Trip to Madtown

I was at RBG this morning for more focus on spring ordering and organizing the seeds for our growers.  I had a meeting in Madison so went up early to tour Olbrich Botanical Garden which is beautiful any day of the year.  It was a bit early to see anything blooming and remnants of snow and ice were more pronounced there than in Janesville.  However, there was no shortage of interest for the discerning gardener who appreciates the nuances of colorful stems, ornamental bark and the vestiges of the previous season (me!).  Above is ‘Limelight’ panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) still offering interest seven months after it started blooming!  I had a nice stroll and took plenty of photos.  I wasn’t surprised to see many others taking advantage of a 40 degree F day in late February and it was refreshing to see many school groups at the gardens as well.

‘Winter Beauty’ bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) – woody shrub

Cinnamon Flakes™ Chinese birch (Betula chinensis ‘KLMDD’) – woody tree

nice winter containers (above and below)

neat “pollinator hotel”

interesting bark on large seven-sons-flower (Heptacodium miconioides) specimens – woody trees

dried Star of Persia (Allium christophii) that bloomed back in late May of 2017 – used nicely in container

ornamental bark of China Snow™ Peking lilac (Syringa pekinensis ‘Morton’) – woody tree

exfoliating bark of paperbark maple (Acer griseum) – woody tree

colorful winter stems of coralbark willow (Salix alba ‘Britzensis’) – large woody shrub