Lots of Photo Moments Today!

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It was a warm and sunny day and most of this week looks unseasonably warm despite some showers we’ll see later in the week. The morning was cooly comfortable but it became quite hot out in the sun today with temperatures in the lower 80 degrees F or so.  The Rock’s tree peony (Paeonia rockii) seen above is peaking today with these 12″ diameter flowers that are so beautiful.  It was another crazy Monday with lots of activity out in the gardens in particular.  Our grounds staff of Larry H., Cindy, Terry, Big John, Trevor, Nolan and I all kept busy with a wide range of tasks out in the gardens.  We were “lifting” tulips, pressure washing, weeding, watering, pruning, shearing, etc.  Everyone had a wide range of duties and the gang is always flexible during the day. Janice was in to close out the compost sale from the weekend.  The Compost Sale does extend over the next Saturday, May 28th (8 am until 12 noon).  Our volunteers included Alan M., Dave T., Jim D., Vern, Ron Y., Gene, Dick H., Ron P., Bill O., Dr. Gredler, Ron R., Lloyd, Urban, Stan, Kristin, Cheryl P., Karen M., new Steve, Maury, Gary, Kathy, Eva, Shirley, Larry O. and many others.  Lots of work was done with the Giant Aquarium today!  Yesterday (Sunday), Marcia and Mirjam did some major work in the English cottage garden and our Sunday watering team of Jim, Carol, Barb, Tammy and Sue were all very helpful!  Our volunteers and staff really do pull together nicely to get through this tough time of year.

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‘Toba’ hawthorn (Crataegus x mordenensis) – woody tree

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blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum lentago) in bloom – large shrub / small tree

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‘Burgundy Lace’ Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) – perennial

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red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) – woody tree (great for hummingbirds!)

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tricolor European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseomarginata’) – woody tree

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Shirley H. (above) was smiling until I placed 200 plants for her (see below)!  She tackled most of these!)

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Lloyd (left) and Ron were mulching in between naps

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Larry O. helped water the yard (lots!) both Saturday and today!

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some of the Grumpies (Larry, Dave, Ron Y., Jim D., Vern, Maury and others) kept busy on the Giant Aquarium

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cattail iris (Iris typhifolia) – perennial

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‘Paltec’ hybrid iris (Iris hybrida) – perennial

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fragrant abelia (Abelia mosanensis) – woody shrub

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variegated weigela (Weigela florida ‘Variegata’) – woody shrub

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‘New Moon’ globe flower (Trollius x cultorum) above – perennial