Momentum Towards Summer Color

The weather has been quite nice this week and today was no exception.  Nice cool mornings do transition to the hotter afternoons with today being quite sunny as well with temperatures in the low 80 degrees F.  That is perfect weather for our summer annuals to really hit stride and the recent rainfall has been helpful as well.  Above is a view from the back porch over the formal gardens.  This is a classic view and looks good in December with our Holiday Lights Show in full effect too!

We had another super duper day of volunteerism with folks coming in throughout the day.  Our morning contingent was quite strong and our grounds staff had a great day too.  Big John worked on rototilling, fertilizing and many odds and ends.  Janice focused on helping keep the volunteers moving around and spent time in the Thomas Jefferson Collection.  She and John also watered containers among other duties.  Nolan did quite a bit of weedwhipping and moved on to fertilizing and some other tasks with John.  I pretty much ran plants around all day and barely kept up with our planters!  Below are some photos I took today.

golden meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’) – perennial
‘Sapphire’ blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) – perennial
blooms of the Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

Above is Ron P. skimming older gravel to replace with fresh gravel.  We do this annually along path edges to freshen up the paths.  Ron was one of many volunteers that helped today (see photos below).  Tasks included weeding, planting, watering, labeling, carpentry and much more.  Thanks to Ron P., Ron R., Bob C., Alan M., Pat M., Bob K., Dave T., Vern, Jim, Maury, Dr. Gredler, Rollie, Chuck S.,  Jenny, Mary W, Roy W., Kathy, Eva, Peg, Vicky, Bonnie, Ron Y., Mary R., Kylie, Kyle, Suzie, Marilyn, Dick, Mary Ann, Ron W. Bev W. and the six volunteers I had from the Bower City Garden Club in the afternoon for planting.  I’m sure I missed a couple people but thanks to all for sure!  Ron W. and Bev W. are moving and we all wished them the best in their future endeavors.  We haven’t seen the last of them and their 9 years of volunteerism have been much appreciated.

 

Dr. Gredler mowing in the sunken garden above
Alan (looking incarcerated) weeding above
Above are Ron R. (driving) and Bob C.
Mary Ann (left) and Janice above
Peg (left) and Mary planting
Marilyn, Suzie, Mary R., Peg and Bonnie all planting
Eva (left) and Kathy weeding the “weedy demon slope”
Bob K., Jim and Dave repairing the deck
Vicky
above and below are six helpful members of the Bower City Garden Club

 

‘Young Lady’ smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) in bloom
‘Pure Silver’ speedwell (Veronica incana) – perennial
meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum) – perennial