We had a nice soaking of rain from last night through this morning. The 1.5″ that came down steadily was the soaking rain we’ve been waiting for over the last six weeks. The morning rain kept us inside for plenty of tasks that have accumulated and we ended up with a productive day out in the gardens. Above is the start of fall color on the black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) which should transition to one of the best crimson-red fall colors out there!
Grounds staff included Larry H., Larry O., Bobby K. and me. We had a wide range of tasks although I caught up with a couple weeks worth of desk work today. Our volunteers included Kathy, Eva, Vern, Steve J., Steve E., Kristin, Stan, Mary Kay, Chuck S. and many others. We also saw Maryam, Urban and some others. It was a wet but productive day!
‘Blazin’ Lime’ bloodleaf (Iresine hybrida) – annual
‘Majestic’ elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) – annual
ROYAL HAWAIIAN® ‘Maui Gold’ elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) – tropical
‘Zahara Sunburst’ zinnia (Zinnia marylandica) – annual
‘Zahara Double Fire’ zinnia (Zinnia marylandica) – annual
nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.) thriving late in the season – annual
weeping Alaskan cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’) – woody conifer
late bloom of one of our un-named trial coneflowers (Echinacea hybrida) – perennial
vivid morning glory (Ipomoea sp.) – annual vine
Steve E. (yesterday) clearing annuals which he continued today in the same area (reception garden)
Larry H. decorating a tricolor European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseo-Marginata’)
‘Royal Flush’ monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii) – perennial
New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are still hanging in there! – annuals
intensifying fall color on Amur maple (Acer ginnala) – woody tree
impressive row of ‘Maurelii’ Abyssinian bananas (Ensete ventricosum) – tropical