These beautiful images of Spring flowers at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum were sent by visitor, Mark Konopka. These should inspire us all to visit and enjoy Mother Nature’s latest display.
The Friends are happy to bring you several articles about plants at this year’s plant sale by Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission. This article focuses the genus, Trilium (common name, Wakerobin or Toadshade), and talks about several of the beautiful species we can grow here.
Read Bruce’s opening paragraph, and click on the link below to open the full article in a PDF.
Trillium, Bruce Crawford
There is an old saying that good things come in three. Supposedly, it stems from an ncient belief that three of something is complete and ideal. Hence, ‘third time is the charm’ and, should you have the good fortune of finding a Genie, you will be the beneficiary of three wishes! Even in the world of gardening, arranging plants in groups of three makes them look more natural. One plant that certainly embodies the beauty of three is the genus of Trillium! Commonly called Wakerobin or Toadshade based on whether the flower has a floral stem or is sessile, these April bloomers add a beautiful touch of 3’s to the woodland garden! Trillium grandiflorum is pictured at right.
Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission, has written another article for us. He uses Sanguinaria canadensis (common name, Bloodroot), to talk about early spring bulbs in general, but with a focus on this beautiful example.
Read the first paragraph, below, and click on the link below to open the full PDF.
Sanguinaria canadensis, Bruce Crawford
The garden truly awakens during the month of April. The once bare earth suddenly comes alive with a bevy of flowering bulbs and perhaps even a few spring ephemerals. Most gardeners understand how to effectively work bulbs into a garden, but many remain puzzled over the use of spring ephemerals. By definition, this group of plants emerge in early spring, flower, set seed and enter into dormancy by the start of summer, very similar to most bulbs. Their strategy is to complete their annual life cycle before the tree canopy is fully leafed-out and competition for sunlight and water becomes more intense. Unlike most bulbs, this group of plants can be more challenging to work into the garden since the declining foliage can be more of a distraction to the beauty of the late spring garden. Fortunately, some ephemerals retain their foliage well into summer when there are ample floral distractions. Sanguinaria canadensis, commonly known as Bloodroot is just such a plant! A beautiful wildflower that erupts into color in March and April (as seen at right in early April in Northern NJ), it quietly enters into dormancy during the middle of summer.
Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission, writes in this article about Jeffersonia diphylla (common name, Twinleaf), elaborating about its description and history as well as using it as a primer on botanic naming.
After reading the first paragraph, below, you can click on the link to open the full PDF.
Jeffersonia diphylla, Bruce Crawford
Botanical plant names often prove to be a stumbling block for gardeners. They are meant to impart descriptive details about the plant, yet understanding the Latin or Greek roots of the names can prove troublesome. To add to the confusion, in some instances the botanical name honors individuals who were important in horticulture. This can be equally as mystifying since many of these honored individuals lack widespread recognition. However, one plant that should instinctually draw recognition for the honoree is Jeffersonia diphylla, commonly called Twinleaf. The name pays tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the US and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
We’re just 30 days away from the best plant sale in Morris County! Proceeds from the Friends’ Plant Sale support the efforts of the Morris County Park Commission to beautify and maintain the wonderful gardens, trees and trails at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Next week we’ll deliver the Master List of plants, but here are a few choice selection to consider:
Calycanthus floridus ‘ Michael Lindsey’,Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub, a native, woody ornamental with reddish brown, fragrant flowers that bloom for a long period in April and May. The plant has dark green, lustrous foliage with clear yellow to gold fall color. It is wet site tolerant, does well in sun or partial shade, deer resistant, attracts pollinators and may rebloom sporadically throughout the summer. Sweetshrub will grow to a height of 8 feet with a spread of 5 feet.
Matteuccia struthiopters, Ostrich Fern a native of Eastern American woodlands. It gets its name because the open plumes look like Ostrich feathers. Ostrich Fern prefers cool, moist conditions and will spread in any wet, shady area of the garden. Ostrich Fern is deer and rabbit resistant and will grow to a height of 36-60″ and a spread of 36-48″ wide.
Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’, Golden Fleece Goldenrod. A small growing Goldenrod, with arching yellow flower spikes in late summer. It is deer resistant, attracts butterflies and bees, great for full sun and will grow to a height of 15″ by 24″ wide.
On Saturday, March 22, Chef Paul Gatzke conducted a cooking demonstration focusing on the Flavors of the Middle East. Some of the recipes prepared included Grilled Haloumi with Lemon, Olive Oil and Za’atar, Pearl Couscous with Turmeric and Parsley and Braised Pork Tenderloin with Ras Al Hanout, Sumac and Leeks. Attendees reported that the food was delicious. There was a bit of unplanned excitement when the fire alarm was accidentally set off!
Thanks to Judy Snow for the photographs of the class.
Spring has definitely sprung at the Arboretum, two beautiful Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) plants are blooming in the area between the Haggerty Education Center and Matilda’s Cottage: Hamamelis vernalis ‘Red Imp’ and Hamamelis intermedia ‘Sunburst’. With spring officially here, make plans to visit the Arboretum soon to see all that’s blooming!
Thanks to Heather Emelander for these photographs.
The Friends ran our annual bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show last week. By all accounts, this year’s Show, Gardens of Tomorrow, was one of the best ever! Judy Snow was kind enough to share some of her pictures of the Show; if you weren’t able to attend in person, enjoy Judy’s photos!
The 15th Annual Community Garden Conference held last Saturday was a success and very well attended. The Keynote Speaker this year was NJ State Climatologist, Dr. David A. Robinson, who delivered a very timely and informative talk on New Jersey’s changing climate. Other speakers included Peter Nitzsche and Shaun Ananko. The Conference concluded with the Coordinator’s Round Table led by Ned Gardner and Mike Dziomba.
Also in attendance were representatives from Grow It Green Morristown (GIG), Rutgers Soil Test Lab, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County Master Gardeners. In the photos below, Shaun Ananko and Kim Haupt are seated at the GIG table; Director of the Rutgers Soil Test Lab, Dr. Stephanie Murphy is at the Rutgers Soil Test Lab table; Edwin Muniz, State Soil Scientist, is manning the NRCS table and last but not least, Master Gardeners Mary Albright (red apron) and Candice Bolte are shown at the Master Gardeners table.
Although the Haggerty Education Center is scheduled to close in April for some much needed HVAC work, the magnificent carriages on exhibit in the building can still be enjoyed until then. Along with the Colonial Revival mansion, the carriages are a reminder of a bygone era when the grounds of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum were the site of Whippany Farm.
This past Saturday the Friends hosted the Annual Benjamin Blackburn Scholarship Lecture with well-known Photographer, Rob Cardillo as our guest speaker. As you know, this is an annual fundraiser to provide a scholarship to a student or students in the Landscape and Horticultural Technology Program at County College of Morris. Thank you so much to all who purchased tickets to the event, or simply made a contribution. Also many thanks to Mendham Capital Management for their generous sponsorship of the program.
Mr. Cardillo presented a wonderful talk to a very engaged audience, offered books and calendars for sale after his talk and all attendees enjoyed light refreshments following the presentation. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who make everything run seamlessly!
Marge Hulstrunk and Russell Gatzke created the lovely centerpieces which were raffled off during the event. Judy Snow took the photo of one of Marge’s whimsical arrangements, love all the detail, right down to the tiny little newspaper on the garden bench! Another arrangement was captured by Lisa Bencivengo, including a tiny birdbath, stepping stone path and garden gate. The photo of Judy Snow, Rob Cardillo and Kerry Mellot from Mendham Capital Management, was taken by Member Debby Juterbock. Thank you all.
Blackburn 2025 Centerpieces
Blackburn 2025 Centerpieces
Blackburn 2025 Centerpieces
Blackburn 2025 Centerpieces
Blackburn 2025 Judy Snow, Rob Cardillo and Kerry Mellot
Blackburn 2025 Judy Snow, Rob Cardillo and Kerry Mellot
