What's in Bloom

Evening Island: Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus), tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa), alumroot (Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride'), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea 'Moorflamme'), Prairie Sky switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'). Fall color: Golden weeping willow (Salix alba 'Tristis'). Colorful fruit: Cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)- red fruits, redbud crabapple (Malus x zumi 'Calocarpa') – red fruits, Korean mountainash (Sorbus alnifolia) – orange and scarlet berries.

Throughout the late fall and winter continue to enjoy the beauty of Evening Island. Notice the textures, colors, and sounds of the island's grasses. Now that the leaves have fallen from the trees the different views from the Island are more open. Bundle up and enjoy the Garden no matter what the weather. What a wonderful, fun feeling to be the first person down a Garden path after a fresh snowfall!

Fruit & Vegetable Garden: Fall harvest is complete. Cold hardy herbs and vegetables are still in several of the beds. Flowering annuals have been removed and tulip bulbs have been planted for next year's display. Fruit and nut trees are loosing their leaves as are the berry brambles and bushes. New buds are set for the next growing season. The island is a place of solitude and beauty even as plants rest awaiting spring's awakening.

Japanese Garden (Sansho-En): Winter interest. Fruits: Cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus ), Vaughn hawthorn (Crataegus 'Vaughn'), crabapples (Malus 'Adams' and M. 'Red Jewel'), and redbud crabapple (Malus x zumi 'Calocarpa'). Colorful twigs: Dogwoods (Cornus alba, Cornus drummondii, Cornus sericea). Note the gnarled, aged appearance of the trained pines and the mounded shape of the shrubs, contrasting with the redtwig dogwoods. Come and visit after a snowfall for great photo opportunities.