October 19, 2023 Report
Fall is here, the cool temperatures bring out the sweatshirts and hot cocoa.
The foliage is really starting to change colors, and even with this past weekend’s rain many of the leaves are still hanging on:
Trees:
- Riverbirch – Lovely peeling bark in shades of cream, tan and warm browns. The leaves are turning yellow. Located across from Celebration Garden and Entry Plaza outside of Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Persimmons – Trees are not changing color at the same time, but the round orange fruits are quite lovely. Located in the main parking lot and behind the Wells Barn.
- Tulip Tree – Tulip shaped leaves are turning a warm yellow. Located by the Waterfall in the Children’s Garden.
- American Hornbeam – Brillant leaf color of oranges and reds. Located in the Children’s Garden by the Creek.
- Fringe Tree – Short trees, with bright yellow leaves. Located in the Historic Daylily Garden.
- Maples – All over the gardens and park are some of the most intriguing leaf color displays. Look in the Botanical Garden and in Franklin Park.
- Smokebush – Leaves of yellow and orange and have a carrot smell. Located in the Children’s Garden by the Wetlands.
- Tupelo – A fantastic spade shaped tree. The leaves on the sunny side are turning yellow- orange and red. A sight to behold. Located in the parking lot by the Bus loop.
Shrubs:
- Bottlebrush buckeye – Leaves are turning yellow. Located in the Children’s Garden near the mulberry (outside of the fence) and in shadow of the Palm House.
- Spirea – Small leaves turning red and purple. Located in the Children’s Garden Welcome area.
- Serviceberries – Leaves are turning warm shades of orange. Located in the Event Entry and Franklin Park.
- Witch Hazel – Features lovely colors with a current shade of yellow. Located along the Botanical Garden pathway and throughout the Children’s Garden
Perennials:
- Amsonia – The leaves are delightful shades of yellow, orange and red. Located in the North Courtyard.
Still going strong:
Trees:
- Crabapples – In the fall the fruit is much more visible. After a few frosts, these fruits are a much needed food for birds. Located all over the botanical gardens and Franklin Park.
- Silver Lindens – These 2 large trees are starting to show off with yellow leaves. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Pawpaw – Known for its fruit, its large leaves turn a pale yellow in the fall. Located in the Children’s Garden and Community Garden Campus.
- Seven- Son Tree – This late blooming tree has bracts that remain on the tree, giving it a different look in the fall. The bracts are in shades of red in the Children’s Garden, while the North Courtyard and Community Garden Campus remain green for a bit longer.
- Sassafras – Wonderful shades of red/purple. There are 3 shapes of leaves, ovate, mitten (ovate with a thumb) and an ovate with a thumb and little finger. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Flowering Dogwoods – Warm shades of red and purple. Located in the Children’s Garden and in Franklin Park.
- Sumac – Starting to turn shades of yellow and orange. This shrub has burgundy flame shaped seed heads. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Sugar Maples – Starting with shades of orange, red and yellows. With Sugar Maples, they are individuals and will color up on their own time and in their own color. No 2 are alike. Located in Franklin Park and botanical gardens.
Shrubs:
- Sweetspire – This shrub is starting to color up with leaves of apricot. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Blackhaw Viburnum – This large shrub is turning red to dark purple. The berries are a lovely shade of red that darkens to blue. Located along the wall outside of the Hot Shop Courtyard. Be on the lookout for other beautiful Viburnums.
- Oakleaf Hydrangea – Oak shaped leaves are starting to show off in a brilliant red. Located in the Botanical Garden Welcome Patio and through the botanical gardens.
- Panicle Hydrangea – The flowers are hanging on and turning warm shades of tan and green. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory and around the botanical gardens.
- American Strawberry Bush – Look for bright red fruit that slightly resembles strawberries, but is NOT. Located in the Children’s Garden in the beds that face that Conservatory.
- Roses – Still flowering but take a look at red/orange fruit. Rose hips look a bit like their cousins the apples. Located in the Community Garden Campus and Franklin park.
- Roughleaf Dogwood – Beautiful white berries showoff against the glossy dark green foliage of this native shrub. Located in the Children’s Garden near the creek.
- Beautyberry – Tiny bright lavender berries help give this shrub its common name. Located in the Children’s Garden and in the Community Garden Campus.
- Spicebush – Lovely shades of warm yellow. Located all around the Children’s Garden.
Perennials:
- Aster – This fall blooming perennial is a good change/contrast to fall orange and golden yellow. Snow Flurry heath aster has tiny white flowers and are located in Paul Busse Garden Railway by European and Purple Dome asters are in the Wells Barn parking lot and in the Community Garden Campus Pollinators Garden. Might be the last week for these
- Mums – Blooming and showing a lot of color throughout the botanical gardens.
- Ornamental Grasses – Many have wonderful plumage. Located all over Franklin Park and the botanical gardens. Many ornamental grasses foliage is starting to change colors to warm tans and buttery browns.
- Japanese Anemones – Tall flowers of white and pink. Last week to see these. Located in the Community Garden Campus and Celebration Garden
Veggies:
With the cool temperatures, cabbage, kale and bok choy leaves are happily showing off.
October 12, 2023 Report
Fall color seems to be holding steady, with the color remaining consistent. Take some time this week to explore the fall beauty:
Trees:
Crabapples – In the fall the fruit is much more visible. After a few frosts, these fruits are a much needed food for birds. Located all over the botanical gardens and Franklin Park.
Shrubs:
- Sweetspire – This shrub is starting to color up with leaves of apricot. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Blackhaw Viburnum – This large shrub is turning red to dark purple. The berries are a lovely shade of red that darkens to blue. Located along the wall outside of the Hot Shop Courtyard.
- Chokeberry – This tall shrub is putting on a lovely show of red foliage. Located by Wild West and in European travels of Paul Busse Garden Railway.
- Weigela – Lovely pink flowers are still flowering. Located in the Children’s Garden.
Perennials:
- Aster – This fall blooming perennial is a good change/contrast to fall orange and golden yellow. Snow Flurry heath aster has tiny white flowers and is located in Paul Busse Garden Railway by European and Purple Dome asters are in the Wells Barn parking lot and in the Community Garden Campus Pollinators Garden.
- Mums – Blooming and showing a lot of color throughout the botanical gardens.
- Veggies – With the cool temperatures, cabbage, kale and bok choy leaves are happily showing off.
Still coloring on:
Trees:
- Silver Lindens – These 2 large trees are starting to show off with yellow leaves. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Honey Locust – Yellow leaves. The honey locust is one of the first to lose its leaves and in the spring one of the last to get its leaves. Located in the Children’s Garden and Community Garden Campus.
- Pawpaw – Known for its fruit, its large leaves turn a pale yellow in the fall. Located in the Children’s Garden and Community Garden Campus.
- Seven-Son Tree – This late blooming tree has bracts that remain on the tree, giving it a different look in the fall. The bracts are in shades of red in the Children’s Garden, while the North Courtyard and Community Garden Campus remain green for a bit longer.
- White Pines – Internal needles are turning yellow/tan and dropping. This is nothing to be alarmed about, these are 2-3 year old needles and are making room for new needles next spring. Located in Children’s Garden and Franklin Park.
- Sassafras – Wonderful shades of red/purple. There are 3 shapes of leaves, ovate, mitten (ovate with a thumb) and an ovate with a thumb and little finger. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Flowering Dogwoods – Warm shades of red and purple. Located in the Childrens Garden and in Franklin Park.
- Sumac – Starting to turn shades of yellow and orange. This shrub has burgundy flame shaped seed heads. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Sugar Maples – Starting with shades of orange, red and yellows. With Sugar Maples, they are individuals and will color up on their own time and in their own color. No 2 are alike. Located in Franklin Park and botanical gardens.
Shrubs:
- Oakleaf Hydrangea – Oak shaped leaves are starting to show off in a brilliant red. Located in the Botanical Garden Welcome Patio and through the botanical gardens.
- Panicle Hydrangea – The flowers are hanging on and turning warm shades of tan and green. Located outside in the Entry Plaza of Franklin Park Conservatory and around the botanical gardens.
- Climbing Hydrangea – This vine’s leaves are turning yellow and will soon drop. Located on the north side of the Conservatory (toward the Celebration Garden).
- American Strawberry Bush – Look for bright red fruit that slightly resembles strawberries, but is NOT. Located in the Children’s Garden in the beds that face that Conservatory.
- Roses – Still flowering but take a look at red/orange fruit. Rose hips look a bit like their cousins the apples. Located in the Community Garden Campus and Franklin Park.
- Roughleaf Dogwood – Beautiful white berries showoff against the glossy dark green foliage of this native shrub. Located in the Children’s Garden near the creek.
- Beautyberry – Tiny bright lavender berries help give this shrub its common name. Located in the Children’s Garden and in the Community Garden Campus.
- Scarlet Firethorn-(Pyracantha) – This thorny shrub has brilliant orange berry clusters. Located on the south side of the Conservatory near the Historic Daylily Garden.
- Spicebush – Lovely shades of warm yellow. Located all around the Children’s Garden.
Perennials:
- Ornamental Grasses – Many have wonderful plumage. Located all over Franklin Park and the botanical gardens.
- Japanese Anemones – Tall flowers of white and pink. Last week to see these. Located in the Community Garden Campus and Celebration Garden.
- White Snakeroot – Tall plants with white flowers. Last week for these too. Located in the Children’s Garden near the entrance.
October 5, 2023 Report
A bit of rain has gotten the foliage moving. The warm temperatures this week might slow things down a bit, but don’t count on it!
Take time to walk and get an up-close view of what is going on in the botanical gardens:
Trees:
- Silver Lindens – These two large trees are starting to show off with yellow leaves. Located in the Entry Plaza.
- Honey Locust – Yellow leaves. The honey locust is one of the first to lose its leaves and in the spring one of the last to get its leaves. Located in the Children’s Garden and Community Garden Campus.
- Pawpaw -.Known for its fruit, its large leaves turn a pale yellow in the fall. Located in the Children’s Garden and Community Garden Campus.
- Seven-Son Tree – This late-blooming tree has bracts that remain on the tree, giving it a different look in the fall. The bracts are in shades of red in the Children’s Garden, while the North Courtyard and Community Garden Campus remain green for a bit longer.
- White Pines – Internal needles are turning yellow/tan and dropping. This is nothing to be alarmed about, these are 2-3-year-old needles and are making room for new needles next spring. Located in the Children’s Garden and Franklin Park.
Shrubs:
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas – Oak-shaped leaves are starting to show off in a brilliant red. Located in the Botanical Garden Welcome Patio and through the botanical gardens.
- Panicle hydrangeas – The flowers are hanging on and turning warm shades of tan and green. Located in Entry Plaza and around the botanical gardens.
- Climbing Hydrangea – This vine’s leaves are turning yellow and will soon drop. Located on the North side of the Conservatory.
Perennials:
- White Snakeroot – Tall plants with white flowers. Located in the Children’s Garden near the entrance.
Still coloring on:
Trees:
- Sassafras – One has turned and the others are soon to follow. Wonderful shades of red/purple. There are 3 shapes of leaves, ovate, mitten (ovate with a thumb) and an ovate with a thumb and little finger. Located in the Children’s Garden
- Flowering Dogwoods – Warm shades of red and purple. Located in the Children’s Garden and in Franklin Park.
- Sumac – Starting to turn shades of yellow and orange. This shrub has burgundy flame-shaped seed heads. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Persian Ironwood – Starting to color up, this tree will turn shades of red, orange and apricot. Located in Franklin Park by the Crane Conifer Garden & Ornamental Grass Collection.
- Sugar Maples – Starting with shades of orange, red and yellows. Sugar Maples, are individuals and will color up on their own time and in their own color. No two are alike. Located in Franklin Park and botanical gardens.
Shrubs:
- American Strawberry Bush – Look for bright red fruit that slightly resembles strawberries, but is NOT. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Roses – Roses are still flowering but take a look at red/orange fruit. Rose hips look a bit like their cousins the apples. Located in the botanical gardens and Franklin Park.
- Roughleaf Dogwood – Beautiful white berries show off against the glossy dark green foliage of this native shrub. Located in the Children’s Garden near the creek.
- Beautyberry – Tiny bright lavender berries help give this shrub its common name. Located in the Children’s Garden and in the Community Garden Campus.
- Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha) – This thorny shrub has brilliant orange berry clusters. Located on the South Side of the Conservatory building near the Historic Daylily Garden area.
- Spicebush – Lovely shades of warm yellow. Located in the Children’s Garden.
Perennials:
- Ornamental Grasses – Many have wonderful plumage. Located all around Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Goldenrod – Brilliant yellow flowers. Located in the Children’s Garden entrance and the North Conservatory bed.
- Japanese Anemones – Tall flowers of white and pink. Located in the Celebration Garden and Community Garden Campus.
September 28, 2023 Report
We still have time to enjoy all that central Ohio has to offer, as the weather remains pleasant and nature continues to flourish. Some trees have begun to flaunt their vibrant autumn colors, while countless others are displaying their fruits and blossoms in all their glory.
There are a lot of plants to take notice of while walking the botanical gardens:
Trees:
- Sassafras – Wonderful shades of red/purple. There are 3 shapes of leaves, ovate, mitten (ovate with a thumb), and an ovate with a thumb and little finger. Located in the Children’s Garden. (Ohio Native)
- Flowering Dogwoods – Warm shades of red and purple. Located in the Children’s Garden and in Franklin Park.
- Sumac – Starting to turn shades of yellow and orange. This shrub has burgundy flame-shaped seed heads. Located in the Children’s Garden.
- Persian Ironwood – Starting to color up, this tree will turn shades of red, orange and apricot. Located in Franklin Park between the greenhouse and the Crane Conifer Garden & Ornamental Grass Collection.
- Sugar Maples – Starting with shades of orange, red and yellows. Sugar Maples, are individuals and will color up on their own time and in their own color. No two are alike. Located in Franklin Park and the Botanical Gardens. (Ohio native)
Shrubs:
- American Strawberry Bush – Look for bright red fruit that slightly resembles strawberries, but is NOT. Located in the Children’s Garden in the beds that face the Conservatory.
- Roses – Still flowering but take a look at red/orange fruit. Rose hips look a bit like their cousins, apples. Located in the Botanical Gardens and Franklin Park.
- Diervilla – This small native shrub is putting on colorful leaves. Located in the Children’s Garden and in the stonewall bed by the Crane Conifer Garden & Ornamental Grass Collection.
- Roughleaf Dogwood – Beautiful white berries show off against the glossy dark green foliage of this native shrub. Located in the Children’s Garden near the creek.
- Beautyberry – Tiny bright lavender berries help give this shrub its common name. Located in the Children’s Garden and the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus.
- Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha) – This thorny shrub has brilliant orange berry clusters. Located on the South Side of the Conservatory building near the Historic Daylily Garden area.
- Northern Spicebush – Lovely shades of warm yellow. Located in the Children’s Garden near the entrance. (Native)
Perennials:
- Obedient Plant – Purple flower spikes. Located in the Community Garden Campus Pollinators Garden.
- Ornamental Grasses – Many have wonderful plumage. One to take notice of is Little Blue Stem which has some great color. Located all over Franklin Park and Botanical Gardens.
- Goldenrod – Brilliant yellow flowers. Located in the Children’s Garden entrance and the North Conservatory bed.
- Hardy Plumbago – Nice ground cover with dark blue flowers. Located in the Community Garden Campus in the Grape Arbor.
- Japanese Anemones – Tall flowers of white and pink. Located in the Community Garden Campus and Celebration Garden.
