Out and About in the Arboretum

A sign of fall coming is the show of violet colored berries that are beginning to appear on Beautyberry, Callicarpa dichotoma. This rounded, deciduous shrub is a native to our area and the birds surely enjoy it. Once the cooler weather settles in the birds will feast on the berries until every last one of them is gone. Just one warning, if you plant this in your garden, you may find it to be so happy there that it can spread easily within your garden.

You may want to take a visit to Court 20 on the Medford Campus to enjoy the Chinese Seven-Sun Tree, Heptacodium miconioides. This fountain-shaped tree features clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers in late summer to early fall. Flowers appear in clusters, with each containing seven tiny flowers (hence the common name). Exfoliating bark adds another layer of interest. This plant, native to China, is rare; but we are pleased to have one in our collection. The butterflies love it as well as a wonderful source of nectar as we come into the fall season.

The Medford Leas Flower Show is a well-known tradition to our community. This year is no different, except that it will be a more “casual” show as compared to other years. The traditional show has been renamed an “Exhibit” to let folks know this is not a formal judged show, as has long been the tradition. The most important thing that will remain the same is the ability this exhibit gives residents and staff to share the best of their floral and vegetable crops, in addition to showcasing the talents of our resident floral arrangers.

Exciting news! Coming soon: improvements to the Atrium Garden in the Community Building. The big news is that the fountain will be renovated for both humans and fish to enjoy. And don’t worry — we have made accommodations for the turtles and the fish while the work is being done. Of the large trees already in place, just one tree that has been in decline needs to come down. While we will miss the crabapple, we know that trees don’t live forever. A wonderful native weeping redbud will replace this specimen.

The great thing about native plants is that often there is seasonal interest for all to enjoy. Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, is such a native shrub. During late summer green berries form on the shrubs. As we move into the fall and winter seasons, what are now relatively inconspicuous berries become bright red in color for all of us to enjoy and for birds to feast upon through the winter months.

There are over 75 species and 600 named cultivars of Hydrangeas that are native to a wide range of regions and countries, including Japan, Asia, Indonesia, Himalayan mountains, and the Americas. Hydrangeas can grow as climbing vines and trees, but are most commonly grown as a shrub. Hydrangea paniculata, commonly called Panicle Hydrangea, is a vigorous, upright, shrub native to China and Japan, with white blooms that will carry us into the early fall season.