Accidents Happen (Unfortunately)

Note the beautiful blue garden phlox above (Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'). This perennial (from Song Sparrow) is mildew resistant and these wonderful blue flower clusters extend thru summer on top of 40" stems.

Today was again very productive despite light showers in the morning. We're winding down with planting and are consolidating all our remaining plants in the yard. The Grumpies were productive as normal and the grounds staff kept busy with myriad tasks. We'll have to seriously shift to weeding in the coming weeks as our regular precipitation has encourage the weeds as well as our plantings. Unfortunately, one of our volunteers slipped while stepping out of one of our beds that she was weeding and cut above her eye and scraped up her shoulder. She is a tough cookie and despite the blood, turned out to be ok. Accidents do happen but hopefully not very often. Marilyn will be back soon and we wish her the best. We'll leave her weeds there for her return as there is not shortage....
Another nice coneflower is pictured to the left. This is Echinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite' that is the offspring of three parents. At 18" tall or so, this dwarf coneflower has lots of summer "flower power". This is another nice introduction from Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

To the right is the 'Ghost' fern which is an awesome cross between the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) and the Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum). It has the wonderful silvering of the painted fern and the stature of the lady fern at 24" in height.