Bonsai, Rain and Plants

The last 24 hours have been interesting!  Last night we had Dr. Charles Mortensen facilitate a presentation and demonstration on bonsai with the help of his lovely wife, Helen.  We had a nice crowd and enjoyed learning about the interesting history of bonsai and may of the basics for planting, training and maintaining these treasures.  Around 7 pm, we could hear the pounding rain and hail coming down and during our break, we headed out to check on the gardens (see below).  Thankfully we ended up not having too much damage although it took all day to tidy up the gardens.  A special thanks to Dr. Mortensen for his wonderful program.  The rain looks like it will make a return appearance over the coming days!

I went on two plant runs today and left the gardens in the capable hands of our grounds staff (Larry O., Cindy B., Trevor and Nolan) and our many volunteers.  There was a lot of clean-up going on out in the gardens as well as weeding, mowing and other tasks.

pea-sized hail came pounding down on Wednesday evening!

lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) – perennial

fragrant abelia (Abelia mosanensis) – woody shrub (very sweet smelling!)

‘Copper Ridges’ doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum) – woody shrub

‘Hartlage Wine’ sweetshrub (Calycanthus raulstonii) – woody shrub

‘Liberty’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

nice to have two of these at the gardens to help gently guide behavior at the gardens (which seems pretty obvious to most of us…)

‘Wredei’ golden elm (Ulmus x hollandica) – woody tree

‘Paltec’ hybrid iris (Iris hybrida) – perennial

‘Mount Everest’ ornamental onion (Allium sp.) – perennial