Main Greenhouse - Cineraria & Cymbidium Orchid Display, Bromeliads, Cacti & Succulents, Gardens & Grounds - Lenten Roses, Snowdrops, Witch Hazel, Cornelian Cherry March is the most unpredictable month of the year on Long Island. The Arboretum may be covered with two feet of snow or it may be basking in the sun with temperatures in the eighties. Though conditions are usually somewhere in between these extremes, it is best to approach a visit in March with a list of alternative plans. The CAMELLIA HOUSE will look its best the last two weeks in February and the first week in March. Note especially the late blooming Camellia reticulata cv. Captain Rawes. Mr. Coe was one of the first to introduce this very special oriental plant to this country. Several of the other camellias will still be blooming as well. The permanent collections in the MAIN GREENHOUSE can be your next stop. Responding to the longer days of February, the plants are especially vibrant at this time of year. As you enter the BROMELIAD HOUSE you will see a large collection of Anthuriums with glossy dark green leaves and colorful bracts. These bracts are not true flowers, but specialized leaves that wrap half way around the tail-like structures (spodias) crowded with miniscule true flowers. The bromeliad collection occupies the other end of this house. This display, on either side of the door to the HIBISCUS HOUSE, contains both terrestrials (plants growing in the ground) and epiphytes (those growing in the air). The most colorful parts of Bromeliads, like those of Anthuriums, are also bracts; their true flowers are much less conspicuous. Turn left to enter the ORCHID HOUSE. The Moth Orchids, Phalaenopsis, on the left are a splendid sight. Our orchid collection includes many other genera and species that are blooming in March. The CACTUS AND SUCCULENT HOUSE, behind the back ORCHID HOUSE, features Rhipsalis species and Hatiora salicornioides, both epiphytic cactus, blooming on the far wall. Hoya carnosa cv. Compacta, hanging from the roof, is covered with Meissen-like flowers as fragrant as they are beautiful, and the foliage of the succulent Echeverias is especially lovely in a flush of new growth. On the other side of the PALM HOUSE you will find collections of Begonias, House Plants, and Ferns. There are many kinds of plants in each group, representing the rich variety of material that will grow under glass in this part of the world. The center of the HIBISCUS HOUSE contains our most charming seasonal display. Cineraria and Cymbidium Orchids, grown from seed by the greenhouse staff, present a preview of spring. They will remain in place until just before Easter Several varieties of economic plants are growing around the outer edges of this large house: Bananas, Coffee, Citrus, Dates, and other recent acquisitions. Decorative shrubs and small trees are interplanted with the commercial ones. Note especially the Caliandra or Powderpuff, with its bright red flowers.When the weather is fair, take a walk around the grounds.Early spring bulbs have begun to appear in areas with favorable micro-climates such as the ARBORETUM CENTER and in the in the SYNOPTIC GARDEN. These spots have higher temperatures than their surrounding areas because they are protected from the wind by walls or topography or have a greater exposure to the sun. Early in the month, look for snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, and Galanthus nivalis cv. Florepleno, a double form; also Winter Aconites, Eranthis hyemalis, small round bright yellow flowers with lacy dark green collars and Crocus, both the early species and the later Dutch hybrids. At the same time, check out the Lenten Roses, Helleborus orientalis, members of the Buttercup family with flowers that range in color from white and pink through purple. They are found in the “H” section of the SYNOPTIC GARDEN. Later on in the month, the white blooms of Scilla tubergeniana, the blue ones of Chionodoxa species and the daisy-like blue, pink, and white ones of Anemone blanda will appear in great profusion. The earliest and tiniest daffodil, Narcissus asturiensis, accompanied by the equally tiny blue Hycainthus azureus, will appear in the DWARF CONIFER GARDEN at about this time. The larger green sheaves of leaves popping up everywhere are the promise of other Narcissus to come in April and May. One deciduous shrub that also flowers in March is Cornus officinalis, a Cornelian Cherry (really Dogwood). This shrub can be found near the front of the SYNOPTIC GARDEN in the “C” section. Nearby, two other shrubs, Cornus sericea and Cornus sericea cv. Flaviramea, the Red and Yellow Twigged Dogwoods display their colorful first year branches. Farther back in the “H” section you will find the Witch Hazels blooming. Spring Witch Hazel, Hamamelis vernalis, a native plant, can have red or yellow flowers and a pungent scent. Both Chinese, Hamamelis mollis, and Japanese Witch Hazel, Hamamelis japonica, have yellow flowers as does Hamamelis x intermedia cv. Arnold Promise, the plant most commonly seen in Long Island gardens. The fragrance of Chinese Witch Hazel is legendary. One new variety is Hamamelis ‘Jelena,’ which has bright orange flowers.With its great diversity, March may require more than one visit to appreciate all that the Arboretum has to offer. It is a good month to get ready for the rich assortment of treats to come in April, May, and June.Arboretum Monthly Highlights can be found in the Visitor Center