We had a bus tour arrive this morning and as they entered the Parker Education Center after my brief (albeit excellent) introduction, they admired this hummingbird art project seen above. I mentioned that the one above was just one of twenty-seven of these beautiful and unique projects. The Garden Art Project has been a great addition to the gardens and the hummingbirds (built by our Grumpies) this year are no exception. The auction on September 9th will offer these for public purchase with the proceeds benefiting the gardens. See our website for more details on this event but in the meantime, come see these beautiful additions to the garden! We are also seeing more “real” hummingbirds out in the garden and they are certainly taking advantage of the Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden.
We had an excellent turnout of volunteers today and while it ended up being hot and sunny, there was a decent breeze at times as well. There were lots of visitors out in the gardens and it’s nice to see visitors enjoying peak summer color. The tour I mentioned above (Racine area) really enjoyed their visit and I think we’ll have some returning guests to the gardens and probably the Holiday Light Show which I also emphasized to my captive audience. Our grounds staff kept busy today with Big John, Terry, Cindy, Larry H., Trevor, Nolan and myself all bouncing between variable duties with everyone accomplishing some bit of watering as well. We continue to primp the garden with the intent of extending the color as far as we can and ultimately until frost in October if possible. I put out a lot of labels today and hope to catch up with some of that work later in the week as well.
the pink border has filled in nicely around our flamingo friends
‘Merlin’s Magic’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – annual
‘Frosty Pink’ angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens) – tropical (fragrant!)
nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) – annual
Pegasus™ begonia (Begonia hybrida ‘Gryphon’) – annual
Our volunteers had a great day as well. Becky (above) worked on re-lettering a bench which takes a very steady hand! Our carpenters (Dave, Jim, Vern and Ron Y.) worked on a wide range of tasks including some repairs on damaged benches and other structures (general wear and tear). Ron P. went out to tidy paths and Ron R. finished cleaning all of our larger garden signs out in the gardens (they look great). Bob C. filled buckets for our looming Fall Plant Sale and Dr. Gredler did his mowing. Maury ran many errands for us and both Dick H. and Dave K. continued to try and repair one of our vehicles. Kathy and Eva did a whole lot of tidying and weeding around the gazebo garden which will feature our Music in the Gardens (Gary the Band) program this Tuesday, August 9th. See our website for more details on this fun opportunity. Larry O. and Hayden had some projects and both Stan and Kristin tidied up in the Japanese garden. We also saw Gary S., Jenny E., Patrea, El and many others today.
Vern (looking surprised as usual…)
Maury (above)
Bob C.
Kathy (left) and Eva (not their first time behind bars…)
Ron P.
Hayden (above)
Dr. Gredler (the Superintendent of Sod)
come see the Giant Aquarium with plants filling out nicely!
the All-America Selections (AAS) display in the entrance garden still looks great!
the formal annual sections are filling out with some nice pastel flowers
blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens) – annual
love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) – annual
this bed of tropicals has filled out nicely near the arboretum!