Recent Olbrich Visit

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We had a little rain overnight which should keep the gardens damp through the cooler weekend.  We had a small crew today with Janice and Larry H. on grounds, Bill O. mowing and Kathy and Eva out tidying up.  Kay was in to tidy her area and Chuck S. did a recycling run.  I’m attending the 2nd Annual Ornamental Grass Day today at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc. (Hebron, IL) which should be fun.  There will be tours, speakers and Brent Horvath, owner of that nursery, has introduced some excellent perennial grasses so I’m very interested in seeing what he has on display.  I’ll post some photos of this experience in a blog tomorrow.

Wednesday evening I traveled up to Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Madison, WI) to attend the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society meeting.  Consider joining this group as they host/provide wonderful seminars, have events, trips, plant sales, etc.  Irvin Etienne from the Indianapolis Museum of Art did a presentation on Nativars (selected varieties of native species) which was very well received.  As with any trip I make up to Olbrich for a presentation, I get there early to check out the gardens.  It had just rained heavily and it was quite cloudy but I was able to take many photos of this excellent garden as the sun was setting.  Olbrich does an excellent job of maintaining and providing strong seasonal interest.  Above is little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) getting some late season color with asters in the background.  This vignette was in their front gravel garden which is extremely colorful right now.  Enjoy the images and make the trip to Olbrich (and RBG) soon if you can!

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kale and cabbage (Brassica) are prominent in their early and late season containers (above and below)

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hairy balls (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) – annual

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‘Dragon’s Breath’ plume celosia (Celosia argentea plumosa) – annual

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‘Gibraltar’ bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) – woody (dies to the ground)

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a portion of the herb garden with late color (above)

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‘Morning Light’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) – perennial

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‘New Zealand Purple’ castor bean (Ricinus communis) – annual

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golden paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera ‘Golden Shadow’) – not hardy (usually)

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I love this little sitting nook!

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‘Fireworks’ rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) – perennial

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fun containers!

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‘Avalanche’ white bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) – woody (dies to the ground)

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bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) with ‘Tara’ prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) – both perennials