What’s in Bloom 2022
What’s in Bloom: Week of May 23, 2022
Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida ‘Aurora’, Almy Road
Deutzia, Deutzia gracillis, many locations
Leucothoe, Leucothoe sp., many locations
Bridal wreath, Spiraea xvanhouttei, several locations
Tropical hibiscus, Hibiscus sp., Fountain Ave.
(more…)Hobblebush
…We tramped for miles on a wooded walk
Where dog-hobble grew on its twisted stalk…
-Dana Gioia
Recently, while entering the higher end of Sumac Path heading down towards Consecration Dell there were several plants of Hobblebush, Viburnum lantanoides,just opening their spring flowers. These visually distinct blossoms are arranged in 4 to 6-inch-wide, circular, composite, corymbs (flat-topped flowers). Rendered showy by an outer ring of white flowers, each 1-1 ½-inch, with 5-parted bracts, these all are sterile. Their center is composed of numerous small, true reproductive flowers, of an off-white shade.
Horticulture Highlight: Willow, Salix sp.
Horticulture Highlight: Willow, Salix sp.
Willow weep for me, willow weep for me
Bend your branches green along the stream that runs to sea
-Ann Ronell
Composer/songwriter Ann Ronell (1905-1993) recounted that her 1932 popular hit song (covered by scores of recording artists since then) was originally inspired while at Radcliffe, by beautiful willows on/near campus. Before and since then, innumerable people (and wildlife) have likewise been enthralled with countless willows.
(more…)Bristlecone Pine, Pinus aristata
Up in the mountains that edge the Great Basin
it was whispered to me
by the oldest of trees.
By the Oldest of Beings
the Oldest of Trees
Bristlecone Pine….
– Gary Snyder
Many visitors to Mount Auburn, come not only to be in the here and now, but also to be conveyed to another place, perhaps across time, that includes significant, even spiritual, memories. Thoughts of loved ones often predominate, but for some, memories also may include flora, or fauna. Recently while stopping here at a Bristlecone Pine, Pinus aristata, I was vicariously, transported to yesteryear, across the United States.
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