We’re on the downhill side of fall foliage at Middlebury now, but here’s some pictures while it lasts.
Archive for the ‘Blooms’ Category
Fall Foliage Pictures
October 18th, 2009 by Tim Parsons
Witch Hazel
October 14th, 2009 by Tim ParsonsI fear this may be the last post this year about things in bloom. I was trekking across a tiny dusting of snow on top of Mt. Abe on Monday after all. There are plenty of things in bloom: asters, Japanese Anemone, still some Black Eyed Susan. But I’m writing about a tree, of sorts, Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana.
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Witch Hazel in Bloom
Scholar Tree
August 15th, 2009 by Tim Parsons
There is a great tree in bloom right now, I suggest dropping everything to go see. It’s the class tree for the class of 1940, planted in front of the Emma Willard House (Admissions). Called a Pagoda Tree, Chinese Scholar Tree, Japanese Pagodatree, the latin name I learned in school was Sophora japonica, but I’ve just learned this has changed to Styphnolobium japonicum. (You’re on your own for pronunciation there) The creamy white flowers are similar to our ubiquitous Black Locust, or to the great Yellowwood. (more…)
Black Eyed Susan
August 11th, 2009 by Tim Parsons
Surprisingly, nobody has said anything yet. Look all around on campus, in all the new plantings, and you’ll see Black Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’. I’m waiting for the question, What’s with all these Black Eyed Susans anyway? (more…)
Littleleaf Linden
July 2nd, 2009 by Tim ParsonsAnother tree is in bloom right now, it’s that sweet smell you probably get a hint of once in a while. It’s Littleleaf Linden, Tillia cordata, related to our native Basswood, Tillia americana. Here’s a picture of the bloom.
We’re home to the state’s largest Littleleaf Linden, by Warner Science.
Tuliptree
June 22nd, 2009 by Tim ParsonsTwice today people came up to me, (speaking English, they were staff, not Language School)(I took Russian in Prep School, forgotten most of it), asking what these particular trees were in bloom on campus. Liriodendron tulipifera, Tuliptree, is flowering all over campus right now.
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Roses
June 18th, 2009 by Tim ParsonsIt must be the middle of June, the roses are in bloom. Go look at the split rail fence next to Bowker House. No, I have no idea what kind of rose it is, but the whole crew here sure likes them.
Across the way at Bowker Barn are some pink ones, planted last year. I know which ones those are, it’s a hardy climber called William Baffin.
White Fringetree
June 12th, 2009 by Tim ParsonsYes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, after all, it’s snowing in June. 
Yeah, Lilacs are nice, and the Bridalwreath Spirea was nice for the 3 days it bloomed this spring, but, oh, to have something spectacular bloom in June, when everyone and everything is a little more relaxed, the crazy spring fever starting to abate, now that’s a shrub worth talking about. (more…)
Pagoda Dogwood
May 29th, 2009 by Tim ParsonsThere is another, better Dogwood in bloom right now on campus, a native. Pagoda Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia. 
There are a bunch planted by Starr/Axinn, and one nice one next to Old Chapel. I’ve got a great one at my house, read on… (more…)
Doublefile Viburnum
May 24th, 2009 by Tim ParsonsWe’ve got another plant in bloom on campus, and this one is worth driving past on your way to work. In front of Carr Hall, look for its large white blooms on a large shrub. For you plant geeks out there, it’s a Doublefile Viburnum, Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum.
