Unseasonably Nice, Again!

img_6737

The fog was heavy again this morning.  This black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) seen above looked “eerily cool” this morning in the driving range across from the Horticulture Center.  It was fairly chilly until noon and then it warmed up nicely and we saw quite a few folks out in the gardens.  It’s interesting to hear them say, “You’re already setting up the Holiday Light Show?”.  The answer is that we started this process over 10 weeks ago!  We’re in our last couple of frantic weeks finishing things up before Thanksgiving.  We had some great volunteer help today and the staff worked on Holiday Light Show tasks but also lots of tidying before our Fall Symposium tomorrow which has continued to have an increased attendance number daily (almost 160!).

Larry H. push mowed and put up lights and HLS related items all day.  Larry O. also did some mowing (hopefully our last of the year) and continued his work putting up the Olsen Pavilion.  Big John had various HLS duties and helped others along with doing his share of the push mowing as well. Cindy helped prepare for the Fall Symposium tomorrow and was a “Tidal Wave of Tidying” out in the gardens and particularly near the Parker Education Center.  Bobby K. helped with numerous HLS tasks including running more “juice” out in the gardens.  Janice was in to help prepare for the Symposium later in the afternoon and aside from some meetings, I was slinging more cords for the HLS.  It was a great day out there today and next week looks pretty nice as well.

img_6724

the red oaks (Quercus rubra) near the Horticulture Center are looking excellent right now

img_6725

fall color on Korean mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) – woody tree (in my neighborhood, had to share!)

img_6740

the fall color on three-flower maple (Acer triflorum) continues to get more brilliant daily – woody tree

img_6742

‘Viridis’ cutleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – woody tree

img_6744

start of fall color on Royal Raindrops® crabapple (Malus hybrida ‘JFS-KW5’) – woody tree

img_6745

‘Blondo’ Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) in the background – perennial

img_6750

Larry H. (above) worked on getting this “photo opportunity” wreath in place for the HLS among other duties.  I was remiss in my photos of our excellent volunteers today but they included Kathy, Eva, Cheryl D., Kristin, Bill O., Maury F. and many others.  Tasks for most of this crew revolved around tidying up the gardens before the busy weekend.  It was a nice day for some fresh air and we’ll take these unseasonable days because we know they’ll be fleeting!

img_6748

‘Kumson’ variegated greenstem forsythia (Forsythia viridissima var. koreana) – woody shrub

img_6751

‘October Skies’ aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius) still blooming well – perennial

img_6753

‘Glamour Red’ kale (Brassica oleracea) continues to get better color daily! – annual

img_6757

fall color on our oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) is starting to darken up nicely! – woody shrub

img_6759

fall color on ‘White Tigress’ striped maple (Acer tegmentosum) – woody tree

img_6762

fall color on Crimson Spire™ upright oak (Quercus robur x Q. alba ‘Crimschmidt’) – woody tree

img_6766

fall color on weeping European larch (Larix decidua ‘Pendula’) – woody tree

img_6767

excellent fall color right now on our sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – woody tree

img_6770

fall color on ‘Green Mountain’ sugar maple (Acer saccharum) – woody tree