A Rainy Start…

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I need to be honest and mention that none of these photos were from today!  It was a rainy morning and I didn’t get out in the gardens much as I needed to spend time processing our “post Fall Plant Sale” yard.  I can’t stop photographing the arched bridge (above) with this photo from a couple days ago.  I’m sure I’ve taken hundreds of photos of this bridge over the years and over the seasons!  The 4/10″ of rain was welcome as it took care of our container watering needs but overall, we’re damp enough to ride it out for awhile!  I know some local farmers have very muddy fields which is going to be a problem shortly if they don’t dry out.

We had a great crew today and the weather didn’t slow down our “processing” out in the plant sale.  We un-priced plants, loaded up our wagons, shifted plants around and had myriad indoor projects during the rain.  We also hauled bulbs to the Cottage Garden Gallery where they will continue to be sold and mums were also delivered to the front of the Parker Education Center where they are now $7 each!  Larry H., Larry O., Big John, Cindy and I were here and our volunteers included Bill O., Dave K., Kathy P., Alan M., Dick P., Maury F., Dr. Gredler, Phil P. and many others.  When the weather cleared, Larry O. and John went in to full throttle for Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up in two areas.  Just about everyone had involvement with moving plants, collecting labels and otherwise keeping busy throughout the day.  We also saw Gary, Hal, Iza, Maury, Dick P., John and Pam for our Garden Development & Maintenance Committee Meeting this morning at the Horticulture Center.

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‘Red Head’ perennial fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) – perennial

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ripening fruits of the ‘Black Pearl’ ornamental hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) – annual

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‘Dakota Gold’ sneezeweed (Helenium amarum) – annual

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sweet Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) – semi-woody

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another photo of this well-placed sweet Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) – semi-woody (fragrant!)

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our mixed caladium bed is doing well but come see the Caladium Collection as well!

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‘Limelight’ four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa) – annual

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Mystic Illusion dahlia (Dahlia hybrida ‘Knockout’) loving this weather – annual