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Steve Kanan sent these images from a visit to the Arboretum at lunchtime yesterday. Clearly the plants are well on their way to their grandest summer display.

Thanks, Steve, for sharing the beautiful pictures.

Hazy and hot today, but the haze is due mostly to the Canadian fires’ smoke which has blown down our way. The air is thick and smells of burning … so sad to think of all the trees that are being lost to these fires.

On a happier note, the gardens at the Arboretum are progressing along and today I encountered a large Yucca recurvifolia in full bloom (Soft Leaf Yucca); it really makes a statement in the garden! A gorgeous Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes” (Variegated Kousa Dogwood) is blooming next to the parking lot; the white bracts against the variegated foliage makes for a pretty picture. Last, but not least, I encountered a garden visitor trying to hide and stay under the radar; yes, they do munch on our garden plants, but isn’t this Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern Cottontail Rabbit) adorable!

Summer has arrived, albeit unofficially, at the Arboretum. Several varieties of Baptisia are blooming in the gardens, including a lovely Baptisia cv. Pink Lemonade (Decadence® Deluxe False Indigo). A gorgeous Deutzia cv. Pink-a-Boo (Deutzia Pink-a-Boo) is in full bloom in the vicinity of the Marsh Meadow Deck. In the Nurserymen’s Garden on the walk to the Haggerty Education Center’s entrance, a Nepenthes alata (Tropical Pitcher Plant) is showing off its exotic vegetation. This plant is endemic to the Philippines, and, like all pitcher plants, it is carnivorous using its nectar to attract insects that drown in the pitcher and are digested by the plant. Drama in the garden!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Here is a new batch of photos taken at the arboretum from frequent visitor, Steve Kanan. He has done a good job of capturing late spring’s progress, including a couple of our feathered friends.

Currently in full bloom at the Whippany Road exit from the Arboretum is a gorgeous Cladrastis kentukea (Yellowwood) with its white, sweetly scented, pea-like flowers. Several Cornus kousas (Kousa Dogwood) are blooming around the property with their pointy white bracts. Last, but not least, a Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringe Tree) is full of its delicate, strappy white flowers.

There are many other white blooming shrubs and trees at the Arboretum; pay us a visit and see what you can find!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Steve Kanan sent these pictures from a visit to the Frelinghuysen last Thursday, May 18th. He particularly noted the uncommon poppies amongst the other beautiful images.

Thanks, Steve for sharing these with us.