Snowdrops on Magnolia Bend

Ok—well, we really are still in winter but for the most part you would not know.  With multiple days in the 40’s and 50’s there is lot of activity in the horticultural world.  Early flowering shrubs such as fragrant honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis) and winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) are in blossom and the snowdrops are making a show on the March Bank as well as in woodland pockets throughout the garden. 

Glancing at the long range forecast on the Old Farmer’s Almanac web page (gardeners are obsessed with weather) they predict that the month of January will be 5 degrees above normal.  For those of us that like to spend time outdoors gardening or hiking to ward off the effects of cabin fever, this is most welcome news (sorry about that snow enthusiasts!).  This weather trend has been a wonderful carry over from December where the garden saw a flurry of activity by those hoping to enjoy some time outside with friends and family and walk off a few of the cookies and candy that made their way to the winter waistline.  With a warm weekend in the forecast, the garden should be hopping yet again with walkers and more floral activity as the blossoms respond to the winter sun and spring-like temperatures. 

The sad part of this warm season tale is that Winterthur will close to the general public from January 9th through February 29th.  The upside to this tale is that if you are a member, you have access to walk the garden and grounds while we are closed…and what a treat that is.  There is nothing like the feeling of having your own “private garden” and the soulfulness of watching spring unfurl before your very eyes.  There are many magical moments in the winter garden such as seeing the early morning light illuminate the fuzzy flower buds of magnolias or the waning afternoon rays backlighting a forest of beech leaves still attached to the trees.  There is also plenty of wildlife to view from waterfowl to song birds at the feeders. Maybe your sole interest in walking the garden is keeping that New Year’s health resolution going; the miles of paths and inclines promise to deliver a good cardio-workout; that is unless you stop to look at the flowers!

So at the risk of sounding like a salesperson, if all this winter activity sounds appealing to you and you are not a member why don’t you consider becoming one?  Information about membership benefits can be found on our website, www.winterthur.org or by calling 302 888-4713.   (I get no kickbacks from this endorsement!).  I hope to see some new faces out in the garden this winter and to all the rest I look forward to seeing you in March!

A not so successful snowdrop shot

The morning light crests the hill.  The birds are singing their spring songs.  I have the garden to myself.  I take a deep breath, I bend forward. I exhale. I take a deep breath and come back to standing.  I take a deep breath and bend at the knees to a crouching position.  I breathe and stretch a little further.  I exhale and come back to standing.  No, I am not practicing yoga in the garden (though that might be nice). I am contorting my body and holding my breath to capture that perfect photo of the March Bank in its full snowdrop glory.  I wish I could say that I got the result I was looking for.  The truth is that the camera can not fully deliver the experience of seeing something in person.  I had what I thought to be the right elements in place; morning light, overcast conditions, multiple angles yet it barely captured what I was seeing.

My husband was a professional photographer in an earlier life and has provided me some tutelage along the way.  I set up the scenario of my “yoga shots” and asked him what went wrong.  He mentioned a few terms—manually opening the aperature, bracketing, f-stops—things that the average “point and shoot” photographer may not know.  Essentially it comes down to the camera’s light meter averaging out all that it was taking in—pure white, reflective flowers on a dark background. The camera “averaged to middle grey”; the end result, a mediocre picture.   He went on to sing the praises of the of the human brain; how our eyes are constantly “adjusting the light meters”, continuously sending multiple exposures to our brain and our brain seamlessly puts them together to create the perfect picture and the perfect experience. 

 I bring up my photographic failure not because I enjoy public humiliation but to emphasize that there is no replacement for the true experience.  This is becoming more and more relevant as we enter the instantaneous digital-virtual world of webcams, video, and photography and where one can “tour” a garden or museum over the computer.  It is great to be able to type in a few key words and have an image of Van Gogh’s Starry Night magically appear on the computer screen but it is no substitution for the real thing; looking closely at the brush strokes and then stepping back and seeing the image that is created and the emotion that is evoked at that moment. 

Gardens by their nature, in close alliance with sporadic weather, consistently create a certain “viewing urgency” similar to the final days of an art exhibition. Friday’s unseasonable temperatures in the 70’s pushed a lot of things into flower and a lot of things out of flower.  If you missed the large sweeps of snowdrops this year then mark it on your calendar for 2012.  If you want to see the March Bank in its “blue phase”, the period when the entire hillside transforms into a blue oasis, then plan on a visit this week and if you can swing it, visit at different times of the day.  The mood of the March Bank changes dramatically between the rising and setting of the sun. The continuous movement and intensity of the sunlight plays off of the rolling nature of the hillside, creating shadows and depth of color in some spaces while highlighting other locations.   Like the Van Gogh painting, a great amount of detail can be viewed from up close—variations in flowers and in foliage color,  but the view from afar is pure drama.  Blue is another color that is difficult to truly capture through the lens; it often can appear more purple in color than what our eyes see. I have witnessed the March Bank in this performance role for 20 years now and no two experiences are alike.  One year the effect lasted for 3 weeks, one year it hardly even made an appearance and one year I witnessed the blue at near sunset and it was electric; this is the moment where I remember the drama and emotion.  I am confident that the lens could not have captured that…

WINTERTHUR BLOOM REPORT #6   March 14, 2011 

 Weather: 50F, cloudy

Key:

•    +: Abundant        
• fbb: Flower-bud breaking
•    b: Some bloom
•   fb: Full bloom
•   pf: Petals falling/drying
•   pb: Past bloom (few remain) 

[The March Bank is now at a white-and-yellow peak.]

ENTRANCE DRIVE, LAGOON, AND PARKING AREA

• fbb   Corylopsis ‘Winterthur’ (Winter-hazel—pale yellow)

WALK FROM  PARKING AREA TO VISITOR CENTER

• +       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• b       Crocus vernus (‘Dutch’ crocus—deep purple)
• fb      Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• +       Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)     
• fb      Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witch-hazel—yellow)
• fb      Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
• fb      Pieris japonica ‘Flamingo’ (Andromeda—pink)
• b       Sarcococca hookeriana (Sweet Box—white)
• b       Scilla siberica (Squill–deep blue)

WALK FROM VISITOR CENTER TO UNDERPASS

• fb      Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb      Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• fb      Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• fb      Galanthus sp. (Snowdrop—double)
• fb      Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ (Chinese Witch-hazel—yellow)
• fb      Hamamelis vernalis (Spring Witch-hazel—orange-brown)

WALK FROM UNDERPASS TO MUSHROOM     

• b      Crocus vernus (‘Dutch’ Crocus—various colors)            
• fb     Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb     Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)         
• +      Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• b       Galanthus sp. (Snowdrop—double)
• fb      Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
• fb      Scilla mischtschenkoana (=tubergeniana; white)

AZALEA WOODS

• fb      Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• +       Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• +       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• +       Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• fb      Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
• b       Scilla siberica (Squill—deep blue)

LOWER AZALEA WOODS (Magnolia Bend to 1750 Building)

• fb      Crocus siberica (Squill—deep blue)
• +       Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• +       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• +       Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

UPPER TERRACE AND STEPS

• fb       Adonis amurensis (Amur Adonis—golden)
• pf       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• fbb     Corylopsis pauciflora (Winter-hazel—pale yellow)
• b        Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• b        Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop_
• fb       Hamamelis ‘Princeton Gold’ (Witch-hazel—yellow)
• fb       Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine—yellow)
• b        Lonicera fragrantissima (Fragrant Honeysuckle)
• fb       Pieris japonica (Andromeda—white)
• fb       Pieris japonica ‘Flamingo’ (Andromeda—pink)
• b        Sarcococca hookeriana (Sweet Box—white)   
• fb       Scilla siberica (Squill—deep blue) 

WALK FROM GLASS CORRIDOR TO REFLECTING  POOL

• b       Adonis amurensis (Amur Adonis—golden)
• +       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• b         Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• +        Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

WALK FROM FISH PONDS—THE GLADE—TO BRIDGE

• b        Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory-of-the-Snow—blue)
• fb       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• +        Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• +        Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• +        Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• +        Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake—esp. near rivulet down to stream)
• b        Scilla siberica (Squill—deep blue)

SLOPE BETWEEN SW CORNER OF AZALEA WOODS & MARCH BANK

• b        Crocus vernus (‘Dutch’ Crocus—purple, white, &c.)
• +        Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• fb       Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• +        Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)

MARCH BANK

• +        Adonis amurensis (Amur Adonis—golden)
• b        Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory-of-the-Snow—blue)
• b        Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• b        Crocus vernus (‘Dutch’ Crocus—various colors)
• +        Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• +        Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop—esp. near Japanese Maple at E end)
• +        Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• b        Galanthus sp. (Snowdrop—double)
• fb       Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
• b        Narcissus sp. (Daffodil [one clump])

MAGNOLIA BEND AND WALK ON SOUTH SIDE OF STREAM

• fb       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• +        Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• b        Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• b         Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• +        Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake

ICEWELL TERRACE

• b         Adonis amurensis (Amur Adonis—yellow)
• b         Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• b         Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)

ENCHANTED WOODS

• b        Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)  
• fb       Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• fb       Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• b        Hellebore orientalis (Lenten Rose)
• fb       Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)

QUARRY, ADJACENT WALKS, AND OUTLET STREAM

• b        Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory-of-the-Snow—blue)
• b        Cornus mas (European Dogwood-yellow)
• fbb     Cornus officinalis (Japanese Dogwood—yellow)
• b        Corydalis cheilanthifolia (Fern-leaved Corydalis—yellow)
• b        Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• b        Cyclamen albissimum (White)      
• b        Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite—yellow)
• fb      Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• fb      Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• fb      Hamamelis ‘Diane’ (Witch-hazel—red)
• b       Hellebore orientalis (Lenten Rose)
• fb      Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
• fb      Narcissus sp. (Daffodil)
• b       Narcissus sp. (Miniature Daffodil [one!])
• fb      Pieris japonica variegata (Variegated Andromeda—white)
• fb      Scilla siberica (Squill—deep blue)

SYCAMORE HILL

• b       Cornus officinalis (Japanese Dogwood—yellow)
• fb      Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop–along wall at base)

WINTERHAZEL WALK

• fbb    Corylopsis spp. (Winterhazels—pale yellow)
• b       Hellebore foetidus (Bearsfoot Lenten Rose—green)
• fb      Hellebore niger (Lenten Rose—white)
• fb      Hellebore orientalis (Lenten Rose—rose)

GARDEN WALK BETWEEN SYCAMORE AND MAGNOLIA BEND

• b       Prunus subhirtella (Autumn Cherry—light pink)
• b       Viburnum farreri (Fragrant Viburnum—pink)

WEST FRONT OF MUSEUM, STORE, & CLENNY RUN

• fb      Adonis amurensis (Amur Adonis—golden)
• fb      Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• fb      Crocus vernus  (‘Dutch’ Crocus—deep purple)
• b       Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• fb      Hamamelis intermedia (Witch-hazel [mollis x japonica]—yellow; also orange,
• fb      Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witch-hazel—yellow)                       like vernalis)
• b       Hellebore orientalis (Lenten Rose)
• fbb    Skimmia japonica (White/red [shrub nr entrance])

SUNKEN GARDEN (N of Museum Walk) & SLOPE TO WEST

• +       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)
• b        Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)
• b        Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
• b        Hellebore foetidus (Bearsfoot Lenten Rose—green)
• b        Hellebore orientalis (Lenten Rose)
• b        Scilla siberica (Squill—deep blue) 

GREENHOUSE AREA

• fb       Crocus tomasinianus (‘Tommies’—lavender)

This is a time when the horticulturist who cares for the March Bank takes a deep breath from all of the hard work in preparation for this moment (she does not “tip toe through the tulips”). However, in sections where bulbs such as snowdrops are not part of a successional planting we will divide and transplant the clumps to increase their presence in the garden. Snowdrops (Galanthus) and snowflake (Leucojum) can be divided “in the green” meaning after flower when the foliage is still present. It is recommended with most others bulbs to divide as the foliage is going dormant or in the fall. This may be the best practice but I find that I tend to divide all of my bulbs after flower as it allows me to better visualize their placement. The hastiness on my part may result in a reduction of flower the following year but it is a system that works best for me—otherwise the job may never get done. With gardening tasks we must know thyself!

[Glory-of-the-Snow today]

This afternoon Carol Long, Assistant Curator of the Garden, let me put her on the spot. I asked her to write up her prediction of when the March Bank’s famous ‘blue phase’ would reach its peak, so that we could let staff members and guests know when to expect the best display. Here is what Carol wrote:

Come out and experience the glory-of-the-snow. No, not the white stuff that covered the March Bank but the blue flowers that are making their display now. The warm weather last week hastened its appearance and the continued mild temperatures will make the blue peak by late this week. The color changes throughout the day, with richer tones in the morning and evening and also with cloud cover so visit often!

Thank you Carol. Walking through the March Bank this time of year is an almost surreal experience. The blossoms litter the ground like blue popcorn, but in some areas the flowers are so thick that they look like drifts of blue snow. I hope you will come out this weekend and see the spectacle for yourself.

[Scilla and Chionodoxa last year]

Anytime between this weekend and Easter, guests will likely see blue in some areas of the garden.  Right now, the East Terrace is blue.  Towards Easter Sunday, large areas of Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) and squill (Scilla) near the Pinetum will be blue. My best advice is to come to Wintethur weekly (or daily!) through the spring to catch every bit of beauty, peace and color.

Pick up your ticket or have your membership card scanned at the visitor center. Enjoy the day in the garden and house, then check out the spring plants and the new cafe at the museum store. Come enjoy the Winterthur Garden this spring!

Those words were written by H.F. du Pont in 1916.    That blue sheet of the March Bank is predominately Glory-of-the-snow or Chionodoxa forbesii (above), formerly known as Chionodoxa luciliae. Its blossoms are upward facing and star-shaped. The petals are joined at the base, unlike those of the squill.   The Siberian squill, Scilla siberica (below),  has nodding star-like flowers. Note that their petals are separate.  Both are easy to grow and available in the nursery trade.