A Day of Hooky…Not Really!

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It was a crazy day today for everyone for sure!  I went mobile for most of the day and visited three nurseries: The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI), Stonefield Plant Farm (Evansville, WI) and Ahren’s Acres (Brodhead, WI).  I picked up plants at all three nurseries and connected with our growers who are all wonderful people.  I took some photos at The Flower Factory as well and also included some from the gardens.  I also took some shots (below) of some of our plants that are still being grown for pick up in the coming weeks.  I left the gardens in good hands with Larry H., Cindy, Big John, Trevor and Nolan.  The gang had a wide range of tasks and helped unload deliveries as well.  Kathy, Eva and Kay were all in for weeding and tidying and later in the evening, I saw Alan, Sondra and Mary W. out in the herb garden.  Alan M. was on hand to help with painting, weeding and mulching and Nancy N. returned for some painting.  Ron P. worked on repairing more lights for the Holiday Light Show (HLS).  Dave T. continued work on the Giant Aquarium and Maury ran many errands for us as well. Lisa I. was in to check on the daylilies and later in the evening, I worked with about a dozen volunteers from the Cloverbud (4H) program and we did some weeding and planting in the reception garden.  Thanks to our ambassadors Barb and Shirley as they helped me keep things organized.  I also saw Gary, Bill, Dr. Gredler and a couple others during my limited time at the gardens today and apologies to those I missed or forgot to mention!  Full speed ahead this time of year!!!

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CITY™ ‘Rio’ coral bells (Heuchera) – perennial

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yellow lady’s slippers (Cypripedium sp.) – perennial

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hostas and other perennials at the display garden at The Flower Factory

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cool horse topiaries at The Flower Factory

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just some of our baby plants at Stonefield Plant Farm (above)

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these babies (above) are all ours – awaiting pick-up at Ahren’s Acres (Brodhead, WI)

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wild hyacinth or quamash (Camassia cusickii) – perennial

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‘Avalon Gold’ dogwood (Cornus sericea) – woody shrub

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hardy kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’) – woody vine

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My Monet® Weigela florida ‘Verweig’ – woody shrub

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‘Green Jay’ tulip (Tulipa)

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Golden Shadows™ pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia ‘W. Stackman’) – woody tree

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‘Copper Cascade’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) – perennial

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yellow buckeye (Aesculus octandra) – woody tree

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our tribute to Prince continues with these huge purple culvert pipe planters (with Alan M.)