Seems Like Autumn!?

The mornings have a definite “chill” to them this week!  As we continue to rake more leaves daily, we are getting that “hint of autumn” in the air and also continue to remove spent annuals and tidy up as needed.  Nice shot directly above of ‘Blondo’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) in the main parking lot.  As I was putting up signs for our Fall Plant Sale this morning (continues Saturday from 8 am until 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm!), I was able to check out the gardens and while color is still abundant, we’ve passed our summer peak and will start to get more interest from ornamental grasses, late season perennials and fall color is likely not to far away.  Our grounds staff of Cindy, Larry H., Alex and Ibhar all had duties out in the gardens as Janice and I worked in the plant sale.  Grounds volunteers included Kathy P., Eva and Dennis.  Bob D. brought three RECAPPERS and the group worked on leaf raking out in the gardens and watering in the plant sale.  We also had many wonderful volunteers helping at the sale today which saw steady traffic.

neat mix in our pastel theme (above)

‘Frosted Explosion’ annual switchgrass (Panicum amarum) – annual

Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus, not sure on variety…) – woody plant

‘Tricolor’ sage (Salvia officinalis) – tender perennial (z5)

‘Sylphid’ plume celosia (Celosia plumosa) – annual

variegated giant reed (Arundo donax ‘Versicolor’) – annual

‘Flower Tower’ tall tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris) – perennial

‘Ping Pong Lavender’ globe amaranth (Amaranthus globosa) – annual

‘Flamingo Feather Pink’ wheat celosia (Celosia spicata) – annual

neat unplanned combo of bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Dulce’) with South American verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

big patch of ‘Profusion Mango’ zinnias (Zinnia hybrida) – annual

‘Raiche Form’ wood aster (Aster divaricatus) – perennial

fruits of Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) – perennial

yellow waxy bells (Kirengeshoma palmata) – perennial

colorful border at the gazebo garden (above) maintained by volunteers Dylan and Flannery

Pegasus® hybrid begonia (Begonia hybrida ‘Gryphon’) – annual