Hummingbirds Sighted!

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The first hummingbirds of the season have appeared out in the gardens!  Three of the species can be seen both above and below with lots of color in evidence.  These are three of the twenty-seven, beautiful garden art projects that will be installed throughout the gardens by next week.  Built by our Grumpy volunteers, these hummingbirds have been decorated and interpreted by area artists as part of our annual art project / exhibit.  This Garden Art Project continues to be popular addition to the gardens and this hummingbird theme is extremely relevant as we are also featuring our Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden.  These hummingbirds are all exquisite and will ultimately be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the gardens in early September after being enjoyed by our visitors over the next four months.  It was very misty this morning and overcast all day.  However, we had a strong turnout of volunteers and were able to get lots accomplished.

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‘Drummondii’ variegated Norway maple (Acer platanoides) – woody tree

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‘Ocean’s Fury’ crested hybrid painted fern (Athyrium hybrida) – perennial

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‘Valentine’ bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) – perennial

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wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – perennial

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‘Red Majestic’ contorted purple filbert (Corylus avellana) – woody shrub / small tree

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‘Blue Ivory’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

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Our volunteers primarily focused on weeding.  Above is Kathy and below is Eva.  The ladies did a great job weeding near the observation pier where it was becoming a quick mess with lots of weeds coming up quickly.  The ladies did a superb job and not far away was Kay working in the shade garden with the same tenacity for weed removal.  Dr. Gredler and Bill both mowed and Alan helped with a wide range of projects including some weeding and mulching in the arboretum.  Gena, Myrt, Mary and Patty converged in the Japanese garden for some serious weeding and Jim brought four RECAPPERS down for a wide range of tasks.  The guys dug out shrubs and did some great work out in the arboretum.  We had our wonderful volunteers from the Chestnut House on site today and working with Janice.  Our Home Garden Tour Committee met as well to continue preparations for our July 16th Home Garden Tour featuring eight lovely gardens in the Janesville area.  We also saw Gary S., Maury, Kris K., Lois A. and many others today.

The grounds staff did a great job today.  Terry and Big John continued putting up hummingbird art projects and had a wide range of duties today.  Janice helped wind down the Spring Plant Sale as there are lots of things to process and pack away.  She also worked on some projects and with our Chestnut House volunteers.  I was able to get in a really good tour of the gardens and continue to catch up on desk work.

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Eva working her weeding “kung fu”

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Patrea (above) is a welcome addition to the front desk staff (and is a veteran volunteer!)

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Myrt (red), Gena, Patty and Mary (clockwise)

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Alan M. (above) weeding in the arboretum

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Kay in the shade garden tackling weeds

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‘Golden Guinea’ double Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) – woody shrub

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‘Little Boy Blue’ lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – woody shrub

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‘Running Tapestry’ foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – perennial

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Lavender Twist® redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’) – woody tree

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prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) at peak bloom – perennial

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‘Royal Cloak’ barberry (Berberis thunbergii) – woody shrub

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