Tag Archives: snowdrops

Arboretum: More Signs of Spring

The snowdrops are out! We found them near the Explorers’ Garden on Bussey Hill, along the road near the sassafras, and in the marsh, poking out amongst grass and leaf litter.

Snowdrops in bloom
Snowdrops in bloom

This gorgeous variety of witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Hiltingbury’) also impressed us.

Hiltingbury witch-hazel with red petals in bloom
Hiltingbury witch-hazel (accession 598-77*A)
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Urban Nature Walk: Arnold Arboretum

On Sunday, I joined an Urban Nature Walk in the Arnold Arboretum led by Jef. Last year at this time, a few magnolias, cherries, and red maples were blooming. This year, winter still held sway with temperatures in the 30s F, a cold wind, and patches of snow hiding in shadow.

Despite the cold, we found a few plants in flower. Skunk cabbages (Symplocarpus foetidus) were popping up near the marsh.

Skunk Cabbage in bloom
Skunk cabbage in bloom

The rosegold pussy willow (Salix gracilistyla), native to East Asia, was also starting to bloom.

Rosegold pussy willow flowers
Yellow in an oval of red on a bed of cotton.

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