Hammemallis virginiana, common or woodland witch hazel is the last blooming native of the year. It defies the chill of a frosty December morning and calls out to any pollinators that might still be buzzing around our New England forests.
Nerine sarniensis is a South African plant in the Amarylladaceae family. Common names include Guernsey Lily, Jersey Lily, Cornish Lily and Cape flower. Classified as a half hardy bulb, in the Northeast, it would not survive in winter.
Spring is the time to visit the Rock Garden! It is home to over 800 different types of alpine, dwarf, and woodland plants, making it the most intensively planted area on the Smith campus.
Hamamelis X Intermedia 'Pallida', Pallida Chinese Witch hazel, a deciduous woody shrub, is part of the Botanic Garden's campus arboretum. These diciduous plants bloom in midwinter through spring. The flowers are quite fragrant.
Haemanthus albiflos, also called paintbrush is native to South Africa. It is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is the most commonly know species in its genus. The flowers are long lived and the attractive evergreen foliage makes this a very popular plant.
