Tree of the Year

From time to time, a tree will flower with extraordinary abundance. This year, the three dovetrees (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana) at the Arboretum, growing near the Mercury Loggia and the Log Cabin, flowered with an intensity that surpassed any year prior.

The dovetree is rich in lore and history. It was first discovered in China in 1869 by the French missionary Armand David. Though known by reputation, the tree remained rare in the western world. In 1899, Sir Harry Vietch of the famed English Vietch Nursery, commissioned a young recent Kew graduate, Ernest Henry Wilson, to go to China to collect seeds of the dovetree. After much effort, Wilson not only succeeded in collecting seeds, but also went on to become a famed plant explorer, collecting and documenting more than 1,000 Chinese species, (some of which he shared with the Morrises’ fledgling arboretum). It was the search for the fabled dovetree, however, that first inspired his efforts in China.

The Arboretum’s largest dovetree is a multi-stem specimen just above the Mercury Loggia. This tree was acquired in 1954 as a cutting from Clement E. Newbold’s estate, Crosswicks, in Jenkintown. It “died” and was cut to the ground in 1984 and a young replacement was planted nearby. Amazingly, the dead plant re-sprouted vigorously the following year, rejoining the newly planted specimen in a cluster.

Dovetrees can take more than 10 years to reach flowering maturity, and many more years to flower heavily and reliably. The trees at the Arboretum usually bloom around the time of the Plant Sale in early May. In recent years, the dovetrees have all flowered reliably, but this past spring produced the heaviest flower set previously seen at the Arboretum on a dovetree.

 In his 1929 book, China – Mother of Gardens, Wilson wrote, “To my mind Davidia involucrata is the most interesting and beautiful of all trees in the north temperate flora.” After observing this year’s Davidia display, it is easy to understand his enthusiasm!

Article and photos contributed by Paul Meyer, The F. Otto Haas Executive Director, Morris Arboretum

Article and photos contributed by Paul Meyer, The F. Otto Haas Executive Director, Morris Arboretum

The Right Plant in the Right Place

Hostas (several varieties pictured behind bench) thrive in partial shade.

  

Astilbe

Coleus

Does all the fresh new growth and color of spring have you inspired to plant something?

Whether you are creating a new garden or want to add additional plants to an existing one keep in mind if the place is right for the plant. We all have our favorites and want them in our gardens, however we can be very disappointed in the results if not planted in the proper environment it requires. Most of us know about full sun, part shade or full shade, but many plants love hot dry conditions or kept cool and moist or hate wet feet. When shopping for plants know where you plan to plant them and the conditions of the area.


Color for Shade
Colorful plants in shady spots are always difficult. Try hosta, which comes in blues, greens and stripes. Coleus is a wonderful plant for color in a shady spot and lots of variety. Try the large Kong coleus for a dramatic effect. Astilbe is an old favorite that thrives in partial shade and packs a colorful punch.


The Right Plant in the Right Place will help you have the garden you dream of become a reality. Happy planting!


Pick up the perfect plants for your backyard at our Annual Plant Sale, May 8 (Members Only) and 9 (Public). Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer all your garden questions!



Article contributed by Susan J. Choma, Certified Master Gardener

A Spring Evening of Brew Sampling!

Morris Arboretum has joined up with Weyerbacher Brewing Company for an awesome spring evening of beer tasting!  

We'll sample five beers that represent the breadth of styles and richness in flavor the brewery has to offer. Enjoy and learn more about their wildly popular and award-winning Belgian-style tripel, Merry Monks. Then take this unique opportunity to be among the first to try a brand new, soon to be released, tart style beer. These brews will be paired with complementary food designed to play off of the flavors of the beer, from refreshingly light to full-bodied and complex. Bring your friends and explore a world of unique and exciting beer!

Beer Tasting at Morris Arboretum

Wednesday, May 20

6:30 - 8:30pm

Register Now!

Natural Fashionista: Gowns Inspired by Spring Blooms

We recently spotted some very familiar sights in unfamiliar territory: a high-fashion shop in Center City. We're excited to see Philadelphia-headquartered Anthropologie rolling out some fabulous dress designs inspired by some of our favorite blooming trees - cherries and magnolias! Check it out...

Magnolia Grove Gown, Anthropologie

Cherry Blossom Gown, Anthropologie

Sakura Blossoms Gown, Anthropologie

Weekend Picks: Enjoy the Height of Spring

Morris Arboretum is bursting with spring blooms. From strength training to a leisurely stroll, we've got a variety of ways to enjoy the scenes.

• Friday, April 24 - Get Outside with Stroller Strides®!

  10:00 - 11:00am; Registration and payment required. 
  Stroller Strides® is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies - it includes power walking, strength-training intervals, and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller, and the environment. Taught by a certified and specially trained instructor, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser.

• Saturday, April 25 - Arbor Day Family Day  

  11:00am - 3:00pm; Free with garden admission, takes place throughout the garden.
  Branch out as a naturalist and dig into learning about trees. Design a tree house, make a “tree map” with five different types of trees, create a street landscape with trees, learn how to “read” the life of a tree, and shadow an arborist to learn what’s involved in caring for trees.

• Sunday, April 26 - Enjoy the Magnificent Trees of Spring 

  Throughout the garden. Come see the diversity of our ornamental trees in bloom. A stunning array of cherries, magnolias, and dogwoods are now flowering.

Green Roof Springs to Life

Photo: Louise Clarke

With winter's snow at last melted, it is time to cut back grasses and other  foliage on the Arboretum's intensive green roof at Bloomfield Farm. Pictured is Anna Bower, the Hay Honey Farm Natural Lands intern, using a Japanese rice sickle to trim last year's little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) prior to new growth.  The rice sickle is a lightweight, ultra sharp tool with a curved stainless steel blade ideal for cutting thin, brittle grass stems. As the sickle is not suited to dense, woody material, pruning shears are used to cut back other plants such as Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Yarrow (Achillea millifolium).
With full sun and a southern exposure, it won't be long before the green roof sports new spring growth.

A good time to see the eco-roof is during the annual plant sale in May, click here for details.

Author: Louise Clarke, Bloomfield Farm Section Leader

Weekend Picks: Stickworks & Sunshine

Looking for something new and interesting to do this weekend? We've got some great ideas to get you out in the springtime sunshine!

Friday, April 3

Artists in the Garden Exhibit
This exhibition features artwork by students, alumni and faculty of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), held in conjunction with the PAFA exhibition, Artists in the Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 1887 – 1920, February 13 – May 24, 2015.
Free with garden admission, free for Morris Arboretum and PAFA Members.

Pictured: Bill Hansen; Garden 9, Inkjet Pigment Print, 2012

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Saturday, April 4

Patrick Dougherty Stickwork Grand Opening!
Come be among the first to view the newest sculpture created by internationally renowned artist Patrick Dougherty. Designed and built on-site this artwork is composed entirely of locally gathered natural materials.
All day | Free with garden admission.

Kids’ Discovery Series: Calling Crafty Artists! 
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Patrick Dougherty’s magnificent creation. Come and design your own eco-friendly structure using all things from nature including vines, twigs, branches, and leaves. Happening at the lawn across from rose garden entrance.
11:00am - 3:00pm | Free with garden admission.

Photo: Susan Crane

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Sunday, April 5

Take a Guided Tour
Each tour is custom designed depending on the interests of attendees. First-time visitors may want a general tour of the Arboretum. Returning visitors may wish to learn more about our sculpture or big trees. If each attendee has a different interest, the guides will try to incorporate them all. The Arboretum is in your hands.
2:00 - 3:00pm | Free with garden admission.

Spring Tasks: Prune Forsythia

As the forsythia finishes its bloom in mid-to-late April, it is a good time for major renovation pruning. If it is completely overgrown, it is OK to cut it completely to the ground.  It will quickly re-sprout, in time to set buds later in the summer for next springs flowers.

If less drastic measures are needed, cut 1/3 to 1/2 of the branches to the ground, to encourage regeneration. Also, lightly cut back remaining branches for form.

Avoid shearing forsythia and encourage an open natural form.

Photo: Judy Miller

Photo: Judy Miller

Photo: Judy Miller

Magnificent Magnolias

Morris Arboretum has 166 magnolia plants representing 79 different kinds of magnolias planted in the public garden (35 additional plants which include 7 additional kinds of magnolias are on the Bloomfield Farm side).

Interested in adding magnolias to your garden? The start of April is a good time to select and plant magnolias. A favorite variety is a butter-yellow flowering variety called Magnolia Elizabeth. This relatively new hybrid does best in full sun but tolerates light shade. It grows fast and will eventually become a big shade tree. Other brighter yellow forms will soon be coming on the market but the paler forms combine better with the other pink and lavender magnolias.

Magnolia Elizabeth was bred to bloom later than most magnolias and therefore is more likely to miss a late frost which sometimes kills the flowers.

Magnolias are available from better garden centers and from specialty mail order nurseries.

Photo: Paul Meyer

Photo: Judy Miller

Photo: Judy Miller

Spring Tasks: Dividing Perennials

Late March is a good time to divide perennials like Chrysanthemums, daisies, black-eyed susans and Daylilies.

Why divide plants? 
Dividing perennials serves to rejuvenate the mother plant and provides more for your garden and for friends.

How to Divide
    •    
It's important to dig carefully with a digging fork.
    •    Lift and gently shake
   
    •    Using the fork, insert through the center of the clump.
    •    Take a second fork and insert it back to back with the first and pry the clump apart.  For larger clumps repeat.


Replanting
    •    Replant what you need and give a friend the rest!
    •    When replanting, work the soil first and plant at the same level that it was before lifting.

Some perennials like daisies and lambs ear require division every 2-3 years or they loose vigor and decline.

5 Heralds of Spring

Happy First Day of Spring!
Signs of the season are popping up everywhere around the Arboretum. Here are a few of our favorite surefire signs of spring. How many have you spotted?

1. Crocus tommasinianus (crocus) and Galanthus (snow drops)

Photo: Paul Meyer

2. Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite)

Photo: Paul Meyer

 3. Robins

Photo: Susan Marshall

4. Hellebores

Photo: Paul Meyer

5.  Willows

Photo: Paul Meyer

Gardeners, start your seeds!

The snow is melting, and even though it's too wet to work in the garden soil, it's time for gardeners to sow seeds indoors. Get a jump start on the growing season by sowing now.  

Before you start, here are some good things to know:

• Our region's (mid-atlantic) last frost date is  approximately May 15, so read your seed packets to determine when to start your seeds. Check the Farmer's Almanac for your region's last frost date.
  
• Some seeds are better sown directly into the soil, like radishes, but many others will appreciate the head start indoors like tomatoes and peppers. Try this handy growing calculator to learn more about timing seeds.
  
• Don't forget seeds are a great way, sometimes the only way, to grow the more unusual vegetables and flowers you won't find at the local garden center or big box store. 
  
• Sowing seeds is a wonderful way to introduce children to the joys of gardening and give them an appreciation of where food comes from.  

Spring is just around the corner, sow get busy!


by Louise D. Clarke, Morris Arboretum horticulturist

Spring 'Yard Work'

by Jessamine Finch, Hay Honey Farm Endowed Natural Lands Intern

About once a month or so, the horticulture staff unites for a morning to undertake a large job made much more manageable - and enjoyable - when tackled as a group. This past Tuesday was a “project day” in the natural lands area, under the guidance of Natural Lands Horticulturist, Tracy Beerley. Having labored diligently over the winter months to remove invasive plants from Penn’s Woods and along Paper Mill Run, Tracy was able to select native tree and shrub species to fill these newly emptied spaces. The planting list included sugar maple, red maple, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and winterberry holly. The beautiful weather made for a wonderful day, and we look forward to seeing these plantings thrive and mature in the years to come.  

All work...

....and some fun, too!

Deep in the Weeds, Photography by Rob Cardillo

If you haven't stopped by the Visitor Center in a while, there is a striking new addition to the Upper Gallery you won't want to miss. Deep in the Weeds is a colorful, vibrant exhibit from Philadelphia photographer, Rob Cardillo.

Like people, plants are prone to mingling. Reaching for the sun, embracing tendrils, crossing stems, they're woven into tapestries of shifting textures and colors. In roadside weed patches, native plant communities and even well-tended garden beds, Rob Cardillo has framed nuanced gestures between twig and leaf, petal and pod, creating layered images with a photosynthetic pulse. Through his lens, we see abstract beauty in the interplay of shapes, color and light, yet the images remain fully grounded and invite us to commune with nature's silent social network.

Rob Cardillo has professionally photographed plants, gardens and the people that tend them for over twenty years.  His work appears regularly in Horticulture, Country Gardens, Organic Gardening, The New York Times and many other magazines, books and advertisements. To see Rob Cardillo’s work visit www.robcardillo.com. 

Deep in the Weeds, photography by Rob Cardillo
On display beginning February 3 -  Opening Reception March 17, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Located in the Upper Gallery at Widener Visitor Center
Free with admission.

The Philly Bees' Stake in Pollination

by Stephanie Wilson, Endowed Plant Protection Intern

This past fall, I have been running around Philadelphia with an insect net in hand, surveying the wild bees (non-honey bees) in Philadelphia. The very fact that you can grow many vegetables and flowers in the city is because wild bees are present and pollinating. But very little is known about these city slickers and how they survive such a rough habitat: pavement instead of bare ground (which they dig nests in), patches of flowers instead of rolling meadows, and competition from non-native bee species that are slipping in through our shipping ports. This is exactly what I am researching as part of a survey of the flora and fauna that the USGS is conducting.

Stephanie Wilson (L) and Bombus impatiens (Common Eastern Bumblebee) pollinating a gentian Gentiana sp. (R)

Jump-Start Your Spring Planting


"And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see

An early Spring for you and me." -Punxsutawney Phil

What better way to jump-start your garden plans than by attending one of our many Spring course offerings. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or an eager novice, there's something for everyone! Below are a few course highlights.  Click here to see our full offering of classes.

Planting Design for the Home Landscape  
with John Shandra, Registered Landscape Architect
Five Wednesdays: March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 
• 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Register Now

Topics include: site analysis, developing functional diagrams, and considerations of color, form, and texture in the garden.

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American Idols: Native Plants to Love
with Catherine Renzi, Owner, Yellow Springs Farm Native Plant Nursery
Saturday, March 16 
• 10:00a.m. - 12:00 noon 
Register Now

Learn about great native plants for your garden. They require less maintenance, do not need watering (except during establishment), chemical pesticides and fertilizers, or frequent cutting back.

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Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials 

with Kerry Ann Mendez, Garden Designer and Owner of Perennially Yours

Friday, March 22 
• 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. 
Register Now

Discover spectacular perennials for sun and shade that will brighten your landscape from spring through fall.

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Great Hardy Native Ferns

with Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture, Mt. Cuba Center
Wednesday, March 27
 • 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Register Now

Gregg will discuss native fern identification, growth habits, as well as culture, and point out the many redeeming qualities that make ferns a pleasure to grow and show in the garden.

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Rhododendrons for Your Landscape
with Karel Bernady, American Rhododendron Society 
Saturday, May 18 
• 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Register Now

In this class you will learn what a rhododendron is and how to choose plants that will do well in our area and how to care for them once they are planted.

Wetlands - high in the sky, low on the ground

Tracy Beerley, Natural Lands Horticulturist
A raptor soars overhead, high in the sky, this bird is lurking for its prey.  Low on the ground signs of spring continue to emerge.

Sakura and Katsura at Morris Arboretum

Bob Gutowski, Director of Public Programs

Sakura, cherry blossom viewing, is a Japanese cultural tradition that has taken hold at the Morris Arboretum.  For me it starts with Prunus mume, Japanese Apricot, already in bloom near the Garden Railroad.  It carries a fine fragrance.  I heard it was in bloom today and took a walk after work to get acquainted with this new tree in the collection.

Prunus mume 'Shiro-Naniwa', Japanese Apricot, 2003-005-B

The Katsuratree, Cercidiphyllum japonicum,  is also putting on a fine show of flowering, although without petals.  Katsura are dioecious, having male and female trees.  This is a male.



















See more photos from March 22, and post your own on Flickr:  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/submit_pictures.shtml

Lampyridae Live at Morris Arboretum

Bob Gutowski, Director of Public Programs
Predaceous, bioluminescent lavrvae lurk beneath the yellow-flowered dogwood, magnificent magnolias and narcissus multitudes on the first day of Spring.   Lamprydiae thrive at the Morris Arboretum.  You have seen them as adults, nocturnal summer fliers - the fireflies.  

  

I found this creature under a large hemlock (Tsuga canadense) in the collection.  It measured nearly one inch, had six legs and eleven segments.  I sent pictures to my "go to" source for insect ID http://www.bugguide.net/. A quick reponse told me it is an unidentified firefly (Lampridae) larvae.
About three dozen firefly species occur in Pennsylvania, with at least a few here at the Morris Arboretum. Perhaps this is the larvae of the state insect of Pennsylvania, Photuris pennsylvanica. 


I found lots of good Firefly information on Wikipedia:

... Fireflies hibernate over winter during the larval stage, some species for several years. Some do this by burrowing underground, while others find places on or under the bark of trees. They emerge in the spring. After several weeks of feeding, they pupate for 1 to 2.5 weeks and emerge as adults. The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other larvae, terrestrial snails, and slugs. One such species is Alecton discoidalis which is found in Cuba. Some are so specialized that they have grooved mandibles that deliver digestive fluids directly to their prey. Adult diet varies. Some are predatory, while others feed on plant pollen or nectar.

... Female Photuris fireflies are known for mimicking the mating flashes of other "lightning bugs" for the sole purpose of predation. Target males are attracted to what appears to be a suitable mate, and are then eaten. For this reason the Photuris species are sometimes referred to as "femme fatale fireflies."