Elusive Frost

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Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t mind if frost has missed us thus far.  Mother Nature has dabbled with some evening temperatures near 34 degrees F over the last couple of weeks and despite some light frost on the turf, the “killing frost” has yet to appear.  The mornings are certainly cooler and we’re all excited about some much needed precipitation tonight through tomorrow.  We’ve removed quite a large portion of our annuals and are cutting back most perennials in anticipation of more Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up which is quite significant.  Fall color continues to progress including on our perennials like the ‘Sweet Tea’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) seen above.  We had a stellar batch of volunteers today working on gardening tasks as well as HLS duties.  Our grounds staff continues to make the most of every day with a similar “balancing act” of tasks.

Cindy hauled out and placed more luminaries and started running lights between these 1/2 gallon, re-purposed milk jugs that will line almost the entire route of the HLS.  Cindy also had some gardening and other tasks.  After watering containers, Larry H. continued putting lights on more trees with a strong focus on those with interesting form that will look great at night, accented by lights.  Big John and Bobby K. continue to bond and spent most of the day pounding stakes and getting our newly donated trees (thanks Sunset Acres Tree Farm in Stoughton!) up and ready for decoration.  I ran cords for about 3 hours but was pulled in some other directions too as we prepare for our upcoming 2017 budget year.

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fall color on Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum) – woody tree

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‘Solar Eclipse’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) – perennial

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some of the sugar maples (Acer saccharum) in more shade are just starting to get some nice fall color! – woody tree

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We know it’s a good day when all of our carts are in use.  Above are Marleen (driving) and Magda (scowling at me as usual).  The ladies tidied up their assigned garden area although quite a bit of their border is still very colorful and may last a couple more weeks.  Kathy and Eva tidied up in two different areas and Jenny was in for more tidying in the Hosta Hollow; the garden she and Dave maintain.  Alan helped put new LED lights on some new arches.  Vicki and Steve cleared more plants out of a large area and brought back many loads of debris.  Both Bill O. and Dr. Gredler were in for mowing duties and we also saw Pam, Maryam, Maury, Gary and Pete K.  Nancy was in for some painting and Vern did some work on projects as well.

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Alan (above)

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Eva (left) and Kathy P.

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Nancy (above) continuing her painting project!

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Steve and Vicki

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King Tut® papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) – not hardy…note the colorful cords in the background!

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late season mums are still hanging in there!

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containerized Red Monarchwitch alder (Fothergilla x intermedia ‘KLMFIFTEEN’) will be part of our silent auction at our upcoming Fall Symposium (still time to register!)

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sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) tubers from our containers..edible but maybe not tasty!

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the Japanese garden (above) looks exceptional right now…the tree in the distance (seen below too) is ‘Aconitifolium’ fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum) – woody tree

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fall color on ‘Royal Cloak’ European smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) – large woody shrub

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I was amused by this guy today (sunken garden)…who seems displeased with that vine growing up his nose!

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Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is getting some nice fall color – woody vine