Sunshine Before the Rain

While the day started out chilly and breezy, we ended up with a classic autumn day with sunshine, blue skies and temperatures ultimately around 60 degrees F.  The forecast looks like there is a chance of rain over the entire next eight days which is a bummer!  We’ll see what happens.  We had a super turnout of volunteers today as I imagine they have seen the upcoming weather as well and took advantage of a beautiful day.  Nice shot above of ‘Dark Beauty’ toad lily (Tricyritis formosana) just starting to bloom in the gazebo garden.  There is still some fabulous color out in the gardens. Our grounds crew of Alex, Terry, John, Larry H., Janice and I all had wide ranging duties with a heavy focus on Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up. Our elite volunteer crew consisted of Kathy P., Eva, Marleen, Alan, Bob K., Dr. Gredler, Rollie, Bill O., Dave K., Vern, Dave, Jim, Ron Y., Steve J., Steve E., Lisa I., Kay, Kristin and many others.  The “Green Team” (formerly the Chestnut House Volunteers) were also on site and did an awesome job on multiple projects this morning.

Durango® Flame French marigold (Tagetes patula ‘PAS2254’) – annual

nice fall color on shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) – perennial

the formal annual sections are still going strong (above)

nasturtiums (Tropaeolum sp.) are still thriving and don’t mind October! – annual

‘Dreadlocks’ love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) – annual

‘Rambo Red’ garden salvia (Salvia splendens) – annual

woodland tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) – annual

‘Blue Armor’ kale (Brassica oleracea) – annual (my new favorite kale!)

the tulips (Tulipa) have arrived!

November 3rd Fall Symposium coming soon – see our website for details on the event and how to register!

Bob (left) and Alan

the “Green Team” had many projects today including counting and bagging bulbs for planting out in the gardens

Steve (left) and Alex did a great job processing our bananas for storage today! (see above and below)

variegated shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’) – annual

cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) – annual

‘Crystal Apple’ cucumber (Cucumis sativus) – annual – Plants of the World Collection

‘Red Shield’ annual hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) – annual

a bench with a view (in Memory of Karen McKaig) in the Japanese garden

the moss was looking nice and vivid today!