Another Fantastic Friday

It was another excellent day out in the gardens.  What we thought was going to be a very muggy day was actually not bad with a decent breeze and overcast skies.  It was again nice to see so many visitors out in the gardens enjoying seeing plants like this ‘Heartthrob’ perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) seen directly above.  Talented volunteers along with our excellent grounds crew accomplished lots of projects and have the gardens looking spiffy for the weekend.  More photos from the gardens can be seen throughout this blog.

 ‘Samurai Sword’ Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) – perennial
 ‘Lion Fish’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – annual
‘Red Coral’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellariodes) – annual

Our dedicated grounds volunteers continue to accomplish so much out in the gardens.  Above are Kathy (left) and Eva in the fern & moss garden where they tidied up and planted 50 or so new ferns.  Kay (below) tidied up many areas and her attention to detail is second to none.  Karen, Cheryl P. and Carole K. tidied in the Japanese garden and Bill O. did his mowing rounds.  Jan R. continued her tidying in the Scottish garden.  Jumbo Jim and Deb G. brought in six RECAPPERS and these gentlemen did an excellent job out in the gardens.  Chuck and Ken took the cart out for some tour training and we also saw Mary W., Elsa, Jean S., Marsha M., Maury, Gary S. and many others.

 

We had VIPs in the garden today with Jessica (in orange) from Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners, WI) and Marian from the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (Milwaukee).  I had a great tour with the ladies and they took full advantage of the giant Adirondack chair in the arboretum (one of two!).
The grounds staff was hopping today between many diverse projects.  Suffice it to say that Cindy, Big John, Terry, Janice and Trevor had a busy day start to finish.  Tasks included mowing, watering, fertilizing, pruning, planting, etc.  I wasn’t much help outside but my pressing desk work is becoming a priority.  It was an excellent Friday!
 ‘Scarlet’ kale (Brassica oleracea) – annual (yummy!)
 fragrant herbs in the Smelly Garden!
 ‘Jolt Pink’ sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) – annual (fragrant!)
 ‘Mystic Illusion’ dark-leaved dahlia (Dahlia hybrida) – annual
 wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) – perennial
‘Yellowfin Tuna’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – annual
 ‘Alpha’ pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) – annual
 Incrediball  smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’) – woody shrub