Tuesday Adventure

After working yesterday morning, I headed up north with the ultimate destination visiting my old stomping grounds of Little Chute, WI (near Appleton).  My first job out of college (1993) was at the Vande Hey Company, Inc. working in their garden center and doing smaller scaled landscape designs.  They asked me to do a presentation last night and I was happy to get back up there and connect with Terry, Linda, Scooby, Todd, Andy and many others that have been there since the time I left back in 1994.  The presentation went well and it was interesting to see the scope of the operation which has increased dramatically.  There is still lots of development and new houses up in that area and landscape maintenance continues to be highly sought after by many.

My trip though, took me on an enjoyable visit first to Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Madison, WI) where I enjoyed the gardens and ran in to Jeff, Samara and Philip out working in the gardens.  I rarely escape RBG in May so took LOTS of photos and really enjoyed exploring the entire garden.  I’ve gone through Olbrich for over 20 years and saw some interesting plants I had not noticed in the past.  I then visited Green Bay Botanical Gardens and caught significant color as well.  As I drove north, it was exciting to see that the increasing latitude revealed the continuation of significant color from bulbs and other early bloomers (crabapples, magnolias, etc.) that are past peak in our area of the state.  Needless to say, it was another great visit.

I didn’t get out in the gardens much today and arrived back late this morning.  I did see Kathy P., Eva, Barb, Gena, Sue M., Nancy, Myrt, Jim H., three RECAPPERS, Barb C. and many others.  We also saw Maryam, Becky and lots of pop in visitors!  The grounds staff of Larry O., Trevor and Bobby K. all had a very busy day to say the least.  Heavy rains coming sporadically over the coming days….

Olbrich Botanical Gardens – Herb Garden above and below

neat lettuce (Lactuca) display

Jeff Epping, Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, showing off his carpentry skills

‘Yellow Bird’ magnolia (Magnolia x brooklynensis) – woody tree

one of many peony (Paeonia) varieties at peak bloom right now (most not showing color yet!)

lots of interesting art installations out around the gardens

shade border featuring ‘All Gold’ golden Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) – perennial

‘Atropurpurea’ purple English oak (Quercus robur) – woody tree

Green Bay Botanical Garden was really at spring peak during my visit (above and all below)

awesome conifer garden (above)

neat fairy garden

“Hobbit-style” bathroom

new amphitheater being developed!