Super Productive Friday

We accomplished much today. Neat celosia above (Celosia hybrida 'Bombay Purple') in our Fleuroselect bed. Greg and Rick continued to clear downed trees along our previously flooded shoreline. Justin was off replacing gravel paths that needed freshening. Marv was the irrigation/sprinkler king and kept the gardens nice and damp. It truly is an art form keeping our beds watered while avoiding visitors. Marianne planted another 130+ irises today, watered them in and cataloged them. She also was a whirlwind at myriad other tasks. Janice and I mowed and Janice prepped the sunken garden for weekend weddings and watered a good portion of the yard. Dr. Gredler was also busy mowing and keeping our lawns looking nice. He has also been hauling all of our significant debris to the dump on a regular basis. Kay was in her normal mode of "perpetual motion" and continues to be one of our most dedicated, motivated and energetic volunteer gardeners. She mentored our new volunteer Sara and I am continually amazed by how much she accomplishes and all with a smile (even after I sent her in to the thorny rose beds today....). Shade garden below as pictured today.The celosia above (top picture) is in what I called our Fleuroselect bed. Fleuroselect (founded in 1970 and based in the Netherlands) is (from their website) "the international organization for the ornamental plants industry" that tests and promotes new bedding plants. They are similar in their mission to All-America Selections (founded in 1933 and based out of Downers Grove, IL). Each year we display many of their past and current award winners. What is really neat is that Rotary Gardens is one of only six gardens in North America that are approved to have a Fleuroselect Display. Aside from the lone Canadian garden, other American gardens with Fleuroselect displays include Michigan State, Penn State, University of Illinois, University of Tennessee and Walt Disney World. I think we're in good company and duly proud of our displays. We actually grew 200 Fleuroselect winners in a huge layout in 2005 and they were very pleased with the pictures we sent them.

Very interesting tropical seen below. This is a copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) called 'Sizzle Scissors'. Note the interesting leaf shape with hints of pink along the maroon margin. I think half the fun in having this in the garden is to be able to tell people that you are growing 'Sizzle Scissors!' What?