http://www.winterthur.org/pdfs/05.10.2012 bloom list.pdf

Highlights:

• Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
• Rhododendrons
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
• Columbine (Aquilegia sp.)
• Western Bleeding-heart (Dicentra formosa)
• Wild Hyacinth (Cammassia scilloides)
• Candleabra primrose (Primula japonica)
• Mock Orange (Phildelphus grandiflorus)
• Dwarf Deutzia
• Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum)
• Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus)
• Beauty Bush (Weigela)
• Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
• Purple Iris (Iris versicolor)
• Peonies (Paeonia spp.)

11:30 am, please meet at the Visitor Center Patio

H. F. du Pont corresponded with many of the rhododendron and azalea hybridizers of his time. Come see the hybrids in bloom and hear about the men who created these garden treasures.Linda Eirhart, assistant director of the garden, will share some of the delightful correspondence between du Pont and these pioneer plantsmen.

Join us for demonstrations, talks, and guided walks covering a wide range of gardening topics. These events begin at 11:30 am on Wednesdays from April through October (except August). Included with all admission tickets, members free.

Walks last 45-60 minutes. No reservations necessary. Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Walks are generally not handicap accessible due to rough and steep garden paths.

The garden is still running about three weeks ahead, so the majority of the azaleas are faded, though there are some stunning red and pink azaleas near Enchanted Woods, plus georgeous, massive rhododendrons in bloom in Azalea Woods. Best bet: the lower Peony Garden and the Quarry Garden.

If you’re a member, please display (with pride!) your membership card. If you’re not a member, please stop at the visitor center to purchase your ticket that will give you access to all Winterthur offers: a paradise garden, the wonders of the house, the garden tram tour, and the gallery exhibitions. Please consider becoming a member so you can enjoy the Winterthur Garden through all its beautiful phases.

Come to Winterthur soon, just remember that we’re closed on Mondays to guests and members. (Our horticulturists reserve Mondays for the big, messy, and sometimes dangerous jobs).

A Bank of America volunteer team led by Katie Hickey volunteered at Winterthur on Monday April 30,2012. The team installed plant “plugs” along the front pond’s edge, removed invasive plants from Clenney Run’s stream banks, and performed pruning throughout the estate. Their morning was very well-spent and well-appreciated as they helped improve and maintain the beautiful landscape at Winterthur.  Hooray for Bank of America!!!

Winterthur is truly a wonderful place.  However, as a graduate fellow in the art conservation program it is all too easy to get caught up with work and the daily routine and to forget to enjoy the beauty of the grounds.

 

 

As I was walking to my car in the greenhouse lot last Friday this hawk swooped down from the trees and literally landed right in front of me, as if commanding me to stop and observe.  I quickly pulled out my camera and a few seconds later I was joined by curator Ann Wagner who also stopped to admire this fantastic raptor.

The hawk sat there for a minute scanning its surroundings, looking for prey.  It then hopped into the bushes below it for a closer look at something before taking off again to get a new vantage point from a nearby tree.   This picture will remind me of the moment when nature interrupted my daily routine and said “stop, look around, and enjoy”.

http://www.winterthur.org/pdfs/05.04.12 number 17.pdf

Highlights include:

• Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)
• Rhododendrons (So many!)
• Peonies (At peak!)
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
• Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
• Spiraea
• Viburnum
• Lilacs (Syringa spp.)
• Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)
• Candleabra Primrose (Primula japonica) – Amazing right now!
• Weigela
• Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
• Dwarf Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’)

Love the color and texture the provide without blooms!

11:30 am, please meet at the Brown Horticulture Learning Center

Take a walk through the Peony Garden with horticulturist Michelle Stapleford. Learn the techniques we use in the care and culture of peonies.

Join us for demonstrations, talks, and guided walks covering a wide range of gardening topics. These events begin at 11:30 am on Wednesdays from April through October (except August). Included with all admission tickets, members free.

Walks last 45-60 minutes. No reservations necessary. Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Walks are generally not handicap accessible due to rough and steep garden paths.

• Azaleas and Rhododendrons all around: Peony Garden, Lower March Bank, Enchanted Woods, Azalea Woods
• Peonies opening in the Peony Garden, both tree and herbaceous types
• Spanish bluebells are fading in some spots and fully out in others
• The colorful candelabra primroses in the Quarry Garden are at peak!
• A fresh shipment of beautiful Dawn Redwoods at the museum plant shop

Sure, some of the azaleas are past their prime, but others are just opening. Plus, the rhododendrons are just starting their over-the-top voluptuous show. Spring may have come early this year, but with the colder temperatures, it is holding on nicely.

Oh yes, just so you know, we are not able to offer garden trams on Sunday, May 6 due to Point-to-Point carriage and antique auto parades through the garden. We’ll be running full-tilt on Saturday, though!  (One advantage is a nice quiet walk through the garden on Sunday, once you get past the traffic on Kennett Pike!)

Thanks to our amazing volunteers, here is the bloom list for Friday, April 25: http://www.winterthur.org/pdfs/04.25.2012 bloom list.pdf

Come to Winterthur soon, just remember that we’re closed on Mondays to public and members. (Our horticulturists reserve Mondays for the big, messy, and sometimes dangerous jobs). 

If you’re a member, please display (with pride!) your membership card. If you’re not a member, please stop at the visitor center to purchase your ticket that will give you access to all Winterthur offers: a paradise garden, the wonders of the house, the garden tram tour, and the gallery exhibitions. Please consider becoming a member so you can enjoy the Winterthur Garden through all its beautiful phases.