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Sycamore Hill Show: The trees and shrubs are in peak bloom.Colors include the bright reds of Weigelia ‘Red Prince’ & ‘Edith Rathke’ (she’s also showing off near the princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) along Garden Lane), of the tall climbing rose (Rosa ‘Bess Lovett’), and of red buckeye (Aesculus pavia); the pastels of alternate leaf butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia) and lilacs (Syringa species); and the white of showy deutzia (Deutzia x maxima), American fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), mock orange (Philadelphus species), Kousa dogwood (Cornus Kousa), tree lilac (Syringa retusis), the American yellowwood tree (Cladrastis kentuckea), beaked stewartia (Stewartia rostrata), and Oyama magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii ’Colossus’).
Everywhere: But, listed only here:
The airy white umbels of viburnums (mostly Viburnum dilatatum – linden viburnum & some Viburnum dentatum – arrowwood viburnum) are found throughout the Gardens and Estate this week.
The yellow, green & orange flowers of tulip poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera) can be seen on the trees & also on the ground. Look up or down to see them.
The tiny white-to-pale-pink daisies of fleabane (Erigeron annuus) are blooming throughout the Estate.
The purple, lavender, and white flowers of Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) are present in lesser or greater abundance in the gardens and fields.
White clover (Trifolium repens) in the fields and lawns is providing nectar and pollen for the pollinators and nitrogen for the soil.
Peonies are all the rage in the Lower Peonie Garden. Breathtaking!
Hybrid Torch azaleas are real showstoppers in Enchanted Woods and elsewhere through the Garden.
Primula with their various colors and lovely foliage delight throughout the Garden, especially in the Quarry Garden, as seen below.
What’s blooming at Winterthur now? Download the full report below:
(Click on photo above for information on the Candelabra Primrose by The American Primrose Society)
Check these out:
Primroses: (See photo above) The Quarry is showy with bright pink Japanese primroses (Primula sieboldii) and red and pink candelabra primroses (Primula species), which are also blooming along the Glade path.
Azaleas & Rhododendrons: The azaleas and rhododendrons in Azalea Woods and the native azaleas in the Pinetum and on Oak Hill are at their best this week, accompanied by azaleas throughout the gardens. The gardens are overflowing with brilliant colors!
Dove Tree: Check the corner created by the back of the glass Soup Tureen corridor & the Library to see the fluttering white bracts of the rare Dove Tree, or Handkerchief Tree, (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriana) in bloom.
Violets: Blue, blue & white, white, & yellow violets (Viola species) are blooming throughout the gardens and fields.
Starting: The tiny white-to-pale-pink daisies of fleabane (Erigeron annuus) are beginning to bloom throughout the estate. They will become numerous as the season progresses. They are listed only here.
What’s blooming at Winterthur now? Download full report below!:
(Click on photo above for information by Missouri Botanical Garden on the Dove Tree)
Check these out:
Dove Tree (photo above): Check the corner created by the back of the glass Soup Tureen corridor & the Library to see the fluttering white bracts of the rare Dove Tree, or Handkerchief Tree, (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriana) in bloom.
Azaleas: Azalea Woods is filled with azaleas in full bloom and most of the native azaleas in the Pinetum are blooming as well. The gardens are overflowing with brilliant colors!
Lilacs: Lilacs (Syringa species & cultivars) are in full bloom and fragrance near the Greenhouse, in the Peony Garden, and in the Sundial Garden.
Primroses: The Quarry is showy with bright pink Japanese primroses (Primula sieboldii) and red and pink candelabra primroses (Primula species), which are also blooming along the Glade path.
Dogwoods & Doublefiles: Dogwoods (Cornus florida species & cultivars – most white, few pink) are blooming throughout the Gardens & the Estate. They create a white highlight along the edge of Brown’s Woods. Their white is echoed by the doublefile viburnums (Viburnum plicatum forma tomentosum).
Violets: Blue, blue & white, white, & yellow violets (Viola species) are blooming throughout the gardens and fields.
What’s blooming at Winterthur now? Download full report below:
Dove Tree: Check the corner created by the back of the glass Soup Tureen corridor & the Library to see the fluttering white bracts of the rare Dove Tree, or Handkerchief Tree, (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriana) in bloom.
Pearlbush: The Latimer Gates are highlighted by the white flowers of Wilson’s pearlbush (Exochorda giraldii x wilsonii) while a smaller pearlbush cultivar (Exochorda macrantha ‘The Bride’) is blooming in the Pinetum and the Sundial Garden.
Lilacs: Lilacs (Syringa species & cultivars) are in full bloom and fragrance near the Greenhouse, in the Peony Garden, and in the Sundial Garden.
Primroses: The Quarry is showy with bright pink Japanese primroses (Primula sieboldii) and red and pink candelabra primroses (Primula species), which are also blooming along the Glade path.
Redbuds: Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are creating a pinkish lavender glow on the hillsides lining the Quarry path along Sycamore Hill. They are lighting up other parts of the Gardens as well. The white-flowered cultivar (Cercis canadensis ‘Alba’) blooms in Enchanted Woods and Azalea Woods.
Dogwoods: Dogwoods (Cornus florida species & cultivars – most white, few pink) are blooming throughout the Gardens & the Estate. They create a white highlight along the edge of Brown’s Woods.
Violets: Blue, blue & white, & yellow violets (Viola species) are blooming throughout the gardens and fields.
Daffodils Everywhere: Daffodils (Narcissus species and cultivars) are blooming throughout the Estate in small clumps and huge expanses. There are too many to count!
Pearlbush: The Latimer Gates are highlighted by the white flowers of Wilson’s pearlbush (Exochorda giralidd x wilsonii) while a smaller pearlbush cultivar (Exochorda macrantha ‘The Bride’) is blooming in the Pinetum and the Sundial Garden.
Another Blue Wave: Azalea Woods is filled with the delicate blue and white daisy-like Italian windflowers (Anemone apennina) and light blue Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). They spill down the March Bank and fill parts of Icewell Terrace and Enchanted Woods and decorate other areas in the gardens.
Primroses: The Quarry is showy with bright pink Japanese primroses (Primula sieboldii) and red candelabra primroses (Primula species), which are also blooming along the Glade path. Pale yellow oxlip primroses (Primula elatior) are blooming in Azalea Woods and along the path to Icewell Terrace.
A Colorful Show: The Quince Walk is a flurry of flowers with the flowering quince (Chaenomeles cultivars) showing off in blazing red-orange, orange, red and cooler pale orange & white with a supporting cast of white spiraea (Spiraea cantoniensis & Spiraea prunifolium cultivars) and a carpet of pale blue starflower (Ipheion uniflorum).
Violets: Blue, blue & white, & yellow violets (Viola species) are blooming throughout the gardens and fields.
A Convergence of Colorful Clouds: Cherries (Prunus species and cultivars) are blooming pale pink and white throughout the Estate, both in the gardens and in the wooded areas. At the far end of the Sundial Garden, flowers of star magnolias (Magnolia stellata cultivars), saucer magnolias (Magnolia x soulangeana cultivars) and the magnificent Wada’s Memory magnolia (Magnolia ‘Wada’s Memory’) are underlined by the blooming garland spiraea (Spiraea x arguta) and Hally Jolivette cherry (Prunus ‘Hally Jolivette’). The Quince Walk is a flurry of flowers with the flowering quince (Chaenomeles cultivars) showing off in blazing red-orange, orange, red and cooler pale orange & white with a supporting cast of white spiraea (Spiraea x arguta & Spiraea prunifolium cultivars) and a carpet of pale blue starflower (Ipheion uniflorum).
Daffodils Everywhere: Daffodils (Narcissus species and cultivars) are blooming throughout the Estate in small clumps and huge expanses. There are too many to count!
It’s a Brief Show: The white flowers of bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) are blooming in many areas of the garden this week. They are particularly abundant on the hill below the walkway at the lower edge of the Parking Area. Their flowers last a very short time.
Anemones: Azalea Woods is filled with the delicate blue and white daisy-like Italian windflowers (Anemone apennina). They spill down the March Bank and fill parts of Icewell Terrace and Enchanted Woods and decorate other areas in the gardens.
Violets: Blue, blue & white, & yellow violets (Viola species) are blooming throughout the gardens and fields.
A River of Blue: It starts in Azalea Woods, flows down the lawn to the Museum including the upper East Terrace, down the March Bank and up the opposite side to the walkway from Winterhazel Walk to Icewell Terrace. It’s made up of lavender blue glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii), royal blue Siberian squill (Scilla siberica), and blue to white Italian anemone (Anemone apennina). The sunken garden in the Greenhouse area is a sea of intense blue and the rest of the gardens have blue accents in greater or lesser numbers.
Flowering Quince: The Quince Walk area of the Pinetum is filling with the bright red, red-orange, peach, and white blossoms of flowering quince (Chaenomeles species & cultivars).
Heavenly Hellebores: The Lenten roses (Helleborus species & hybrids) are blooming in white, pink spotted, pink, & wine red in the Greenhouse sunken garden, in front of The Cottage, along Winterhazel Walk, at the edge of the Pinetum and in the raised bed in the Museum East courtyard.
The blue carpet is rolling out: The Museum Upper Terrace lawn is carpeted with lavender blue glory-of-the-snow (Chionoodoxa forbesii) which are also found throughout the gardens. The royal blue of Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is carpeting the lawn adjacent to the walk from Winterhazel Walk to Icewell Terrace and areas of Azalea Woods and the sunken garden in the Greenhouse area. They dot the lawn sloping from Garden Lane to the Museum & are found in many other areas of the garden.
Wonderful witch hazel: At the Visitor Center, ‘February Gold’ Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis cultivar) displays its yellow ‘ribbon’ blossoms. At the Museum, on the lawn adjacent to Clenny Run, Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and pale Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’) are in full bloom along with ‘Princeton Gold’ (Hamamelis mollis cultivar) on the Museum Upper Terrace. At The Cottage, both Chinese witch hazel and the hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Sunburst’ are also in full bloom.
Wonderful witch hazel: At the Visitor Center, the vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) is covered with rusty orange ‘tassel’ flowers while the ‘Wisley Supreme’ & ‘February Gold’ and ‘Pallida’ Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis cultivars) display longer yellow ‘ribbons’. At the Museum, on the lawn adjacent to Clenny Run, Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and pale Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’) are in full bloom along with ‘Princeton Gold’ (Hamamelis mollis cultivar) on the Museum Upper Terrace. At The Cottage, both Chinese witch hazel and the hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Sunburst’ are also in full bloom.
Lovely lavender: The early crocus (Crocus tommasinianus/’Tommies) create a carpet of lavender & silver in the lawn at the entrance to the Visitor Center Walkway, in the lawn across from the Brown Center, on the Museum Upper Terrace lawn, and in the sloping lawns on both sides of Chandler Farm Road below the Fire House. They also appear singly or in smaller groups in other areas of the garden.
Great Galanthus: Snowdrops (Galanthus species and cultivars) are in bloom throughout the gardens.
Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii, Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’) are in bloom along the March Walk.
The walkway from the Brown Center to the Cottage and Museum is edged in snowdrop blooms with the shiny green leaves of Galanthus woronowii leading to the Brown Center entrance, the hybrid Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ at eye level on the wall adjoining the walkway, and the cultivars Galanthus ‘Fieldgate Prelude’ and Galanthus ‘Galatea’ across the walkway at ground level.
Some snowdrop cultivars are still in bloom in the raised bed at the East Museum entrance and in the Boxwood Garden at the upper East Terrace.
ENTRANCE DRIVE AND PARKING AREA
fbb Corylopsis species (Winterhazel – pale yellow)
b Forsythia x intermedia (Border forsythia – yellow – few flowers)
fb Sarcoccoca hookeriana var. humilis (Sweet box – white)
Wonderful witch hazel: At the Visitor Center, the vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) is covered with rusty orange ‘tassel’ flowers while the ‘Wisley Supreme’ & ‘February Gold’ and ‘Pallida’ Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis cultivars) display longer yellow ‘ribbons’. At the Museum, on the lawn adjacent to Clenny Run, Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and pale Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’) are in full bloom along with ‘Princeton Gold’ (Hamamelis mollis cultivar) on the Museum Upper Terrace. At The Cottage, both Chinese witch hazel and the hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Sunburst’ are also in full bloom.
Lovely lavender: The early crocus (Crocus tommasinianus/’Tommies) create a carpet of lavender & silver in the lawn at the entrance to the Visitor Center Walkway, in the lawn across from the Brown Center, on the Museum Upper Terrace lawn, and in the sloping lawns on both sides of Chandler Farm Road below the Fire House. They also appear singly or in smaller groups in other areas of the garden.
Bright blossoms: Drifts of yellow winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are blooming in Azalea Woods, along the March Bank, in the Glade, and in the lawn from Garden Lane down to the Museum, while smaller displays are appearing throughout the gardens. Drifts of the golden yellow of Amur adonis (Adonis amurensis) add additional brightness to the March Bank.
Great Galanthus: Snowdrops (Galanthus species and cultivars) are in bloom throughout the gardens.
Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii, Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’) are in bloom along the March Walk.
The walkway from the Brown Center to the Cottage and Museum is edged in snowdrop blooms with the hybrid Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ at eye level on the wall adjoining the walkway and the cultivars Galanthus ‘Fieldgate Prelude’ and Galanthus ‘Galatea’ across the walkway at ground level.
Snowdrop cultivars are in bloom in the raised bed at the East Museum entrance and in the Boxwood Garden at the upper East Terrace.
ENTRANCE DRIVE AND PARKING AREA
b Forsythia x intermedia (Border forsythia – yellow – few flowers)