Rutgers Gardens in October
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite places in central New Jersey: Rutgers Gardens. Rutgers Gardens is maintained by staff, students and volunteers. You can learn more on the website for Rutgers Gardens.
There are various garden areas within Rutgers Gardens. The one above with the bench is part of the rain garden. Vegetation in a rain garden area needs to be acclimated to prolonged periods of inundation, followed by equally prolonged periods of drought. From the Rutgers Gardens website:
Rain gardens look attractive when newly planted, but can and often deteriorate over time with the invasion of unattractive weeds and a resulting decline in vigor from the ornamental plantings as they become ‘choked-out’. The intent at Rutgers Gardens was to design and develop a garden that had all the positive environmental aspects, yet remained attractive throughout the year with minimal maintenance.
These attractive yellow flowers are part of the Donald B. Lacy Display garden. Wish I knew the name of the yellow flowers (and those red pom ones as well – maybe a kind of Gomphrena – maybe Gomphrena globosa ‘Fireworks’). I believe the magenta/purple pom ones I showed last week are Gomphrena globosa. Some of the flowers and vegetables are grown inside a fence with a gate, and the public is not allowed to enter, but it is easy to peek in and view.
One of the great features of Rutgers Gardens are the hikes you can take – we like taking the walk that goes along the Raritan River. There was some colorful foliage but not a lot. I like the pretty colorful reflections in the river.
As I said on the Rutgers Gardens post last week, we saw two chipmunks. Here’s one more photo of the chipmunk in the woods:
For more Nature Notes:
Carver says
What a great garden. I enjoyed seeing it through your photography.
leoraw says
And I enjoy seeing your parks and mountains through your blog as well, Carver.
Lorri M says
What lovely photos. I love the varied garden perspectives, especially the bench, and also the reflections in the water.
leoraw says
The reflections are quite lovely. I would wander all around the North East with a camera at this time of year if I could.
Susan Cooper says
I would love to have a garden like that near where I live. I would be in heaven. Gardens like this always give me some great ideas and offer suggestion as to what plants would thrive in my garden. I love that Rutger's is working towards making the garden environmental (and ornamental) friendly and not just ornamental. :-)
leoraw says
Oh, environmental science is important at Rutgers and in this area. I meet so many knowledgeable people. Yesterday I went on a tree walk with a local expert (arranged by our borough) - I'll post about that next week.
Karen says
Looks like a lovely place for a walk. Cute chippie!
leoraw says
It was quite nice.
Michelle RamblingWoods says
Oh what a great place to visit and you captured the pretty fall color. I am surprised that I don't see little chippies here, but I am only seen one.. My B-I-L went to Rutgers for law school... Michelle
leoraw says
I don't see chipmunks often. Maybe they like Rutgers Gardens.
Laura Hegfield says
So beautiful Leora, looks like you had a wonderful time:-)
leoraw says
I had fun. The company was wonderful (a friend and her daughter visiting from Israel - I've met with her when in Israel, this time I got to show her one of my favorite parts of NJ).
Vicki says
What a fascinating and beautiful place to wander. I really like the idea of a rain garden!
leoraw says
There is always a bit of construction going on in that area. Would be nice to meet the landscape designers/engineers sometime.
Jeri says
The layers of colors present in fall are always so inviting. Colors flare to such extremes but the slowness of decay is also present. I guess I just like the contrast in that. I've never heard of a rain garden.
leoraw says
Decay and color together - good point, Jeri. I learned more about rain gardens because we have some near the main avenue in Highland Park. Next week's post, if I don't have too busy a weekend.
Indrani says
Looks like a very cosy place, good to sit and relax!
I love the picture of the lake with reflections.
leoraw says
Oh, it's the Raritan River! But someone on FB also thought it was a lake. I guesses it's the way I photographed it. Next time I'll try for the long, look down the river type of shot.
EG CameraGirl says
AH! I does look like a lovely place to enjoy nature!
leoraw says
One of my favorite places that's local.
Mrs. S. says
Beautiful pictures!
A garden that "remain[s] attractive throughout the year with minimal maintenance" is my kind of garden! :-)
leoraw says
I kind of aim for that with my garden, but easier said than done. I've had too many perennials die on me. We haven't had a lot of rain this fall.
But I suspect Rutgers Gardens gets plenty of care, given the lush plants we saw.
Susan Cooper says
Oh, how I loved seeing these pictures today. The garden looks amazing. I would love to have one like it near by. With the drought that isn't possible. :-)
leoraw says
Susan, you are inspiring me to take more nature photos. That would calm me down, too! And now, back to my inbox of work ...
Please leave a comment! I love to hear from you.