Category: PhotoGallery

An evening stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens by members Gerry Pappalardo and Alan Sheu resulted in the following photographic record of their visit:

• Closeup of a Magnolia grandiflora cv. ‘Edith Bogue’ flower
• The pretty pink flowers of Cornus kousa cv. ‘Rutpink Scarlet Fire’
• A sweet statue in the knot garden close to the gazebo 
• A Magnolia virginiana cv. ‘Moonglow’ flower
• The gnarly trunk of Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Sons Tree), a New Jersey Champion Tree in the Four Seasons Garden

Many thanks to Gerry and Alan for sharing these photographs with us!

A few years ago I was introduced to the concept of passalong plants via a book written by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing entitled, appropriately enough, Passalong Plants. In a nutshell, the book describes a behavior practiced in southern states of sharing unusual and/or interesting plants that may no longer be available commercially, thus the passalong moniker.

Over the years, I’ve received many plants of all kinds from friends and family, not necessarily unusual, but nevertheless given by gardeners wanting to share the wealth. I’ve been gifted beautiful yellow and lavender Irises, a Hellebore, an unusually dark pink Hydrangea with blue in the center of the flower, Christmas Ferns, a Prickly Pear Cactus, old-fashioned Feverfew and Money Plant, Columbines and Hyacinths.

The wonderful thing about these passalongs is that a reminder of the giver surfaces every spring as the weather warms up and the plants break ground. When the first shoots of Feverfew, Money Plant, Columbine and Christmas Fern appeared, I thought of my Mom, who loved to garden and share her plants and knowledge with me. She’s been gone for several years now, but her plants lived on in my garden and in my heart.

The dark pink Hydrangea was a gift from a neighbor who moved away. Before leaving, she invited me to choose a plant from her garden as a parting gift. The Hydrangea was not in bloom at the time, but every year when the flowers opened, I had fond memories of Jean for the lovely plant she shared with me. We lost touch, but her gift continued giving in my garden.

The Prickly Pear Cactus was a gift from an ex-sister-in-law. Although no longer part of the family, we kept in touch and she knew I would love to have a piece of her cactus. It flourished in my garden next to a stone wall and grew larger every year, with more and more lovely yellow flowers.

The yellow and lavender Irises, Hellebore, Hyacinths, etc., were all given by dear friends and fellow gardeners, reminders of cherished friendships and a mutual love or gardening.

Although I moved and no longer toil in that garden, I am in the process of creating a whole new garden with new plants as well as new passalong plants. Gardening will always be a therapeutic endeavor for me; there is nothing quite like getting your hands dirty, toiling in the earth, creating something beautiful to nourish and watching it grow.

By Margery Ennist

We got an email with a big batch of beautiful pictures of the Arboretum taken by visitor Gail Susan Waimon and a nice message:

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view these in a gallery. Thanks for the great collection, Gail.

Visitor Shawn Allen and family sent these pictures of a turtle they encountered, along with the following note:

Nice pictures of a sizable turtle. Any knowledgable turtle-lovers out there? My web app says it’s a common snapping turtle. Is that right?

In any case, thanks to Shawn for the pictures of one of the Arboretum’s many interesting residents.

Enjoy these wonderful photographs taken at the Arboretum by Judy Snow. Please note that the annuals at the Haggerty Education Center (HEC) entrance are made possible by a grant from the Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

• Foreman Dylan planting the annuals bed in front of the HEC
• The delicate, strappy white flowers of fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• A luscious raspberry colored Peony flower (Paeonia spp)
• Star shaped, pale blue flowers of the Eastern bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) in front of the Pan herm
• The striking dark red, scented flowers of the Carolina allspice shrub (Calycanthus floridus)
• Two very different planters at the HEC entrance; don’t you just love the variety of lettuces combined with pansies?

Make time to visit the Arboretum and see all these plants for yourself!

Thank you so much Judy for these beautiful shots. 

So many lovely trees live in the gardens at the Arboretum, quietly providing shade, shelter and beauty for all who visit. Here’s just a brief sampling: A delicate, lacy, pink dogwood (Cornus florida) blooming at wood’s edge behind the tent. A pretty white dogwood (Cornus florida) doing its thing next to the parking lot. And a magnificent European Beech (Fagus sylvatica cv. Purpurea Tricolor) at the back of the arboretum grounds. The leaves on the Beech tree are gorgeous.

There are many more beautiful trees to admire and enjoy. Plan a visit soon.

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.

Thanks, Mark, for the fine view of Spring.

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!