Summer Muscle Returns

 

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Trevor (above) and Nolan (below) were back in action today after finishing their freshman year at UW-Whitewater.  The guys helped last summer and really become a vital part of the team.  We didn’t waste any time getting the fellas involved with some heavy duty work.  Trevor worked on hauling and spreading compost, hauling sand and cleaning the pond.  Nolan planted and staked over 30 bananas (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’) before helping clean the pond as well with Trevor.  The rest of our excellent, veteran staff had plenty to do today.  Terry, John and Cindy all had trips out to pick up plants and Larry worked on a wide range projects including hauling/spreading compost and doing the same with some sand.    Terry also helped with the Giant Aquarium, sheared and did some projects with John who was also involved with the bananas and draining the sunken pool for some repairs.  Cindy tidied in multiple areas and was our primary watering person in the yard which continues to fill quickly with plants. Recent cold evenings necessitated moving many plants under cover which we’ll continue to do for a couple more days.  I was able to spot locations for tree/shrub planting and did my first round of herbicide spraying on this sunny (but cool) day.  It was an uber-productive day…see some of our many volunteers further below….

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‘Sunrise Falls’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) – perennial

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‘Sweet Tea’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) – perennial

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‘Solar Eclipse’ foamy bells (xHeucherella) – perennial

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‘June Fever’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

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‘Ghost’ hybrid painted fern (Athyrium hybrida) – perennial

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‘Rosea’ pink lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) – perennial

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chocolate root (Geum rivale) – perennial

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shooting stars (Dodocatheon meadia) – perennial

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Despite how confused Dick P. (above left) and Dick H. look in this photo, they were on top of their game with repairing this backing board for a vehicle and the guys moved on to Giant Aquarium work with Dave T. and Vern.  Alan M. painted all day (many objects) while Dr. Gredler mowed and painted.  Kathy and Eva (directly below) did a nice job weeding multiple locations and both Stan and Kristin worked in and near the Japanese garden with Karen and Cheryl P.   Gary was a sign making machine and had help from Bev D. who also worked with Deb G. on organizing our super neat 2016 Garden Art Project display  Maury ran lots of errands and started work to prepare for the installation of a new metal sculpture.  We also saw Rollie, Bill O. and many others today.

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Kathy (left) and Eva

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Alan (above and below) did a lot of painting today (below is “coral” for the Giant Aquarium – originally a branch from a burning bush!)

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Dave T., Vern, Dick P. and Dick H. worked on the Giant Aquarium today

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‘Blue Danube’ wild hyacinth (Camassia leicthlinii) – perennial

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fiveleaf akebia or chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) – woody vine