The Winds Arrive!

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I ran out of steam last night to finish the blog but all of these photos were from Friday.  The day was quite mild again although we had a period of rumbling thunder followed by a brief rain shower around 10 am.  The winds began to pick up steadily as the temperature dropped and rain moved East.  However, we had a very productive day with a small crew.  Above is the intense fall color on golden Japanese orixa (Orixa japonica ‘Aurea’).  It always amazes me how much color and interest there is out in the November garden and I hope folks will enjoy the details of their own landscapes as we head in to the winter season.  We were able to get closer to finishing our Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up which should be complete by Monday.  Our gardening season will come to a close once the snow flies but we still have plenty of work to do out there!

Big John, Larry H., Cindy and I worked on HLS projects throughout the day and will put final touches on this event Monday before we start the testing and tweaking process.  Our volunteers consisted of Eva, Kathy, Alan, Ron P., Dr. Gredler and a couple of others.

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weeping European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’) with morning light – woody tree

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fall color on some of our shrub roses (Rosa rugosa) – woody shrub

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the wind was really blowing through these ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) – perennial

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‘Blue Cloak’ white fir (Abies concolor) – woody tree

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work on the new flagstone patio in the English cottage garden (see above) should be complete Monday – note Larry H. in the center putting up lights on that tree

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There was a lot of inside decorating at the Parker Center as well on Friday including Terry M., Sandi, Kelly, Carol, Jim and many staff members (Polly, Mark S. Becky, Chris, Maryam, Pam, etc.) along with two RECAPPERS.  The progress was astounding and we appreciate everyone’s time today.

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Larry H. (on ladder) adding more screws to this set-up which was moving around a lot in the wind

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fall color on ‘Blue Sparkler’ American larch (Larix laricina) – woody shrub

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seed heads of Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) – perennial vine

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‘Peve Minaret’ compact bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) – woody tree

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fall color on Pacific Sunset® hybrid maple (Acer truncatum x A. platanoides ‘Warrenred’) – woody tree

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Rosehill® English oak (Quercus robur ‘Asjes’) – woody tree

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‘Skyracer’ tall moor grass (Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea) – perennial

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garlic mustard (Alliara petiolata) stays green all winter – pull it now!