August Peak Continues

The day started out overcast with some promising rain heading our way.  The rain swung south and we ended up with a nice sunny day at around 80 degrees F.  The very top photo is a testament to how wet has been this summer!  We are seeing mushrooms in many locations and this spot is in a shady location with lots of mulch!  Above is the ‘Hinomaru’ cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) looking lovely.  The gardens continue to look wonderful and continue to be at their August peak.

Our grounds staff had a busy day.  Cindy worked on tidying multiple areas to include the front entrance garden, terrace and Hummingbird Haven.  She also had some watering duties.  Big John planted, sheared, watered and pruned in many locations.  Trevor did some blower rounds, edging work and push mowed.  Larry had watering duties as well as significant pruning out in the woodland walk garden.  I was able to put out more plants for installation and continue to keep up with looming events like the Fall Plant Sale and Holiday Light Show.

‘Benary Giant Bright Pink’ zinnia (Zinnia elegans) – annual

the Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden continues to looks spectacular (above and two below)

another photo of our Gothic theme this year

‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) – non hardy woody plant

We had another superb turnout of volunteers today like Dr. Gredler (seen above).  Doc and Rollie took care of our mowing needs in many locations.  Kathy, Eva, Shirley and Winifred all helped weed the front entrance gardens slope then shifted to some other areas.  Alan, Ron R., Bob K. and Lloyd put up our four Fall Plant Sale tents out in the yard of the Horticulture Center.  Dick H. ran to the dump and was cutting up strap aluminum for future plant labels.  Maury ran errands for us.  Ron Y., Dave, Steve and Jim worked on carpentry projects.  Garrett and Dennis continued their work on the North path and are doing an excellent job of upgrading that old route.  Derrick and Dick P. worked on leveling and improving our brick walkways in the sunken garden which are much in need of their attention.  Both Gary and Peg were in to work on labeling needs.  We also saw Mark S., Becky, Vern and many others today.

Marv (left) and Terry

Maury (above)

Garrett (left) and Dennis

Shirley (in the back), Eva (not smiling in the middle) and Kathy P. (giving me the evil eye) on the far right

Steve J. (above)

‘Ivory’ African marigold (Tagetes erecta) – annual

SunPatiens® ‘Compact Tropical Rose’ (Impatiens x hybrida ‘SAKIMP037’)

annual beds in the arboretum (above and below)

garden beds like those in the gazebo garden (above) and arboretum (below) are filling in nicely