Out and About in the Arboretum

With its ever present green holly-like foliage, fragrant yellow flowers in the spring and inky blue berries in the fall, leatherleaf mahonia, Mahonia bealei, adds year-round interest in Court 4 and Court 2 on the Medford Campus, as well as other areas. This shrub grows slowly and requires very little pruning to control its size. Leatherleaf mahonia belongs to a

Pine Cones! Just about everyone has seen them around the Campuses, but did you know: The term ‘pine cone’ is only correct when talking about cones that come from pine trees. All conifers produce cones as their way of reproducing. All conifer produce male and female cones. The cones hold multiple seeds that are released when the cone has matured.

In the words of William Shakespeare, “The earth has music for those who listen.” In the winter season, you may need to listen closely to the earth to enjoy the bounty of nature. If you look closely, you will notice the beautiful structure of the trees barren of their leaves and enjoy the evergreens for their constant presence of green. Also you may note the

January is a perfect time to visit the Greenhouse on the Ground Floor of the Haddon Building on the Medford Campus. Run by an MLRA Committee, the Greenhouse is open from mid-October through mid-May. When you walk in the area, you will be surrounded by bright colors of spring and summer. In particular this year, the orchids seem especially prolific.

Nandina domestica, commonly called heavenly bamboo, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is grown for its interesting foliage and bright red berries. Native to Japan, China and India, this shrub is also at home here in the Barton Arboretum in the Atrium of the Community Building, and in Courts 12 and 17. Tiny white flowers appear in late spring, and