Olbrich in August

Today was a muggy one outside and the threat of rain never became serious beyond some sprinkles.  We had a busy day at the gardens with the grounds staff of Cindy, Big John, Terry, Larry H., Alex, Ibhar and myself bouncing between projects.  This time of year is truly a juggling event with plant sale preparations, gardening tasks and Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up (started by Larry H. already!). Volunteers included Kathy P., Eva, Ron R., Alan, Dick P., Dick H., Maury, Ron Y., Dave, Steve, Jim, Vern, Dr. Gredler, Kristin, Stan and others I likely missed as half my day was spent in Madison, WI.  I had some meetings and took the time to check out Olbrich Botanical Gardens which looked great although they have suffered through heavy rains recently with some of the gardens currently flooded.  Nice shot above of flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata) in one of their many gravel gardens.  I’m glad we watered a bit today as Monday rains were passing but Tuesday looks promising!  Plants for our fall plant sale will begin arriving later this week with the sale starting later next week.

nice border with cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) and elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta)

‘Medusa’ ornamental onion (Allium sp.) – perennial

Pat Austin™ English rose ( Rosa ‘AUSmum’) – woody shrub

succulent container

one of my favorite little “nooks” at OBG

‘Little Henry’ sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) – perennial

always beautiful herb garden (above and below)

cool “sculptural re-use” of a dead crabapple (Malus) in the herb garden

‘Red Foliated’ upland cottton (Gossypium hirsutum) – annual

‘Hot Lips’ turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) – perennial

big patch of Korean angelica (Angelica gigas) – biennial

‘Rio Grande’ hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) – perennial

‘Little Honey’ golden oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) – woody shrub

‘Skywalker’ Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) – perennial

neat, new rock pyramid – have seen these at Northwind Perennial Farm (Burlington, WI) too!

weeping katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendulum’) – woody tree

lush seasonal border

‘Looking Glass’ false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) – perennial

Crimson Fans mukdenia (Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’) – perennial

cool 2×4 sculpture – I believe part of their GLEAM exhibition (go see it!)

agave centerpiece!