Out and About in the Arboretum

Chionanthus virginicus, commonly called Fringetree, is a favorite tree for many to enjoy. The fragrance of the blooms is so special at this time of the year, and the heat seems to make it a bit more intense. The common name refers to the fragrant flowers which feature airy clusters of fringe-like, creamy white petals. At night, the tree can shed a luminescent radiance in the moonlight.

Bring on the hummingbirds! Major Wheeler,Lonicera sempervirens, a native vine, is in full bloom, producing a blanket of tubular, reddish orange to coral colored flowers from now through summer. Towards the end of the growing season, red berries will attract goldfinches and robins.

If you like colorful blooms on trees, you will love the horse chestnut (Aesculus sp.) trees as they come into bloom. These surely are attention-grabbing specimens in the spring. The trees feature beautiful clusters of white or red flowers at this time. In addition to the beauty of the blooms, they also provide great shade in the summer and grow quickly. With a growth habit of 13 to 24 inches each year, these trees will grow to a mature height of 50 to 75 feet.

As you are out and about in the Arboretum, you will see and enjoy a number of Cornus florida. These trees, commonly known as Flowering Dogwood, are in full bloom. As you stand at the intersection of Medford Leas and Estaugh Ways on the Medford Campus, you will have a beautiful view of these native trees. They are a wonderful understory tree tucked in between the majestic White Pines along Medford Leas Way going towards the Lois Forrest Nature Center.

As we enter into the month of May, the Arboretum continues to come alive. During the month of April, residents on the Medford Campus put together a listing of areas to explore, designed to encourage residents and staff to get out and about and explore this beautiful campus that we are so fortunate to enjoy. We encourage residents on both campuses and staff as well to take advantage of this opportunity!

While we absolutely understand the need to cancel our annual Evening in the Arboretum that was to be held Saturday, April 25, we still celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum – especially at this time of the year. Whether we enjoy and visit the Courtyard Gardens, meadows, the woodlands or the many specimen trees on Campus, we recognize the natural beauty that surrounds us every day.