November 2007
Late Fall at Buck Garden
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ
The days have gotten shorter and the temperatures much cooler but November in Somerset County Park Commission's Leonard J. Buck Garden is a spectacular scene.
The beautiful orange-red leaves of the all time favorite sugar maple, Acer saccharum, and the moody maroon, star-shaped, leaves of sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua, blanket the landscape floor.
The woodland's edges abound with showy native plants such as the Virginia sweetspire, Itea virginica, a native shrub prized for its outstanding fall color that often persists into early winter. The shagbark hickory, Carya ovata, makes a statement all its own with its shaggy strips of light gray bark and the native oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, reluctantly relinquishes a few deep purple, leathery leaves allowing a glimpse of its cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark.
The perennial blue star, Amsonia hubrectii, still shows off its brilliant gold needle-like autumn foliage and the great Solomon's seal, Polygonatum 'Variegatum', with its variegated arching branches, gracefully takes its last bow of the season.
The month of November also has its wildlife parties. Benches are located throughout the Garden so that visitors can savor nature's bounty. Watch chipmunks and squirrels scurry to gather falling acorns and hickory nuts for their winter food supply, and the birds that manage to find a fruitful haven. Come for a leisurely stroll through this naturalistic woodland setting and become aware of the many fruits, nuts, and variety of tree cones.
The rock outcroppings, the calm of the pond, and the gently flowing Moggy Brook will provide a natural backdrop of serenity.
From ablaze to bronze, November has its own charm.
- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener
**All photos by Tricia Scibilia unless credited otherwise
....................
More blooming news
Print this page:
Printer-friendly page
Click Here for Site Map | Privacy Policy | Web site developed by SHiNYMACHiNE web development