Spring Pond Woods: Exotic and Native Flora

Mr. Fay's Arboretum was once a known place, notable for being one of the earliest arboretums, predating Olmstead and for having flora being sighted here first in the country. Richard Sullivan Fay imported several rare species from all parts of the world (Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, Australia and other parts of the world), and filled the bare hills of the estate with exotic trees and beautiful flowers. Flora can be found around Spring Pond and in different parts of the season. People enjoyed walking the estate, admiring the vast variety of native and exotic foliage. Below is a map of the inventoried flora in the historic Fay Estate Arboretum. There are more areas to further inventory, as this is only an initial study.

To view, click on map, and again to zoom in. Right-click to download.

Flower No. 1 Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush

Button-willow and Honey-bells. A native plant found near wetlands.

Flower No. 2

Flower No. 3 Solanum Ducamara - Bitter Sweet Night Shade.

Native to Europe and Asia, as seen in the Mediterranean. Creates a purple flower first. Then turns into colorful fruit balls. (Pardon the windy day in the photo.

Flower No. 4 (unidentified) Blooms in June.

Flower No. 5 Philadelphus - Mock-orange.

Native species to Americas, Asia and southeast Europe. Smells like orange and Jasmine. (Thanks to Jocelyn for finding the name.)

Flower No. 6 Commelina communis - Asiatic Day Flower.

Native to East and South Asia. (Thanks to Leslie for finding the name.)

Flower No. 7

Flower No. 8

Flower No. 9 Pink Lady's Slipper

Flower No. 10 Hatpins

Native flower blooms when pond is exposed.

Flower No. 11 Clethra alnifolia, Pepper bush

Native flower, has a sweet strong smell. This shrubbery surrounds the pond.

Flower No. 12 Silene Latifolia, White Campion

Native to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Flower No. 13 Wood Hyacinth

Native to Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Flower No. 14 Eutrochium, Joe-Pye Weed

Native flower, herb, wildflower, butterfly plant, ornamental flower bed, and Native American medicine healer. A camouflaged cricket stands on a leaf.

Flower No. 15 Jasmine!

"gift of God", genus of shrubs and vines in the Olive family, native to tropical climates of the "Old World" of the Mediterranean

Flower No. 16, Galanthus: Snowdrop flower

Native to Europe, stretching from the Pyrenees in the west, through France and Germany to Poland in the north, Italy, Northern Greece, Ukraine, and an old European area now in Turkey. The flower has been introduced and naturalized globally throughout the world. In most countries certain species of this flower are threatened. In blue and white colors below.

Flower No. 17, Sakura? Cherry Blossom or Apple Blossom

Commonly found in Asia.

Flower No. 18, Silver Dollar

Commonly found in Europe. Traditionally placed in wedding bouquets as good luck.

Flower No. 19, Garlic Mustard Plant

Thank you to Julia for finding the name.

Flower No. 20 Tulip

It is believed the first American tulips in the nation appeared here in the Fay Estate, among other flora. In 1847, Richard Sullivan Fay, Esq., one of Lynn's noblest men, eminent agriculturist, merchant and manufacturer, occupied the land and imported a vast variety of trees and plants from all parts of the world, and filled the empty meadows of the Fay Estate.

The Daily Item, 1952