Summer Settles In Nicely

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Last night we had about 1″ of rain come down which was fortuitous in that, coupled with an 80 degree F weekend, we should be good for moisture for a bit.  We didn’t have to do any watering today at all!  We did have a great volunteer crew show up to help out and the grounds staff kept busy in a day that was about 10 degrees F cooler than yesterday with a lot less humidity.  Above is a shot in the sunken garden (this morning) looking up to the old Parker Pen archway and reception garden beyond.  With three weddings on Saturday, we had some clean up today but that’s not unusual after some rain.

Larry H. was in early to repair path washouts and moved on to edging work and more tidying.  Nolan weeded, mowed, helped clear pond debris and did some “blower rounds.”  Trevor also mowed and helped clean-up the pond near the gazebo.  He also tidied up the Giant Aquarium and helped with path clean up later.  Janice did the cutting display, serious work in the Heirloom Garden and tropical garden and helped with some other tidying projects as well.  Cindy was a “tidying machine” today and continues to keep the terrace garden and Hummingbird Haven theme in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children’s Garden looking spectacular.  I worked on a wide range of non-gardening projects related to looming events like our Fall Plant Sale, the monthly lecture series, Fall Symposium and our Holiday Light Show (HLS).

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‘Kilimanjaro’ Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata) – annual

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‘Royal Purple’ zinnia (Zinnia elegans) – annual (1942 All-America Selections winner)

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cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – perennial

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King Tut® papyrus (Cyperis papyrus) is a great centerpiece in the container above

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Main Street Oxford Street™ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – annual

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Our volunteers continue to be an amazing asset.  We had some great help today.  Above are Larry O. and Hayden (driving) at the Horticulture Center where they had a wide range of projects after they went on “branch patrol” after the storm last night.  Kathy and Eva worked on weeding the sunken garden and both tidying and planting out in the entrance garden.  They were joined by Cheryl D. who is an excellent gardener (and former groundsperson!).  Kay worked her clean-up “kung fu” in the upper woodland walk garden which she has focused on all week.  The results are exceptional.  Kristin tidied up the Japanese garden for much of the day and Bill O. did his mowing rounds.  Jan R. did a nice job gardening in the Scottish garden; her assigned garden.  Chuck tidied up and prepared our mobility impaired tour cart in preparation for a weekend tour and we also saw Rose, Big John, Jackie R. and many others today.

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Kathy (above)

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Eva (above)

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Kay (above) with her winning smile

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Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) is looking gorgeous as usual – annual

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Cone-Fections‘Milkshake’ double white coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – perennial

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scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) – annual

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Our digital marquee and front entrance sign (donated by the Morning Rotary Club a couple years ago) has some very timely information as seen in this series of shots.  Do check out our website for more details on all of these events! – above is Follow us on Facebook!

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Ornamental Grasses lecture (by me) on August 30th!

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Music in the Gardens (next Tuesday!)

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come see our Hummingbird Garden Art Projects (all 27!) – the auction of these is September 9th!

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Love in Bloom (next Sunday, August 14th) – Wedding Expo!

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Hummingbird Lecture on August 25th!

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our multi-color entrance garden is still holding some nice color!