The Dahlia Show comes to Planting Fields in early
fall. Over 1,000 blooms fill the BURNS HORTICULTURAL CENTER, in
addition to the PAUL CALLAHAN DAHLIA GARDEN, which has a spectacular
display of color. If you missed the festivities this year, be sure
to set aside the time next year to enjoy them. Meanwhile, visit
the seasonal display of Chrysanthemums in and around the MAIN
GREENHOUSE,
as well as the resident collections of Orchids, Bromeliads, Begonias,
Cactus and Succulents, Ferns and Tropical Plants. Then go outside
for a walk in the crisp autumn air. |
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Fall lingers well into November at Planting Fields.
The trees start turning late in August with Red Maple, Acer rubrum
and the Dogwoods, Cornus kousa and Cornus florida, leading the way.
On the lawn behind the MANOR HOUSE several Tupelos, Nyssa sylvatica,
soon follow. By October, much of the Arboretum is ablaze with gold
and red. Note especially the Golden Larch, Pseudolarix amabilis,
(on the CONIFER TRAIL and opposite the AZALEA
WALK on the MAIN DRIVE),
the Sorrel Trees, Oxydendrum arboreum (in the SYNOPTIC
GARDEN and
on the edge of the Parking Lot) and our very showy Maple Collection
(in the field opposite the ROSE ARBOR on the MAIN
DRIVE).
Many shrubs and trees in the SYNOPTIC GARDEN still have colorful
leaves and fruit. As you wander through the alphabet (the garden
is arranged alphabetically by scientificname) you will find evergreen Azaleas with red leaves, Barberries, Berberis
species, and the Cotoneasters with red fruit, Hollies, Ilex species, with
red, yellow, and blue fruit, and Junipers, Juniperus species, with silver
gray. The leaves on Rhododendron P.J.M. are a beautiful mahogany, and across
the path, both fruit and leaves of the |
Sumacs have turned wonderful shades
of red and purple. Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina, Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra,
and Shiny sumac, Rhus coppalia are all unique in their coloring.
Evergreens become more visible
as the foliage fades from the deciduous trees and shrubs. The three
species of cedars that grow at Planting Fields are of special interest
this month when the cone-like strobili (male flowers) on the lower
branches send forth clouds of pollen at the slightest touch. The
pollen then rises to pollinate the small green (female) cones on
the upper branches. In the following year, perched upright, the
fertilized cone grows to mature size. It takes an additional year
for it to ripen and release its seeds. The cones do not drop to
the ground whole as do those of many other evergreens. Instead
the tip falls away and the seed and scales scatter, leaving only
the center core to fall intact. Many
cone scales can be seen on the ground under the Atlas Cedar, Cedrus
atlantica, in front of COE HALL. This is the largest tree of its
kind on Long Island. Nearby is a large Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani.
Kashmir Deodar Cedars,
Cedrus deodora cv. Kashmir, can be found in the NORTH BORDER and
near the pool in the HEATHER GARDEN.
A stately Blue Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica cv. Glauca, is also
located near the NORTH BORDER, on the lawn northwest
of COE HALL. The Atlas Cedar is native to the
Atlas Mountains of North Africa, the Cedar of Lebanon is native
to Israel and Lebanon, and the Deodar Cedar is native to the Himalayas. |
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While you are enjoying the botanical displays
of fall at the arboretum, be sure to keep an eye open for birds
as well as chipmunks, squirrels, and other small animals that
are busy harvesting stores for winter.
Arboretum Highlights can be found in the
Visitor Center located at the Main Greenhouse.
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