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In this last week of 2023, several plants are blooming in the patio between Matilda’s Cottage and the Haggerty Education Center. The delicate, strappy, reddish flowers of Hamamelis vernalis ‘Red Imp’ (Witch Hazel) are beginning their annual show, the Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) on the fence is just beginning to open its lemon yellow flowers and the Edgeworthia chrysantha shrub (Paper Bush) buds are ready to burst into bloom. It’s such a treat to see flowers in the December gardens!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Katharine Boyle visited the Arboretum on December 23rd and sent the following message along with these beautiful pictures:

“The arboretum is such a gift that I enjoy all year round. Thank you and to the staff who each give it so much care. Enclosed are some images from my brief visit yesterday. 

Wishing you all and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday! “

The holiday spirit is alive and well in the form of decorations on the various buildings at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. The Mansion sports a large wreath and evergreen garlands above the main entrance; the Carriage House doors are decorated with a lovely wreath courtesy of the Home Garden Club of Morristown; and the entrance to the Haggerty Education Center is once again displaying the Peace on Earth star and festive garland.

Best wishes from the Friends for a warm, healthy and very Happy Holiday season with family and friends!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Friends’ president, Heather Emelander, along with stylists and garden designers from Somerset, Hunterdon, and Union Counties, collaborated on the creation of two botanical mannequins, photos below.

Naming themselves the Sylvaine Sisters (sisters of the forest), Diane Genco, Elaine Junguenet, Chris Endriss and Heather Emelander named their creations Tatiana (Queen of the Fairies in Midsummer NIght’s Dream) and Diana (Goddess of the Forest). Visit them in the Mansion at the Festival of Trees. For more information call 973 326-7601.

The color yellow was highly visible at the Arboretum today, from the festive and colorful urns decorated with yellow Quince fruits, Beautyberry vines, Magnolia leaves, Holly leaves and yellow berries, to the tiny, delicate yellow flower umbels of Zizia aurea (Golden Alexander) and, believe it or not, a yellow/apricot colored Rosa cv. Auswest Carding Mill (English Shrub Rose). The garden never ceases to amaze!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A brief, but impressive squall greeted me upon arrival at the Arboretum today, blustery, snow whipping around and chilly. A still green fern’s fronds were decorated with tiny flecks of snow and the grasses at the entrance to the carriage house were swaying in the breeze against a snowy background. Surprisingly, a Doublefile viburnum ‘Pink Beauty’ was actually in bloom! I’m not sure what conditions prompted this behavior in late November … At any rate, minutes later the squall had spent itself and the sun reappeared. Mother Nature at her most surprising!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.