Out and About in the Arboretum

As we all work together to get through this challenging environment, this could be a wonderful time to get out and about in the arboretum. How fortunate are our residents and staff to live in, and work in the Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve.

Of course, you will need to remain socially distanced, which means 6 feet apart from anyone who may be with you. We all must look after our mental and physical health, and fresh air, nature and exercise are important for that. Again, remember the rule of social distancing.

You may want to use this time to take a walk on the nature trails, on either campus, or take a look at Court 17 on the Medford Campus to enjoy the daffodils and camellias. Also, keep an eye out for the magnolias in bloom–a wonderful way to lift your spirits with their showy blooms and fragrance.

We just enjoyed the first day of Spring-March 19, 2020 and we are definitely enjoying the early signs of spring. We all have seen daffodils blooming, trees setting buds and some trees actually in bloom with their beautiful spring color. The daffodils that you see in bloom now will be joined by daffodils that are due to bloom later in the spring season. This purposeful selection of different bloom times helps to extend the season of this favored flower. Over the past three years, over 30000 daffodil bulbs have been added to the Medford Campus collection, so keep your eyes peeled as they unfold!

Just this past week, the Meadows on both Campuses got their annual early spring mowing. The reason for the mowing is to stimulate new growth for the season to come. We were fortunate to find just the right time for this task to be done. Already, blue birds have been spotted in both Meadows and a flock of very happy red wing black birds were enjoying the Oak trees in the Medford Campus Meadow.

Leatherleaf Mahonia, Mahonia bealei, belongs to a class of shrubs entitled broadleaf evergreens. This shrub provides year round interest with its spiky leaves, but right now is a great time to enjoy its fragrant yellow flowers.

While you may encounter a number of Hellebores, Lenten Rose plants on the Medford Campus, the easiest to spot and enjoy are the ones in the Atrium near the Reception Desk in the Community Building. Helleborus orientalis are not roses at all, instead they are perennial flowers that derived their name from the fact that the blooms resemble a rose. These plants often bloom during the Lent season. They make a wonderful addition to a shade garden, or naturalized area. In addition to the blooms in the Atrium, you will find them in Court 13.

As you traverse through the Medford Campus from the New Freedom Road entrance on your way to the Community Building, you go through a lovely wooded area composed primarily of Fagus grandiflora, American beech. The smooth, silvery bark adds to the beauty of this native tree, but the leaves also make a statement, especially in the winter.