The Smiles of Children!

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Today was another delightful day of sunshine and temperatures right around 70 degrees F.  This patch of ‘Purple Sensation’ ornamental onions (Allium) seen above sure looked nice today with those spheres floating along the outer fence line.  Today was another busy one with lots of grounds staff and volunteers coming and going.  There were myriad projects happening today and we also fit in a plant pick up and another delivery.(Bailey Nursery) arrived as well.  There was lots of work happening out at the Giant Aquarium, out in the gardens and at the Horticulture Center.  We saw an enthusiastic group of kids out in the gardens for the Plant Program orchestrated by our excellent education volunteers.  With a looming Volunteer Work Day this Saturday (8 am – 12 noon), we’re getting ready for a nice turnout and will plant as much as possible.

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our double tiered cart is ready to roll out in to the gardens tomorrow

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Serious Black™ ground clematis (Clematis recta ‘Lime Close’) – perennial

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variegated horseradish (Armoracia rusticanica ‘Variegata’) – perennial

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meadow rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium ‘Alba’) – perennial

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lots of fun going on above with the Plant Program!

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Our volunteers had a very busy day. Above is Alan spray painting the contorted stems of Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’) which will now become colorful “coral” in our Giant Aquarium.  Alan also worked on weeding and mulching in the arboretum.  Below are (left to right) Eva, Sandi and Kathy.  The ladies, along with Peg (second photo down), were weeding and planting in the sunken garden in preparation for a wedding this Saturday in that gardens space.  Cheryl D. (third photo down) continued weeding in a nightmarish area that she has now reclaimed!  Dick P. and new Grumpy Steve had work in the Giant Aquarium while Ron R. and Bob C. (see further below) worked on lots of mulching.  Dave, Vern and Ron Y. had plenty of work and both Dr. Gredler and Rollie were out mowing.  We also saw Maury, Gary, Jim D., Mary Kay, Maryam P. and many others today.  It was a very busy day and kudos to our excellent education volunteers for all of their efforts as well.

 

Cindy worked on tidying the front entrance garden and did a whole lot of watering in a yard that is almost bursting with our plants yet to go in the ground!  Larry H. was a composting whirlwind and helped load up the truck for dump runs and had a plant run with Alan this morning.  Nolan and Trevor did an excellent job rototilling the massive entrance garden for planting this Saturday and moved on to push mowing duties.  I was able to stage some plants for installation in the sunken garden and spent many hours in the yard sorting and organizing plants for planting this weekend and throughout next week.

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Eva, Sandi and Kathy (left to right)

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Peg (above)

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Cheryl D. (above)

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Ron R. (left) and Bob C. (both leaning on their forks as you might notice..)

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bloody dock (Rumex sanguineus ssp. sanguineus) – perennial

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Swiss columbine (Aquilegia alpina) – perennial

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‘Majeste’ lungwort (Pulmonaria) – perennial

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The Giant Aquarium is headed towards planting, sand, fish and being filled with water (not really) by next week!