A Pleasant Day Overall

Above is drooping sedge (Carex flagellifera 'Toffee Twist') hiding amongst 'Saturn' coleus (Solenostemon scutellerioides). With looming frost this weekend, both of these plants may be "toast" by Monday but have been good partners all summer. Great day today with sun and blue skies. The temperature was around 63 and quite pleasant. Marianne, Janice and Terry were gone today so Marv, Larry and I were the grounds staff although Little Jerry popped in for a bit. Marv worked on converting containers to fall plantings, removing annuals, composting, rototilling, watering and eventually working on his huge composting projects. Larry worked on water features, put in tree signs and planted shrubs. I worked on various odds and ends and did get out in the gardens a bit as well. To the left is more 'Fat Spike' amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) blooming above the seed capsules of 'Carmencita Pink' castor bean (Ricinus communis). We all realize how fleeting these compositions are when Mother Nature heads in to winter dormancy.

The Grumpies had another very productive day with Ed and Terry removing the rest of our beans while Gary and Ron hauled mums and helped clear another annual berm. Many guys (Roger, Charlie, Ron, Del and Bill) worked clearing brush from an overgrown area along our shoreline while others collected debris from around the gardens. John helped Larry plant shrubs while Mary helped remove annuals as well. The carpenters kept busy as well and we saw Dave and Mary H. come in to work on their garden as well. Overall, a great day to get a lot of work accomplished out there. Dr. Gredler also helped with mowing and many runs to the dump with debris.

I ran to a local nursery today and picked up a neat weeping white pine (Pinus strobus) called 'Angel Falls'. It has such a neat form and as we head in to winter, I appreciate the large collection of conifers that we have out in the gardens as anchors, focal points, winter interest, etc. I love the golden spruce (Picea orientalis 'Skylands') in front of the building as seen to the right and if the deer can stay away this winter, our conifer collection will have another healthy year under its belt. Despite the date on the calendar, some perennials are still doing well out there, particularly the Japanese anemone seen below. This is Anemone hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' that looks awesome right now and loves the recent moisture.