Community Appreciation Day

Today was extremely busy out in the gardens despite the very quick “warm up” to 88 degrees F this afternoon!  It was nice to see so many visitors enjoying Community Appreciation Day at the gardens including many children.  It’s always nice to see a congested garden but we have to be careful getting through for maintenance as we still have to do our “thing” out there which included plenty more watering today.  Many of our volunteers involved with education engaged children throughout the gardens.I gave a tour for Adam and Julie from Swarthmore College (The Scott Arboretum) out in PA this morning and they seemed to enjoy the visit.  Our grounds staff of Big John, Cindy, Ibhar and I all had plenty of work to contend with today.  We had excellent volunteer help from Kathy P., Eva, Marleen, Maury, Nancy M., two RECAPPERS, Maury, Dr. Gredler, Bill O. and many others.  We also saw Jim N., Laura B. and many others throughout the day.  The gardens continue to have great color like the Wellness Garden directly above and directly below.  There is no shortage of excellent color out there today and we’re glad to sponsor and promote this Community Appreciation Day.

Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) – annual

the kaleidoscope planter continues to be popular! (above)

lemon bergamot (Monarda citrodora) – annual

‘Gateway’ Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum) – perennial

Vertigo® elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum ‘Tift 8’) – annual

the much asked about ‘Bronze Pink’ copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) – annual

fun container arrangement with Royal Hawaiian® ‘Black Coral’ elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) in the center and  ‘Canary Wings’ begonia spilling out! (golden foliage!) – annual

Permathread™ ‘Red Satin’ tickseed (Coreopsis hybrida) – perennial

‘Sun King’ Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata) looking bright! – perennial

High Tide® White flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum ‘PAS347556’) – annual

‘Hopi Red Dye’ amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus x powellii) – annual

‘Dr. Robert Yahr’ plantain lily (Hosta) – above and below (for sale in our Cottage Garden Gallery!)

ripening bitter melon (Momordica charantia) – annual

flowers (below) and seed capsules (above) of castor bean (Ricinus communis) – annual (POISONOUS!)

fruiting cluster of Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) which will turn red – perennial

‘Zahara Double Raspberry Ripple’ zinnia (Zinnia marylandica) – annual

‘Cherry Queen’ spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) – annual