September 22-28 - Fall Equinox

As we approach the first day of the Fall Season on Sunday, September 22, make sure to enjoy the last official days of summer.  The annuals are still in bloom, while the trees are beginning to show signs of a change in the color of the leaves. 

The following first day of fall poem seems appropriate to share.

It is the summer’s great last heat,

It is the fall’s first chill:  They meet.

by Sarah Morgan Bryan Platt

September 15-21 - Court Nine

In a continual plan to improve our Courtyard Gardens on the Medford Campus, we are just beginning improvements to Court 9. The current "quadrant" style design will stay in place, with new plantings to be installed to offer four season interest for the folks who live in the Court, as well as those who pass through on a regular basis. Debbie Lux has been hard at work transplanting existing plant material from the Court to other locations on the Campus, to make room for the new plantings.  Keep an eye on this Court over the next few weeks and you'll enjoy seeing this new area designed by interns from the Morris Arboretum unfold. 

The attached photo is a work in progress shot!

September 8 - 14 - Seven Son Flower Tree

Native to China, the Seven Son Flower Tree is just coming into bloom in Court 20 on the Medford Campus.  This tree thrives in either full sun or partial shade, and has found a lovely home in Court 20.   In addition, it has no serious disease or insect problems. This multi-stem tree grows 15-20 feet in height. Its fragrant white blooms appear in August, lasting for several weeks. These are replaced with pink calyxes and reddish-purple fruit that last through the fall.  You'll be sure to enjoy this end of summer bloom.