Between Raindrops

We had a very productive Tuesday at the gardens with much of our activity focused on taking advantage of the decent weather before rain arrives over the coming days. With final preparations in full swing for our Spring Plant Sale this weekend (see our website for details), there is much to do both in regards to the sale itself (an important fundraiser) and continuing to tidy up the gardens. The sale will feature a wide range of vegetables, herbs, perennials and much more!

The grounds staff of John, Terry, Cindy, Brian, Bob and I all had myriad duties out in the gardens. With impending rain, I fertilized almost all of our turf which has been growing vigorously with all the recent rains. The crew had various duties related to our looming plant sale as well as getting the gardens in order for a busy weekend. Tasks included garden tidying, rototilling, early weed control efforts, string trimming, fountain installation and much more. The weather this weekend currently looks pretty good which should translate in to solid visitation for both the gardens and the Spring Plant Sale. Our volunteers (lots of couples today!) included Janice and the Chestnut House volunteers, Cathy and Josh E., Stan and Kristin K., Greg and Cheryl P., Kathy, Eva, Bill O., Dr. Gredler, Alan, Sandi, Barb, Steve J., Tina B. (great help out in pre-plant sale!), Bob and Bev D., Mary Kay and many others. It was a busy day. We’ll see how the weather plays out over the coming days!

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) – perennial (above)
‘Mars’ barrenwort (Epimedium sempervirens) – perennial (above)
‘Little Leo’ leopard’s bane (Doronicum orientale) – perennial (above)
‘Sutherland Gold’ elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) – woody shrub (above)
variegated Norway maple (Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’) – woody tree (above)
bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) – perennial (above)
Judd viburnum (Viburnum x juddii) – woody plant (above) – fragrant!!!
Blue Sunrise perennial geranium (Geranium hybrida ‘Blogold’) – perennial (above)
above is one of thirty Dragonfly Garden Art Project that will be on display throughout the gardens by this weekend
all three of our small greenhouses are filled with plants – most for the Spring Plant Sale but many, like the Abyssinian bananas (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’) to the left, for the grounds
Janice had her cool apron on in advance of some great help today from our Chestnut House volunteers! (thanks to Rhonda, Dawn and Sue for helping out too!)
Here is our ‘Dancing Waters’ fountain en route for installation with Bobby K. and Brian (driving)