I had the great good luck of spending Thursday afternoon in the Winterthur Garden. Low humidity, clear sky, 70 degrees – it was heaven! Wanted to write quickly tonight to assure you that there are still so many things in bloom at Winterthur – you should go visit tomorrow!
* The Quarry Garden is amazing – candelabra primroses in bloom on the quarry floor are to die for….sherberty colors of orange and pink. Spend some time on the hidden bench inside the garden, listening to the birds and soaking in the color.
* The Peony Garden is in full bloom right now, so don’t miss it. I like it early in the day when the morning light skims through the flower pedals.
* The Dove Tree near the Dorrance Gallery is just now losing its flower petals, but should still look good on Sunday. It’s over 100 years old!
* The lower March Bank is covered in fully blooming azaleas. Many of the blooms are at chest height, so one feels like you’re walking through an enormous bouquet. Where the bright color ends, you’ll find a lush carpet of ferns. My favorite spot on a hot day.

Looking from the lower March Bank towards the house.

Fern Gully – lush and green

Azaleas near Enchanted Woods

Peonies and Azaleas – what a combo!

The Peony Garden is in full bloom right now!

Plant Sale – Sunday 10a-3p!
* Azalea Woods continues its show with hundreds of azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom…you’ll be in flower heaven. The colors of the rhododendrons are amazing – from bright pink to coral to yellow. Love it!
* Don’t miss the bright rhododendrons hidden in the center of the Pinetum. Ultra saturated hues of orange and yellow.
Those were the highlights for me on Thursday. Display your membership badge, or purchase an admission ticket at the visitor center, and find your own piece of paradise
One last thing – a terrific plant sale at the museum store tomorrow (Sunday) from 10a-3p. Don’t miss it!
I rode thru today on the DE Gran Fondo. Can you tell me the name of the trees that have a lavender, tube-like blossom & are very fragrant? No leaves on these trees yet. Does that help? Thanks lv
Thanks for the question! Hope you enjoyed your ride…lucky you…that’s the only time in the entire year when one can ride through the garden. I’m pretty sure the trees you saw are Paulonia, or Empress, or Princess trees. They’re blooming now and have a tubular flower, somewhat orchid-like, in a lavender shade.