Day of Mega-Productivity

img_6445

Well, I forgot to finish my Thursday blog at home last night so here it is!  It has been crazy at work with preparations for the Holiday Light Show (HLS) and ending the gardening season.  I read in the newspaper yesterday that we may end up with one of the latest frost dates on record!  Regardless of impending frost, we continue to clear annuals, cut back perennials and enjoy fall color on the ‘Aconitifolium’ fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum) seen above.  We have four of these beautiful trees and all are at various stages of “fall color awesomeness”.

Big John, Cindy, Larry H., Larry O., Bobby K. and I were all involved with various HLS duties yesterday as well as some other odds and ends.  Most of the grounds staff will shift exclusively to HLS preparations as our November window is tight for getting the show up, tested, tweaked and ready to rock and roll.  We’ll get there I’m sure and our wonderful volunteers continue to help with a wide range of tasks including fall clean-up duties.

img_6449

‘Hoshi yadori’ variegated painted maple (Acer pictum ssp. mono) – woody tree

img_6451

Little Lime® panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’) – woody shrub

img_6455

fall color on royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis) – perennial

img_6456

 

fall color on Amur maple (Acer ginnala) – woody tree

img_6419

The photo above is from our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner last night at the gardens.  I believe we had over 130 in attendance which is an excellent crowd.  Maryam, Polly, Chris and the volunteer committee did a nice job preparing for this event.  Gary Smith (below) started the night by introducing our new Executive Director, Rebecca Kronberg, who will start on Monday.  The event went well and we ended the evening by recognizing Gary and his FOURTH term as interim Executive Director and his continued commitment to the gardens.

img_6420 img_6423

We had a huge number of volunteers today.  A wide range of gardening tasks, carpentry and HLS-related activities were occurring in earnest!  Volunteers included Marilyn, Liz, Barb, Shirley H., Kathy, Eva, Dave E., Steve J., Dick H., Alan, Bob K., Gene, Vern, Dave, Ron Y., Jim, Steve S., Vicki, Dr. Gredler, Nancy N. and many more.  There were a lot of folks here today as evidenced by a full parking lot at the Horticulture Center.  Above are Steve J. (foreground) and Gene collecting leaves.  The paths were covered with leaves and twigs after the wind and rain throughout yesterday.  It was a very productive day all around!

img_6426 img_6428

Bob K. (left) and Alan with ‘Black Stockings’ elephant grass (Pennisetum hybrida) – annual (not hardy)

img_6431

busy gazebo garden!

img_6452

John (left) and Bobby K. working on one of our giant obelisks to be used in the HLS

img_6459

Steve and Vicki decorating trees

img_6460

LP Tree Service was on site all day to put up lights for the HLS – thanks guys!

img_6432

LP Tree Service was on site all day to put up lights for the HLS – thanks guys!

img_6437

meadow rue (Thalictrum sp.) gets some nice fall color too! – perennial

img_6439

‘Tamukeyama’ cutleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – woody tree

img_6462

fall color of ‘P.J.M.’ rhododendron (Rhododendron hybrida) is quite nice – woody shrub