The winterberries (ilex verticillata) in the Lovers Lane/ Stockton corner of the park were showing their bright red fruits this week. The berries ripen late in the season and sometimes can still be seen on the shrubs in the wintertime. Until they fully ripen, birds do not touch them because they do not taste good. Winterberries are native to swampy areas in North America.

I ran into Mary while the sun was rapidly descending behind the trees. She had filled her canvas with a dense row of trees catching some of the changing colors finally showing after some cool nights. While she was packing up her tools, the last rays of the sun caught the pine cones above our heads. You can find more of Mary’s work on her website: www.MaryWaltham.com.

On Thursday, October 5, 2017, we witnessed the planting of two beautiful magnolias thanks to a generous donation. Douglas Kale from Kale’s Nursery and Lanscape Services supplied the magnolias and did the digging and planting. He also donated a Franklinia to the park which was planted as well.

One of the magnolias is a Jane magnolia (Magnolia liliflora ‘Reflorescens‘ x stellate ‘Waterlily’) which has beautiful spring flowers; reddish-purple on the outside and whitish on the inside. The tree blooms in late spring.

The other magnolia is a Star magnoli (Magnolia stellata ‘centennial’). It has beautiful white fragrant lily-shaped flowers appearing in late winter or early spring.