Seen in the Garden Today: Osmanthus and few other things

Osmanthus in Japanese: mokusei
Maple in Japanese: kaede/momiji
Wisteria in Japanes: fuji
Wood anemone in Japanese: anemone

by Nat S. (text + post idea) and aleks (pics + captions)

Not many of us guides get to the Garden often enough to see the many seasonal changes, great and small.  We can enjoy a regular glimpse, though, if we serve as one another's eyes.

It would be fun if guides would comment in a post about something they see, and on or near the day of their Garden visit.  Having this log would make us readers feel as if we're there.  And such a chronicle can further our knowledge about the Garden.  Too, it could prompt a visit!

The post could be about a plant that's in bud, in bloom, in seed, fragrant, leafing-out, fruiting, changing color, dropping leaves, recently pruned or similarly maintained, etc.  And not just about those plants that stand out, but less conspicuous ones, too, like meadow rue.
    

Or, maybe it's the fauna you notice that day.  Or the way the pond appears, or how the waterfall or stream looks or sounds.

By the way, if you have your camera along, a snapshot would be great to include with your post. 

Thanks!  

Nat S.

(Click on the pics to enlarge them)

SJG 4/3/11 - Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Illiifolius' - blooming by the East Gate

Osmanthus flowers

Blooming in early spring, Osmanthus usually waffles delightful sweet scent into the air - today it's too cold and I had to literally press my nose into the flower to detect its fragrance.

There are quite a few Osmanthus shrubs in the Garden (most of them not shaped into a ball like the one in the pic above) - walking on the East Path on a warm day you will have no trouble to identify them while they are in bloom - the whole section alongside the pond is nothing but a perfume orgy.

SJG 4/3/11 - At this time of  the year Lace Leaf Maple (Acer Palmatum 'Burgundy Lace') near the South entrance shows off its magnificent trunk, normally hidden under canopy of attention grabbing leaves that change color from burgundy to smoky orange

SJG 4/3/11 • Faux bloom or hilarious  shakkei (borrowed scenery):  wisteria trellis  not happy about its April nakedness?  Why not grab some showy sight from the Arboretum across the street - this view from the West Path is quite foolling one's senses:  
U peeps r so dum - my new haircut, doncha know? :)

SJG 3/3/11 • Wood Anemone (Anemone memorosa) under the camellia tree on the northern mountain path

SJG 4/3/11 • Wood Anemone flower

I always look forward to say HI to these short-time Garden visitors: after their dainty blue flowers are done, the anemone plants perform quite magical act of disappearing: leaves and all -   nothing left on the ground  to remind onlookers about their early spring visit.  And HI,  Kathy L. over at the Plant Group (where I m a fairly accidental member) - two years ago I didn't know most of those plants names -  thank you for teaching me! aleks.


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4/14/11 • P.S. from aleks:  I started collating contributions to this theme in the right-side bar, under the heading Seen in The Garden Today - they are listed by date/topic for easy reference throughout the year: click on the one you want to re-visit to get there without scrolling...