Nature is unpredictable and this schedule is only a guide. Bloom may vary several weeks early or late. Almost all trees and shrubs (or the best specimen when there are quantities of a particular variety) are labeled with their scientific and common names.
March
Generally: shrub garden
Specific plantings: daffodils, quince, forsythia, serviceberry
April
Generally: perennials, shrub garden
Specific plantings: daffodils, winter honeysuckles, crabapple and cherry trees, deciduous magnolias, dogwood, red and white redbud, paulownia, rugosa roses, scotchbroom, lilacs, spirea, horsechestnut, hawthorn, photinia, tulip poplar
May
Mid-to-late May is the peak of rose bloom.
Generally: roses, herbs, perennials, shrub garden
Specific plantings: peonies, horsechestnut, catalpa, chinese dogwood, iris, yellowwood
June
First week of June is the peak of the bird population.
Late June through July is the peak of bloom of the Lotus Pond.
Generally: roses, herbs, water garden, shrub garden, wildflowers
Specific plantings: catalpa, sourwood, goldenraintrees, magnolia
July
Late June through July is the peak of bloom of the Lotus Pond.
Generally: roses, herbs, butterfly plants, water garden, shrub garden
Specific plantings: sophora and linden trees, daylilies
August
Early August is the peak of the butterfly population.
Generally: roses, herbs, butterfly plants, water garden, shrub garden
September
Generally: roses, herbs, butterfly plants, shrub garden
October
Second and third weeks of October are the peak of fall color for sugar maples.
Generally: roses, butterfly plants, fall color in shrub garden
November, December, January & February
Generally: berried plants in shrub garden
Specific plantings: hollies, witchhazels
Accurate as of June 1, 2002.
