We have many unique specimens of flora and fauna in our garden. Look below to see the highlights. Or take this with you on your visit and try to spot them all!
tree HIGHLIGHTS
Witchhazel Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’
Witchhazels are great harbingers of spring, blooming in February and marhc. ‘Jelena’ is no exception. She stands out from the crowd with her glowing coppery-colored flowers.
Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis
Several of these large imposing mature trees with their beautiful light-colored exfoliating bark grace Boxerwood’s grounds.
Sweetgum, Liquidamber styraciflua ‘Corky’
The branches on this large Sweetgum are winged, hence the name ‘Corky’.
Persian Ironwood, Parrotia persica
This stunning specimen with its beautiful exfoliating bark is one of Boxerwood’s most beautiful trees. A member of the witchhazel family, the tree blooms in March before the leaves emerge and is a boon to the early pollinators.
Oriental Spruce, Picea orientalis
This striking spruce makes a tall green column along one of the major paths at Boxerwood.
Needle or Temple Juniper, Juniperus rigida ‘Pendula’
This conifer has earned the nickname “Shaggy Dog’ for its distinctive weepy habit reminiscent of an Afghan dog.
Himalayan Pine, Pinus wallichiana ‘Zebrina’
This large beautiful specimen pine has long yellow-striped needles.
Fringetree, Chionanathus virginicus
This Virginia native has beautiful soft-textured panicles in May that turn into grape-like fruits, loved by the birds, in late summer, early fall.
Camperdown Elm, Ulmus glabra
An unusual very small elm with a broad-spreading canopy, this tree looks especially spectacular in the winter months.
Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum spp.
Boxerwood abounds in Japanese Maples of which there are over 120 different cultivars
Atlantic Cedar, Cedrus atlantica
This majestic tree’s needles are a bluish –green in color, a nice contrast to the darker greens of the trees and shrubs surrounding it.
Cornelian Cherry, Cornus mas
Not your everyday dogwood (and it is a dogwood, not a cherry), this shrubby tree bears loads of astringent olive-sized fruit in the late summer. It is one of our earliest bloomers with dainty yellow flowers.
Great Oak, Quercus shumardii
The Great Oak stands at the center of Boxerwood and is thought to be about 250 years old. Many school children have studied under its branches.
wildlife HIGHLIGHTS
turtle
snake
Fritterly Butterfly
Photo by Charles J. Sharp
bird HIGHLIGHTS
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Chickadee
Heron
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
ART IN THE GARDEN
The Big Chair, by Jay Sullivan
Fairy House, by Jay Sullivan, for the opening of the Boxerwood Fairy Forest, 2016
Running Woman, by Jay Sullivan
Unknown, Commissioned in 1982, Joe Blouin, sculptor. Materials: cor-ten steel and aluminum.