Summer Settles In…

It was another hot day although the gardens are growing beautifully with all the recent rain and now some welcome summer heat. Unfortunately the weeds have matched or in some cases, outmatched, the growth rate of our desired plantings!  Nice shot above of ‘Charlotte’ variegated speedwell (Veronica longifolia) which is a nice full sun perennial.  With the 4th of July looming, we focused on tidying the garden up for hopefully a nice influx of visitors.  The temperatures look warm tomorrow but that isn’t unusual for July.  Our grounds staff consisted of Big John, Shania, Alex, Ibhar and myself today.  We worked on watering, mowing, planting, shearing, tidying and myriad other tasks.  Our volunteers were again extremely helpful, particularly with weeding today.  We saw Kathy P., Eva, Marleen, Kath, Donna, Maury, Bill O., Mirjam, Terri, Sharon L. and many others today.  Another great day.  Some timely rain in the coming days would be ok too as we’ve lucked out so far!

soon to open Invincibelle® Spirit smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA1’) – woody shrub

‘Rainforest Sunrise’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

‘Mountain Snow’ plantain lily (Hosta montana) – perennial

the woodland glen garden is filling in nicely

‘Cupcake Peachy’ ornamental purslane (Portulaca oleracea) – annual

Pegasus® begonia (Begonia hybrida) – annual

Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) – annual

nice shot of the gazebo

compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) – perennial

experimental coneflower (Echinacea hybrida) looking nice – perennial

‘Mighty Pip’ false spirea (Astilbe chinensis) – perennial

Mistral™ Pink begonia (Begonia boliviensis ‘KLEBG16500’) – annual

SunPatiens® Compact Tropical Rose impatiens (Impatiens x hybrida ‘SAKIMP037’) – annual

the new ‘Canary Wings’ begonia (Begonia sp.) with copperleaf (Alternanthera reinickii) and Royal Hawaiian® ‘Black Coral’ elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) – annuals

this three-tiered planter (one of four) is filling in nicely by the Horticulture Center

‘Red Eye Special’ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) – perennial

Mediterranean sea holly (Eryngium bourgatii) – perennial

Hayden and Grandpa Larry!  (Come to Larry’s retirement party at the gardens at 10 am on July 24th!)

sweet new cart donated in memory of a great man (more to follow on that)