Gloomy Day – Lots Accomplished!

Above is another fall color shot of some Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) looking good on the Rath Environmental Center brick.  Fall color is still quite nice out in the gardens which were overcast today with plenty of rain and drizzle this morning.  We were able to address some significant indoor projects this morning at the Horticulture Center with many of them related to our Holiday Light Show (HLS).  The rain was gone by late morning but it was simply chilly and damp out in the gardens.  We had a nice volunteer turnout and had a productive day and were happy for the beneficial (and timely) rain!

fall color of Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum)
 fall color of ‘Royal Purple’ smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)
 fall color of ‘Green Mountain’ sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
 the prairie looks good and was used today for education

Our volunteers today included Eva (peeling labels inside) and both Patrea and Ron P. repairing lights for the HLS.  Above (left to right) are Nancy, Patty and Gena peeling labels this afternoon.  We also saw Dr. Gredler, El, Maury, Dick P., Gary and many others today.  The indoor progress with these projects was much appreciated.

The grounds staff started inside with various projects but moved outside once the drizzle disappeared.  Big John and Terry retrieved and tested many of our LED displays inside and later hauled them out in the gardens and installed them for the HLS. The guys bounced between both indoor and outdoor projects.  Cindy worked on processing labels while Bob K. prepared arches for the HLS, went on a supply run and repaired the lights on one of our trailers.  Larry H. had some early indoor projects but later went out in the gardens to install more lights in various locations.  I caught up on desk work and had plenty of meetings.

I had a presentation on “Bulbs in the Landscape” last night at Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Madison, WI) which went well.  As always, I try to get up there early and beat sunset for some photography and was happy to catch not only some late season color (above and below) but some of the art installations for their GLEAM – Art in a New Light exhibit.  I really enjoyed the gardens and these art pieces although unfortunately GLEAM is done after this Friday, October 30th.

 

 

 rearview mirrors through prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

 

 sculpture near the bridge to the Thai Garden