Nice Rain

Nice shot above of ‘Vanity’ speckled red maple (Acer rubrum) showing some nice coloration.  We had significant rain over the evening including some thunderstorms and heavy precipitation.  Our first order of business was, of course, to clean up debris, repair path washouts and tidy up where needed.  We had some great volunteer assistance and made quick work of tidying up and moved on to a productive day out in the garden.  With chances of rain looming throughout the week, we’ll focus our productive time in the gaps between raindrops as best we can!

Our grounds staff of Larry O., Larry H., Cindy, Big John and Trevor all had a busy day.  Larry O. checked water features, worked on re-graveling a good portion of the yard and continues to do battle with some poor drainage issues around the Horticulture Center property.  Larry H. repaired path washouts and continues to prepare our formal perennial beds for replanting very soon.  This currently involves LOTS of digging.  Cindy tidied up in multiple locations and put in a lot of time in the Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden (and nearby vicinity).  John did a lot more pruning, planting and many additional tasks.  Trevor worked on tidying up the Giant Aquarium, edged along many brick paths and helped with some yard tasks.  I had a wide range of duties including final preparations for the Home Garden Tour this Saturday, July 15th (9 am – 3 pm)….see our website for more details.  Ticket booklets are currently on sale for only $10 each at K&W Greenery or Rotary Botanical Gardens.  Tickets are $12 on the day of the event (children 14 and under are free).

‘Cheyenne Spirit’ coneflower (Echinacea hybrida) – perennial

‘Bottle Rocket’ ligularia (Ligularia hybrida) – perennial

morning light coming through the foliage of Abyssinian banana (Ensete ventricosum) – tropical

variegated fiveleaf aralia (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’) – woody shrub

Quick Fire® panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’) – woody shrub

Our volunteers were excellent today.  Above are Derrick (left) and Ron R. working on trimming some barberries (Berberis thunbergii ‘Royal Cloak’) and tidying up the surrounding gravel driveway.  Kathy and Garrett weeded and tidied in the Potter Daylily Collection then moved to the North point garden for more weeding.  Alan and Bob K. continued their weeding efforts along the outer border near the arboretum which is looking excellent.  Dr. Gredler and Rollie did their mowing rounds.  Stan, Kristin, Greg P. and Cheryl P. converged on the Japanese garden and did an excellent job of tidying and primping.  Vicky and Steve weeded and tidied their assigned garden areas as well.  Jim, Dave, Vern and Ron Y. worked on a wide range of carpentry projects.  Ron P. continues to repair lights for our Holiday Light Show (HLS) with set-up for that event only being about 2 months away!  Gary worked on some new labels while Maury ran errands.  Dick H. worked on some vehicle repairs and headed to the dump a couple of times.  We also saw Mark S., Maryam, Becky, Janice and many others today.

Cindy and Terry

Ron Y. (left) and Jim installing a new screen door

Kathy and Garrett

Bob K. (above)

Alan M. (above)

Invincibelle® Spirit smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA1’) – woody shrub

love both the foliage and flower (above and below) of shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) – perennial

nice mix of South American verbena (Verbena bonariensis) and spider flower (Cleome hassleriana, mix) – North point garden

‘Satisfaction’ Orientpet lily (Lilium hybrida) – perennial (fragrant!!!)

‘Green Envy’ purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – perennial

cool bark of lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) – woody tree

‘Alexander’s Great’ false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) – perennial

lots of fun in and around the Giant Aquarium (above and below) – check it out!