Good Working Weather

Above is the fall color of the three-flowered maple (Acer triflorum). Native to Northern China, Manchuria and Korea, this small statured maple (25-30' tall) has few insect and disease problems. Ornamental features, aside from the orange fall color, include interesting, trifoiate leaves and reddish, exfoliating bark. The weather today, although a bit brisk in the morning, was great for working out in the gardens. We had a great crew working throughout the day. Some Grumpies worked on carpentry tasks and helped over at the visitors center. Others helped clear leaves and perennial foliage from select areas. Rick and Tony topdressed the entire north path with a fresh layer of fine gravel and did a great job. Jerry continued to clean up debris and worked on shaping and cutting back woody specimens. Larry and I both worked on holiday lights preparations and Janice worked with various volunteers and cleared lots of debris (with Marilyn and Glenna) from the garden. Marianne came in as a volunteer to process new LED lights which was very helpful. Lots of great help today!
Above and to the left is another ornamental grass picture that I took at Boerner Botanical Gardens yesterday. This is the variegated silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus') which "plumes" out very late but has a wonderful contribution of vertically striped foliage during the growing season. This grass tends to arch over and should be divided every 3-5 years. Miscanthus universally prefers full sun but I've successfully used this variety in part shade, particularly where it gets hot afternoon sun but morning shade.

To the right is another neat toad lily (Tricyrtis formosana 'Dark Beauty') that I was unfamiliar with until yesterday! I was smitten by not only its late blooms (expected) but by it's flower power. There was a grouping of three specimens (36" tall) in a partly shaded location. The dark purple spotting on the orchid-like, creamy flower petals give this plant its namesake. I'll be ordering some of these for Rotary Gardens. The risk is that an early hard frost would knock these down, but oh, the rewards.... The image on the bottom is the fall color of the native little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). This is the variety 'The Blues' (48" tall) which has superior blue summer color and looks amazing this time of year as well.