. The word “rhododendron” comes from two Ancient Greek word, “rhodon” which means rose and “dendron”, which means tree.

The native Honeysuckle, Major Wheeler, is in full bloom, producing a blanket of tubular, reddish orange to coral colored flowers from now through summer.

Aesculus hippocastanum, Horse Chestnut, is a large tree known for its showy flowers in May. This non-native tree gives its all at this time of the year, with clusters of flowers that are often six inches or more.

We are all in agreement that the American Dogwoods look especially full and lush this year. This densely crowned tree is considered by many to be the very symbol of spring, with its magnificent white or pink blossoms.