A Nice Soaker

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