Our Favorite Blossoms Are Back!

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Experiment Station

Photos: Sarah Osborne Bender

What kind of tree is that? It’s a Magnolia soulangiana, also known as a Saucer Magnolia.

The tree is not native to the United States, but is a cross between two Chinese magnolias. Magnolia soulangiana was hybridized in 1820 in a French garden. The tree was named after the owner of the garden, Etienne Soulange-Bodin. He had been a cavalry officer in Napoleon’s army and afterward dedicated his time to his garden. Considering the just popularity of this beautiful tree in both Europe and the States, one would say his work was a success.

Ianthe Gergel, Museum Assistant

Van Gogh Trees in Our Front Yard

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Experiment Station

(Left) Tree in front of the house entrance at The Phillips Collection. Photo: Amy Wike. (Right) Vincent van Gogh, Olive Grove, September 1889. Oil on Canvas. Zurich, Private Collection.

Winter strips the trees in the museum’s front yard of their lovely green leaves, but in their bare state, I see an echo of Vincent van Gogh‘s painted olive trees. These unique, corkscrew-branched shrubs are Corylus avellana ‘Contorta,’ commonly known as Harry Lauder’s walking stick. Not quite olive trees, but I see the resemblance all the same.

Amy Wike, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator

Springtime in September?

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Sarah Osborne Bender

Photo by Sarah Osborne Bender

Our beautiful tulip magnolia, often a first sign of Washington D.C. spring, has sprouted blooms in late September! I was astonished to see at least five pink blossoms on the tree which has already started to lose its leaves for autumn. With cold weather coming this weekend, these flowers won’t see October.