What is this plant?
“What is this plant???” is a question our Horticultural staff hears daily. And we love telling you! We keep careful records of what is planted in our gardens, but we haven’t quite been able to share that wealth of knowledge with everyone yet. Until now.
The Last of the Day Lilies
Photo of Hemerocallis “Chicago Apache”, a shining scarlet Daylily in the Fort Point Channel Parks.
Late Summer Native Blooms
Eye catching this week
One Good Elm Deserves Another
A Valley Forge Elm Tree was installed in the southern North End Park this week. This is meant as a companion to the big Elm in the northern North End Park.
North End in Bloom
An amazing display of roses and hydrangea in bloom in the North End planting bed on the north side of Sudbury Street.
The Lush and The Subtle
On the Greenway, we are passionate about Peonies. Full, decadent, soft, layered, luscious, and wonderful; this is their time in the spotlight.
Flowers: Full, Fast, and Fertile
Wow! It is spring without a doubt. This a wonderful time to take a stroll through the Parks; wake up in the morning with a mind clearing walk, enjoy lunch with a sandwich in hand, or unwind in the early, getting lighter/later evenings – all while taking in the fast changing displays of bulbs and […]
April Fools! Chilly Blossoms on the Greenway
April Fools! You thought the cold weather was finished? While I am ready to get my winter gear out of the closet again, and have been pulling my hat low over my ears, the trees, shrubs and plants on the Greenway are not so fooled. They are pressing ahead – emerging from the ground, swelling […]
What’s in Bloom: It’s Started – Delicate Beginnings on The Greenway
The very first signs of new growth and spring awakening are here. The pussy willows on the Salix bebbiana, Bebb’s Willow, near the Harbor Islands Pavilion, are starting to bloom and, with this cooler weather, should be around for the next few weeks. The Snowdrops, Galanthus nivilus, always the very first bulbs to push through […]
We Have Snow!
While people are adjusting to the addition of SNOW in the city and on the Greenway, the plants are on autopilot and letting the weather and temperatures guide them. For visitors, the snow adds a clear, clean backdrop to the plants, emphasizing the profile of dark stalks and highlighting the colors of stems and branches. The […]
Oh! That Exfoliating Bark!
Oh that exfoliating bark! Winter interest continued. Whether it is dry, cold, bright and sunny or gray, muted, frosty and snowy, the bark on the trees can’t help itself. It stands out in the sparseness of winter, and the best bark of all is the exfoliating bark. It’s rolled, peeling, curled edges; it’s patterned blotches […]
Spring Planning for North End Parks
The parks may be sleeping for the winter, but our Horticulture staff is busy planning for the vibrant spring that awaits. As part of the overall effort to continue caring for and improving upon the Greenway’s landscapes and plant collections, this Spring the Conservancy’s Horticulture staff will oversee beautification efforts in the North End Parks.
What’s in Bloom: Winter Interest
I wish I had been in town for the first snow of the season. How exciting to grab the camera, early, and take pictures of ice and snow covered branches, leaves and stems. While I wait patiently for another gentle snow (with perfect timing for a good commute and no severe damage) I am walking […]
What’s In Bloom
I find great delight in the surprise of a brilliant flash of red, the crisp lines of twigs swollen with next year’s leaf buds, and the soft, antler-like show of Magnolia flower buds.
What’s in Bloom
The look on the Greenway has changed dramatically in the last 4 weeks. The perennials, shrubs and trees are storing food, slowing down and readying themselves for winter. You may be doing the same – a brisk walk through the parks is an excellent way to shake off the onset of winter and our extra […]
What’s In Bloom
Late fall blooms and ornamental grasses liven up the Greenway.
What’s in Bloom
Fall blooms are unique and can be subtle.
What’s in Bloom
Roses, cool colors, textures and fruits are showing throughout the Greenway as summer cools.
What’s In Bloom
August is always one of our showiest months of flowers on the Greenway. From dinner plate-sized Hibiscus to aromatic Mountain Mint, we’ve got a flower for every style and predilection.
What’s In Bloom
In late June we observed a very exciting and unique horticultural event: the first flowering of our Eastern Prickly Pear! The Eastern Prickly Pear is a member of the cactus family, and is native to Massachusetts. These plants are listed as endangered, and we have enjoyed introducing them into the park and observing how well they have survived in our urban public space.
What’s in Bloom
Our organically maintained landscape provides shelter and food for many organisms. We have observed a plethora of pollinators enjoying our plant material already this year, and we have also encountered our fair share of pests and disease, but we have been pleased to see evidence of our cultivated environment working to protect itself. Our commitment to organic land care has given us a great appreciation for beneficial insects.
What’s in Bloom
Of our most perennially popular plants, the genus Allium stands out as a public favorite in the Fort Point Channel Parks. We currently have nine unique varieties of these marvelous bulbs, all varying in size, shape, or color. Here is a guide to our many Allium, see how many you can spot in the parks!
What’s In Bloom
The Greenway, like many other parks and gardens, suffered a bit of disappointment after the chilling temperatures earlier this week. While fruit growers brace themselves against the possibility of devastating crop losses, ornamental horticulturists are lamenting the loss of Magnolia blooms, Crocus, and Cherry blossoms, among other flowers that eagerly opened with the premature warm […]
What’s in Bloom
The next few weeks of spring will bring a burst of brightly colored blooms to the parks. Our daffodils are already blooming and the Cherry Trees are full of stunning pink flowers.
