Great Weather – Great Progress

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The weather was again quite nice today with a mix of sun and clouds.  Considering how bad the weather can be in October in terms of temperatures and precipitation, we’ve been lucky to have such a nice sequence of mild days in which to take advantage of out in the gardens.  Our staff and volunteers certainly did just that.  It was nice to see visitors continuing to enjoy the gardens as they head in to some significant fall color.

Big John had some watering and hauling duties today but spent the bulk of his time on HLS work in front of the Parker Education Center.  Cindy also watered and continues with her purge in the Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden.  Janice continued with her decorating efforts for the HLS, worked with the Chestnut House volunteers and had myriad other tasks.  Larry O. had various duties which included a strong focus on starting the set-up for our HLS arches throughout the gardens.  Larry H. continued putting lights on trees throughout the shade garden.  I was able to run more cords and bounce between a couple of other projects.

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‘Royal Flush’ monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii) – perennial

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‘Blazin’ Rose’ bloodleaf (Iresine hybrida) will look nice until frost – annual

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fall color on ‘Popcorn’ doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum) – woody shrub

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fall color on Shantung maple (Acer truncatum) – woody tree

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ornamental bark of the ‘Hallelujah’ lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) – woody tree

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Our talented and dedicated volunteers did an excellent job today.  The convoy above includes Myrt (front left) and Gena in the first cart and Dr. McCoy (back left) and Mary in the second cart.  Patti was off camera doing most of the work as this foursome hauled back more debris from the entrance garden.  Kathy and Eva processed some new LED lights this morning for the Holiday Light Show (HLS) and moved on to clearing plants in the woodland walk garden.  Marv B. tidied up both of his moss areas and Peg was in to work on labels and plant records.  The Chestnut House volunteers did an excellent job of “purging” plants today and their activities can be seen below.

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the Chestnut House volunteers (above and below) did a great job removing annuals and tidying up today!

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Victoria (above)

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our Chestnut House volunteers above

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‘Single Apricot’ perennial mum (Chrysanthemum x rubellum) with a buddy – perennial

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‘Honorine Jobert’ Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) – perennial

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‘Moonshine’ lungwort (Pulmonaria sp.) – perennial

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interesting fall color on ‘Golden Gift’ magnolia (Magnolia hybrida) – woody tree

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fall color on striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) – woody tree

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dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) doesn’t mind the cold  – annual

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Mystic Dreamer dahlia (Dahlia hybrida ‘Zone 10’) – annual

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‘Circus’ coral bells (Heuchera) – perennial