Out and About in the Arboretum

On Saturday, April 25, 2020, Medford Leas will host our Tenth Annual Evening in the Arboretum, from 5:00 to 8:30 PM at the Medford Campus. This event, designed to raise funds for the enhancement of the Arboretum, features Wine and Craft Beer Tastings, Hearty hors d’ Oeuvres, Live Music, and a Silent Auction. This Evening has become a special event, one that brings together residents, staff, family, friends and business partners for a wonderful evening in support of a most deserving cause.

This is a great time of the year to visit to visit the Haddon Greenhouse on the Ground Floor of the Haddon Building on the Medford Campus. This very colorful spot is run by a Medford Leas Residents Association Committee, and is open for residents and staff from mid-October through mid-May. You will enjoy the orchids, succulents, geraniums and yes, even a lemon tree in this area. For a pop of color and a promise that spring does come back, make sure to take a visit to this spot.

This past month has brought improvements to the gardens in Courts 22, 29, 40 and 41 on the Medford Campus. The design goals included keeping trees and shrubs that have been doing well, eliminating some that had aged out, and adding in new plantings to supplement seasonal interest and color. Stay tuned to better enjoy these plantings as we head towards spring.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy and appreciate color in the garden. Check out the orange twig dogwood in the Memory Garden, located off of the Rogers Neighborhood. The brightly colored stems of this shrub offer a dramatic color, especially as the sun hits at the end of the day.

Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico, where they flower during the winter. They are named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first US Ambassador to Mexico in 1825. While visiting Mexico, he was intrigued by the poinsettia plants growing locally, and began growing them in his greenhouses in South Carolina. The Ambassador enjoyed sharing them with friends and family. The holiday tradition of sharing these plants continues today.

Easily found at the intersection of Estaugh and Medford Leas Way on the Medford Campus, you will enjoy the vibrant show of berries on the Linden viburnum. This multi-stemmed shrub reaches 8 to 10 feet high and at this time of the year offers profuse clusters of showy red fruits, that often persist into winter for the birds to enjoy. Take a look as you are out and about – it really is quite a sight to enjoy.