The sunny beds flanking the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center have been planted differently this year with a “hot” combination of tropical plants, including Aechmea blanchetiana ‘Hawaii” (Bromeliad), deep red Coleus spp, bright orange Marigolds (Tagetes) and delicate Tassel Flowers (Emilia spp). It makes for a striking arrangement, especially when planted in front of the dark green hedge behind. Visit and see for yourself!
Picture credits: Margery Ennist.
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
Achmea Blanchetiana Hawaii
This is the Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s Photo Gallery. Click on the title of one of the albums below to open it where you may then browse the pictures. To receive photos regularly, sign up for our weekly email blast by clicking here.
We welcome pictures from all our friends and visitors — send any you would like to see here to webmaster@arboretumfriends.org.
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
Just a few winter images taken at the Arboretum last week. The gorgeous exfoliating bark of Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) at the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center; there used to be two of them, sadly the one on the left suffered damage during a storm and had to be removed. The fuzzy buds of the Magnolia x ‘Butterflies’ (Hybrid Magnolia) photographed against a bright blue sky. Last but not least, the Barkman Vegetable Garden sleeping under a blanket of snow. In case you’re wondering, that’s the Ficus carica (Fig Tree) all wrapped up in burlap as protection against the winter chill.
No chance to visit the Arboretum this week, but here are some photos taken of the grounds following snowfalls in past years. The herm at the end of the Holly walk wearing a jaunty snow cap; the red barn in the hollow on the left as you drive up the road to the Haggerty Education Center; the Mansion following a winter storm; the frozen pond in front of Matilda’s Cottage surrounded by snow. These timeless images are repeated over the years as the grounds are blanketed with freshly fallen snow. Schedule a visit soon, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the grounds in winter.
The annual Members Only New Year’s Party was held at the Arboretum on Sunday, January 12. Attendees were treated to an interesting and informative talk by Kristin Ace, Chairperson, Morristown Shade Tree Commission as well as an array of sweet and savory treats, hot beverages and Prosecco. The lovely table arrangements were created by Marge Hulstrunk and Russell Gatzke; The arrangements were raffled off and ten lucky winners got to take one home. Upon departure, attendees walked out to the parking lot down the festively lit walkway and were treated to a dramatic skyscape.
A visit during Monday’s snowy weather, was chilly but quiet, lovely and relaxing. A curious Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) flitting about in the shrubbery at the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center, practically begged me to take its photograph! The dried flowers on a Hydrangea paniculata cv. Zwijnenburg (Limelight Panicle Hydrangea) were extra pretty with a light coating of snow as were the buds on the Pieris japonica cv. Valley Rose (Japanese Pieris). The lightly falling snow covered everything with delicate white snowflakes, from the branches of the Cedrus deodara cv. Snow Sprite (Himalayan Cedar) to the Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar), everything looked as if it had received a dusting of powdered sugar.
In Jenny Rose Carey’s newsletter this week, she posted the following quote from Marion Henderson’s book, Pot-Pourri:
“The year drips its life slowly away from naked trees where rain hangs in crystal drops. The days are short and seem bereft of light. Yet there are times when winter’s beauty cannot be denied and trees in their dark tracery are etched against the cold blue sky. If the sun shines, the world of nature, sleeping, seems to stir and almost to wake and live again.”
Ms. Henderson’s words reminded me of a recent trip to the Arboretum on a grey, rainy day, when I snapped the following photographs. The bare branches of Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Sons Tree) reaching up against a slate grey sky presenting a beauty not seen when the tree is leaf covered. The vibrant red berries of Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ (Winterberry Holly) dripping with rain drops providing a bright spot in the garden on a dreary day. No sun appeared during my visit, but I was struck by the beauty of various plants in close proximity to one another: a Blue Spruce in front of a large clump of dry ornamental grasses, the delicate branches of a tree in front of a dark green Spruce tree, all coming together in a mix of shape, color, texture, size to create a beautiful winter vignette.
Regular contributor, Elizabeth Brannins, sent me a nice email along with some beautiful pictures from last week. Thanks, Elizabeth, and best wishes for the holidays to you as well.
I stopped by the arboretum last Thursday, the coldest, windiest day! . I wanted to share the “Beauty of December” photos I took. I wish you and everyone who keeps the Arboretum beautiful through all the seasons a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! !! My visits bring me so much Joy! Flowers in December!! 🙂
A recent visit to the Arboretum was full of discoveries, among them a large Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper Bush) by the back door to the Haggerty Education Center, chock full of buds ready to open in the coming weeks; a small clump of Galanthus (Snowdrops) quietly blooming behind a rock next to the fish pond in front of Matilda’s Cottage; a Chrysanthemum cv. ‘Sheffield Pink’ (Pink Daisy Mum) in full bloom, graciously hosting a visitor. The gardens are quieter now and the beauty more subtle, but it is there, even in December.
The calendar says December, and the weather agrees, but in spite of this, there is still some lovely fall color at the Arboretum. The columnar American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua cv. Slender Silhouette) next to the parking lot, is stubbornly hanging on to its colorful orange and gold star shaped leaves, a lovely contrast against the clear blue sky. The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) next to the Haggerty Education Center presents a pretty picture with the rusty red leaves providing a nice backdrop for the dried, creamy white flower heads. Last, but certainly not least, are the brilliant red compound leaves of Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei) making a brilliant statement in the late fall garden.
It may be chilly, but bundle up and take a walk around the grounds to see what Mother Nature has to offer.
Morris County Park Commission staff were very busy this week planting hundreds of bulbs in the two raised beds at the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center. Many different types of bulbs were planted, some common and others rare. Once the blooms fade, the bulbs will be replanted around the Arboretum’s property to give them a chance to naturalize over the years.
Over $4,500 was given to the Park Commission by the Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum for this annual planting. Your Membership dollars at work!!!
Frequent contributor, Elizabeth Brannin, sent a batch of Beautiful Autumn pictures with this accompanying message:
I was at the arboretum last week and had to share the beauty I saw! I spent a beautiful warm Autumn Day walking around taking in the beauty of the season!
The warm weather extending into November is making it possible for plants to continue blooming in the Arboretum’s gardens. A lovely Rosa ‘The Poet’s Wife’ is showing off in the Heritage Rose Garden and a bright orange Eschscholzia californica “Apricot Chiffon’ (California Poppy) is doing her thing in the Gravel Garden. Meanwhile, the warm days and cool nights are contributing to foggy mornings on the Great Lawn in front of the Mansion.
Visit soon and see what treasures you can find!
Thanks to Kristin Prommel, Superintendent of Horticulture, Morris County Park Commission for these lovely shots.
This year’s Tree Symposium, held Saturday November 2, was a huge success, thanks in great part to our excellent speakers and their topics, and also to the Friends’ group of dedicated volunteers who kept things running smoothly in the background.
The whimsical table centerpieces created by Marge Hulstrunk and pictured below were raffled off at the end of the day, and nine lucky winners went home with a unique work of art! Marge also created the lovely arrangement that graced the food table.
White and pale orange captured my attention today as I strolled through the various gardens at the Arboretum. A huge, very fragrant flower on the Magnolia grandiflora cv. Edith Bogue (Southern Magnolia Cultivar), the large trumpet shaped flower on a Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet), the spidery white flower on the annual Cleome hassleriana (Spider Flower) and the light orange flower on the Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creeper Vine) climbing over the arbor leading into the Haggerty Education Center. Plan to visit soon!
A gorgeous warm, sunny day with clear blue skies and abundant white fluffy clouds floating overhead. The cottage next to the Haggerty Education Center is surrounded by many different plants and flowers. Some of the flowers blooming today: a lacy, light blue Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist), an Oakleaf Hydrangea, a spike of Stachys cv. Summer Romance (Betony) being visited by a pollen covered bee, and a bright yellow Coneflower (Echinacea).
On hand for the day were members of the North American Butterfly Association, as well as Lorette Cheswick, horiculturist and beekeeper, Jim Walker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Denville, Gail DiDomenico, a Master Gardener, popular local speaker and plant expert, and members of the Home Garden Club of Morristown. Helping out were Master Gardener volunteers, teen volunteers, and of course, members of the Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
A new batch of closeups from contributor, Steve Kanan who says, “Relaxing with the macro early Friday evening after a long week. Thank you Frelinghuysen for being there.”
Cloudy and muggy with rain in the forecast. Nevertheless, lots in bloom in the gardens. A sea of Callirhoe involucrata (Purple Poppy Mallow) gently swaying in the breeze, a tall Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein) blooming against a Blue Spruce in the background, the complex, scented flowers of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), the fluffy white flowers of Sambucus canadensis cv. Maxima (American Elderberry) and the tall, feathery, pale yellow flowers of Thalictrum flavum subspec. glaucum (Meadow Rue).
There used to be a set of stairs going up to the patio on the side of the Haggerty Education Center. Several years ago, the patio was renovated, the stairs were eliminated and new railings were installed; there is a handicapped accessible ramp to the patio, as well. The four lamp posts that were on the sides of the steps were left. The following spring, new plantings were installed where the stairs were; at first they really didn’t look like much, but as the plants became established, grew and spread, the area turned into an attractive garden visible as you come up the driveway at the Arboretum.
The plantings are a combination of Prunus laurocerasus cv. Schipkaensis, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’, Hosta sieboldiana cv. Elegans, a lovely purple variegated leaf Iris, a perennial Geranium (Wargrave Pink, perhaps?) and some Columbines. Enjoy the photos.
A bit muggy and cloudy at the Arboretum today, but we are expecting rain. As always, much to see and enjoy, such as the intricate, perfectly round seed head of an Allium flower, the beautiful, but toxic, flowers of a potato plant (Solanum tuberosum, in the Nightshade family) and a stalk of Phlomis tuberosa flowers (Jerusalem Sage, in the Mint family) working their way up the stem in groups of pretty lavender flowers.
