Out and About in the Arboretum

If you have been out and about in the Arboretum recently, you may have noticed the new plantings in Courtyard Garden 11. This Court has had a “refresh” for all to enjoy. The design allowed the large specimen trees to stay in place, along with a number of shrubs. Added to the design are assorted shrubs, grasses, and ferns, along with a bluestone patio. The Stewartia, with its white flowers which resemble camellias, is now in bloom.

This past month, the Lumberton Campus Meadow displayed a wonderful show of color. In early June, a group of residents gathered to enjoy a walk guided by our resident, Miriam Swartz, who is our “guru” on the topic of wildflowers. Of particular note was the White Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, and the Carolina Pea, Thermopsis villosa. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/dwOmEBC1eBc on for an “up close and personal” tour.

Even on a cloudy day, the Cornus kousa dogwood will brighten your day. This tree is a cousin to the American Dogwood. Native to China and Japan, it is theorized that over the millennia the Kousa Dogwood developed fleshy fruits which were appealing to the monkeys in these countries. Here in the Arboretum, this tree is a fan favorite for its seasonality, providing varied interest throughout the year.

At the end of May, six Ilex x attenuata, “Longwood Gold,” were planted between the rear of the Lois Forrest Nature Center and Rushmore Building 64 on the Medford Campus. This tree is a natural hybrid of two North American species of holly. Longwood Gold is from seed collected at the Morris Arboretum. It has dark green leathery foliage that doesn’t fade during the winter, providing a contrast for the vivid yellow berries.

Just this past week, seven Flowering Dogwood trees, Cornus florida, were planted along the Railroad Right of Way on the Medford Campus. These trees will mature over the years to give us blooms in the spring for years to come. Dogwood, with its graceful branches, delicate blossoms and crimson fall foliage, is considered by many to be the queen of the North American forests. It does particularly well as an understory tree.

This is a great time to take a minute to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the White fringetrees, Chionanthus virginicus. You will find a number of these specimen trees on the Medford Campus, including those in Courts 23 and 20, as well as a grouping of them in Rushmore opposite Buildings 63 and 64, and on the Lumberton Campus near the Community Building. Their most popular feature is the fragrant fringe-like flowers that are in bloom for just a short time.