Plants In Bloom

At the lower entrance to Prospect Hall is a group of Blackberry Lilies {Belamcanda chinensis} that have spotted orange flowers that are followed by seeds in the autumn that look like blackberries. The foliage is similar to Iris, and they are members of the Iris family. A nice spot of color that increases each year as they self-seed.

In front of the Robert Frost House is a group of Summersweet Clethra or Sweet Pepperbush {C. alnifolia} blooming with very fragrant white flower spikes. This is a great addition to the summer garden with deep green summer foliage and additional varieties are available with pink flowers, longer and larger flower spikes as well as varied amounts of compact growing habits.

In front of the Bagley House on Highland St., below the Korean Mountain Ash is a group of Bottlebrush Buckeye {Aesculus parviflora} in bloom with white flower spikes well over a foot tall. Rich green Horsechestnut foliage and a spreading habit make this one of the best summer flowering shrubs. We also have plantings on the east side of Academic Commons and on the west side of Prospect Hall.

On the west side of Boyd is a planting of Smooth Hydrangea {H. arborescens’ Grandiflora’} that has huge white flowers, this year they are having their best year since they were planted in 2003. The flowers are 10″ across and quite striking. We treat these plants as herbaceous perennials and cut them to the ground each fall.

In the island on the west side of Facilities Services is a ‘Sterling’ Silver Linden {Tilia tomentosa ‘Sterling’} that has many extremely fragrant yellow flowers. The undersides of the leaves are silver, hence the common name.

At the southwest corner of Ellen Reed is an ‘Erie’ Linden Viburnum {V. dilatatum ‘Erie’} that has clusters of white flowers 4-5″ wide. This is followed by very attractive red fruit, lustrous foliage all summer and great fall foliage, often a deep maroon that often lasts well into November. A great shrub with multiple seasons of interest.

In the lower area on the south side of Speare Hall is a Korean Mountain Ash {Sorbus alnifolia} in full bloom with clusters of whiter flowers. In the fall these are followed by coral colored fruit that can be very striking against the snow covered ground. At the rear entrance to Russell House is a Flowering Dogwood {Cornus florida} with white bracts, many of which are not fully formed. Flowering Dogwoods are not completely flower bud hardy here and we often get less than a complete show of flowers which is the case this year. However, it is still a very nice small tree with attractive foliage, red fall foliage, and red fruit {rarely}.

Flowering Dogwood {Cornus florida}

In the garden at the north end of Silver CAC by the blinking light are a few Winter Aconite {Eranthis hyemalis} blooming with one inch yellow flowers close to the ground. Their finely cut foliage follows the flowers.