Squeaked Out Most of a Day!

I came to work today thinking we would have a mostly rainy day.  I was delighted that we had sunshine and a fairly nice day until about 2 pm when the rain started.  We “squeaked out” a pretty good day out in the gardens which continue to look beautiful.  Above is the ‘Sweet Kate’ golden spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana) looking nice and bright before the blue blossoms appear.

 

We had a skeleton crew for staff today with just Bobby K., Trevor and me but we managed and had a wonderful influx of talented volunteers.  With our second volunteer workday tomorrow (8 am – 12 noon), I spent much of my time hauling plants to three areas in anticipation of a good turnout.  We never know how many volunteers we’ll get but we hope to have a good showing and I believe the weather currently looks favorable.  Bobby K. worked on some of our new signs and spent quite a bit of time in the Giant Aquarium.  He has been working with Barb on the layout and securing elements in that area and nearby (see below!).  Trevor hauled plants, did blower rounds and did quite a bit of rototilling as well.

‘Silk Tassel’ sedge (Carex morrowii) – perennial

Gold Bullion™ pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia ‘Bachone’) – woody tree

chives (Allium schoenoprasum) in the Heirloom Garden

Our volunteers had a great day out in the gardens.  Above are Marleen (left) and Magda in their garden space.  The ladies did a nice job weeding and planting.  Kathy P., Eva and Cathy F. all worked together on weeding and tidying two garden locations.  Mirjam, Marcia and her two grandsons (directly below) did some work in the English cottage garden.  Steve was in to do some planting and Kay also planted perennials in her area along with plenty of weeding and tidying.  Elaine continues to cut back and collect spring debris from the woodland walk garden.   We also saw Dr. Gredler, Mark S., Judy L. and many others today.

Marcia with grandsons

Bobby K. (above) was hanging out with penguins and a polar bear today!

Eva (left) and Kathy P.

Cathy F.

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

‘Java Red’ weigela (Weigela florida) – woody shrub

bright and showy “Sun King’ Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata) – perennial

‘Tidal Wave’ weeping katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) – woody tree

snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) – perennial

yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) in the Scottish Garden – perennial