From the Director

Spring 2008

We have just experienced one of the mildest winters on record here in the New York metropolitan area.

Thankfully, we have received enough precipitation in the form of rainfall, because the snows never provided it. We know that a dry winter can be extremely damaging to plants of all kinds. Much of this damage takes place out of sight, below ground, and then does not reveal itself until well into the growing season. So, weather’s been good!

This year, we can look forward to earlier bloom times on many of our late winter and early spring “bloomers”. As I write this letter, in mid-March, we are already seeing full bloom on Winter Jasmine, Hellebores, Cornelian Cherry, White Forsythia, Snowdrops, Winter Aconites, Mahonia, Edworthia and Pieris. Look in the photo section of the Hofstra web site to identify these beauties…. then get out there and experience them first-hand.

Hofstra’s first major display of color comes throughout the month of April from bulb plants. Daffodils are planted en-mass along the roadways and islands both within the campus proper and along Hempstead Turnpike, Earl Ovington Boulevard., Oak Street and Uniondale Avenue As we proceed into May, the tulips begin their show. Large and small groupings are interspersed all over campus in colors complimentary to the existing landscape.

Tulips hold a special place in Hofstra’s Dutch heritage. Did you know that in 1985, on the occasion of our 50th anniversary, the Dutch Government, in cooperation with the Dutch Bulb Growers Association, honored Hofstra with the naming of our very own tulip “Hofstra University”? This tulip variety is a pure white Darwin hybrid that grows to 26 inches in height. We plant it each year on campus and you can see it this year growing in the gardens on the north side of Chemistry Physics, the Hofstra Information Center raised planter and the west side of Weller Hall under the large Yellowwood trees.

For the best look at tulip variety, however, you must visit the “Tulips Sampler Garden” located between Dempster Hall and the Law Library. Here you can see an assortment of more than150 tulips grouped into their respective classification. Each variety is labeled for identification and brochures are provided. You will see Species tulips, Darwin hybrids, Lilyflowering, Rembrandt, Viridiflora, Peony, Fringed and more. It’s a great way to find your favorite kinds and colors and make notes for planting on your own property this coming fall.

Enjoy!

Fred Soviero
Director of the Hofstra University Arboretum