Bloom Reports

<p>“Blossom by blossom the spring begins” -Algernon Charles Swinburne Suddenly it’s SPRING at Willowwood!. This winter was brutal as February was the snowiest on record for this area with over 31 inches of snow. It may have felt like winter was never going to end but the sounds of spring- the chirping birds, the hum [&hellip;]</p>

<p>“I&#8217;m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables The beauty of the autumn season has begun and visitors may now enjoy the arboreta during standard operating hours, daily from 8AM to dusk. The maples, dogwoods, and katsura are all changing color at the Willowwood [&hellip;]</p>

<p>WELCOME BACK to the Willowwood Arboretum! Beginning Monday, August 3, Willowwood is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. CLOSED WEEKENDS. Buildings are closed but most gardens and walking trails are open. A porta john is available. This quote by Minnie Aumonier seems apt for this moment in time- “When the world wearies [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Late summer is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the fullness of the gardens. The perennials throughout the grounds are large and lush. With only six or seven weeks until our first frost, now is a perfect time to enjoy the Rosarie, full of many cold-sensitive plants. Some interesting annuals are the Giant Castor [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Willowwood is beginning to burst with lush foliage and colorful flowers from the plentiful rains the last few weeks. Visitors this week will see the Wisteria floribunda in peak bloom growing on rustic arbors throughout the gardens. The cottage garden is also beginning its display of alliums, cheerfully busting from the ground in explosions of [&hellip;]</p>

<p>It may not be a bright sunny day but Mother&#8217;s Day and May is very special at the Willowwood Arboretum.Mother Nature has been very capricious this Spring but we are delighted to have the vibrant redbuds, tulips, azaleas, the first Lilacs of the season, the lovely purple wisteria and the wonderful rare Japanese flowering &#8216;green&#8217; [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Yes, the weather forecast is for cooler (Fallish) weather this weekend but it will warm up a bit again and the gardens at the Willowwood Arboretum are in full, late summer bloom &#8211; just lush and gorgeous! Plan a visit before first frost and stroll through the gardens or hike one of the trails through [&hellip;]</p>

<p>If you like to walk the trails and/or hike around Willowwood and Bamboo Brook, late summer and into late fall with the changing foliage and blooming meadows is a perfect time. This article &#8220;When you could in Jersey — and touch Africa&#8221; by Michele S. Byers, Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, on our [&hellip;]</p>

<p>As summer slowly starts to wind down, a subtle transition begins to occur in the meadows at the Willowwood. The mid-summer blooming perennials such as wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), slender mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolim), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) have all begun to push out what will be their final flush of flowers for the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We’re entering the second week of May with numerous plants flowering in the relatively cool weather. In fact, there are so many varieties of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials in flower that they can’t all be mentioned. You’ll have to come experience them in person, but there are a few standouts that should be highlighted. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>It is a grey and messy day today, but the flowers and gardens do need the rain. At Willowwood, all the flowering trees are in bloom, the wisteria arbor has started but is not quite in full bloom as yet and all the lilacs are either in bloom (the early varieties) or beginning. So come [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Easter weekend promises to bring great weather and masses of spring flowers to Willowwood. The daffodils are nearly in full bloom now and present breathtaking views along the entrance driveway. Cherries and magnolia add splashes of spring color all over the arboretum. There is a giant Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Shaka No Hisui’) in the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Cool, wet weather in March slowed down our spring explosion, but activity in the gardens and landscape is starting to heat up again. The long range forecast for the week is sun and warmth! Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are poised to be a prime attraction during the next couple of weeks and Willowwood’s collection contains over [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The latter half of February brought unseasonably warm days and gave us an early glimpse of our springtime blooms. We head into March with early flowering bulbs promising a wonderful spring. Winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis) was the first to surface, with bright yellow drifts brightening the landscape around the Tubbs House and surrounding gardens. Crocuses [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Despite the worries of hurricanes, the weather forecast this week (10.5.16) and the weekend is just about perfect, warm in the sun, cool breeze and still so many plants in bloom in the gardens. And remember, the Arboretum is open from 8 am to dusk daily, so lots of time for a ramble through the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Willowwood Arboretum is just gorgeous at this time of year. The gardens, particularly the Rosarie and the Cottage Gardens are filled with blooms and riotous greenery. While rain has been scarce, the gardeners have been watering and with cooler nights and warm sunny days, visitors can enjoy these beautifully planted and arranged areas. And the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Summer is a beautiful time at Willowwood as Sara reports below. The Cottage Garden is in full bloom, The Rosarie is just lovely on a hot summer day (look for the door to nowhere) and definitely plan to sit on the back porch and look at Pan&#8217;s Garden. Early morning or evening is a great [&hellip;]</p>

<p>There is much in bloom here at Willowwood this week: in the Rosarie, several varieties of clematis, roses, white baptisia, luminously yellow evening primroses, and oakleaf hydrangea. In the Cottage Garden: hardy geraniums, white foxgloves, spotted deadnettle, lady’s mantle, poppies and cornflowers. However, despite the abundance of blooms, June is really a month to celebrate [&hellip;]</p>

<p>May has been a spectacular month at Willowwood, and there is so much in bloom here now that a short report will hardly do it justice: you will simply have to come and see the gardens for yourself! Later-flowering lilacs are still in bloom, and a stroll through the Lilac Collection will reward you with [&hellip;]</p>

<p>After all this rain, which we needed, the weathermen are predicting some sun on Saturday and more on Sunday afternoon. With lots warmer temps headed our way mid to end next week. The rain has helped nourish the Spring flowers in the gardens (the tulips and daffodils are finished) and the lilacs and other flowering [&hellip;]</p>