What’s of Interest (a.k.a. What’s in Bloom & Where)

One of the more commonly presented questions that potential visitors ask is “When is the best time to visit Smith-Gilbert?”  Of course, what this usually means is “When is everything in bloom, the humidity low, and temperatures in the seventies?”    So, if one’s forays into the out of doors are defined by those criteria, the normal window of opportunity would be late March to, perhaps, mid-May.   

Such restrictions would cause one to miss summer perennials, fall color, and winter’s berries.  So, pray tell, what is of interest here in mid-winter?

1. The aforementioned berries on the hollies.  Although flocks of Robins and Cedar Waxwings are beginning their annual diet of those fruit, there is still much to see.  The ‘D’Or’ holly with its golden yellow berries draws constant comments from visitors.  Most of the red-berried types are very heavily fruited this winter too!
2. 

   Frosty Hackberry

   Plant forms!  Absent foliage, many of our trees and shrubs at SGG exhibit very interesting habits and bark that are normally hidden by leaves.  Heptacodium, Cork Bark Japanese Maples, ‘Green Cascade’ Hackberry, and Paperbark Maple are just a few of the many plants with their exfoliating bark and lovely forms ‘exposed’.

3. Sculpture . . . there are over thirty pieces thoughtfully positioned throughout the Gardens by our founders, Richard Smith and Dr. Robert Gilbert.  Although their positions are fixed, winter’s light, frosts, and snows create an entirely different perspective for each piece as compared to other seasons.
4. Conifers!   Most types are evergreen and many of those acquire lovely hues to their foliage induced by cooler temperatures.  As with the Rose Garden in spring and summer, this particular element of SGG merits a visit simply due their extensive presence.  The Southeast American Conifer Society thinks so too as we are one of a few select gardens in this part of the world to be worthy of their approval as a place to visit!
5. Seasonal confusion . . . and by that I mean that I have come to believe that the “average” of weather conditions is no more than the median of extremes.  Late fall in the Garden witnessed the earliest flowering of Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet),  Mahonias, Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), and Edworthia (Paperbush) that I’ve ever seen.  Even the Prunus mume (Flowering Apricot) completed its flowering by Christmas, a full thirty days or so ahead of ‘normal’ schedule.  But this abnormally early flowering by many “winter blooming” plants has not left a vacuum as Daffodils, Hellebores, and some of the Magnolia stellata and Magnolia soulangiana are beginning to awaken too.  My favorite, ‘Waterlily’, is at the corner of the Carriage House.  Our Witch Hazels (‘Feuerzauber’ and ‘Sandra’) are either in flower or soon will be with their orange, yellow, and burgundy strap-shaped petals.  A stunning specimen of ‘Jelena’ anchors the “Man in the Moon” sculpture by Carl Andre Davidt near the Rose Garden.  Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops) are emerging with their nodding green and white blossoms (and thus far absent any of the frozen winter precipitation associated with their common name).
6. Camellias!  With a concentration in the Palladino Camellia Garden, there are over 100 types of Japonicas, Sasanquas, and Tea types scattered throughout the grounds.  While a few have already flowered, many yet hold buds in anticipation of winter’s warm spells so they may begin their display.
7. Photography quality has become amazingly life like and much easier to perform due to improving technology.  (I was shocked to hear the other day that Kodak filed for bankruptcy).  However, while a picture may be worth a thousand words, seeing is still believing and there are sixteen acres of visual delights here at SGG.

Strolling through any garden at any point in the year will just about always reveal pleasantries that aren’t evident in other months.  No less is true of Smith-Gilbert.

Cheers!