We had a great crew here today. It was a very well-attended Grumpy day today (see Gary and Pat above joy-riding in the new Gator...). The weather was again beautiful although I hope the possible rain tonight becomes a reality. We're actually running irrigation today to keep things damp
and fresh. Larry bounced between projects while Little Jerry worked in the Japanese garden. Janice organized some things in the hort center, weeded and worked with her youth group on potting up some transplants that came in a couple days ago. Ron, Del, Charlie, Gary, Pat, Bob, Roger a
nd Bill all worked on spreading shredded bark mulch and/or compost throughout the course of the morning. Lots of vehicles running materials around the garden. Dick H., Big John and Dick P. started some preparation for the new fence extension that will be started on Monday. Dick P. also helped resolve an issue we're having with our automatic gates. Maury was also a jack-of-all-trades today too. Dr. Gredler was out mowing and we had Shirley here weeding the iris beds. Vern, Jim and Bob A. worked on putting up a new arbor structure in the wishing well garden and we also saw Dave, Bob, Donna, Geesje and many others. It was a truly a crazy day. Jumbo Jim and four RECAPPERS worked on cleaning out water features which is a tough but essential task. I was able to get outside and walk the gardens today and brought my handy camera to catch many new things peaking and/or showing color out in the gardens. Above and to the left is the 'Lady In Red' lady fern (
Athyrium filix-femina var.
angustum forma rubellum) that has prominent red stipes (fern stems). I'm cheating with this shot as it is from Janet's (a volunteer) home but we have it here at RBG as well. The image to the right is of 'Purple Prince' barrenwort (
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Purple Prince') in the gazebo garden. Below is my favorite patch of wind anemones (
Anemone blanda 'White Splendour') near the gazebo. Only 6" tall, these flowers are almost 3" wide! Nice looking but will be very fleeting with this heat unfortunately.
Many of our most vivid colors out in the gardens are contributed by fresh foliage right now. Below is the start of the 'Sutherland Gold' elderberry (
Sambucus racemosa) that is really a beacon. I like the orange/pink cast of the newest foliage as it unfurls. This image shows a 24" tall plant that was pruned back severely in winter to that height. The new growth will shoot up 5-6' in one season. We treat all our elderberries the same way to encourage fresh growth and to minimize their "leggy" nature that seems to occur with age.
Below are just a smattering of some of the neat blooms that are peaking right now. The bright yellow daisy is from leopard's bane (
Doronicum orientale 'Little Leo') that is a very early bloomer and doesn't resent part sun (need moisture though!). The flowers themselves are about 3" in diameter and will certainly catch the eye from a distance. Beneath the leopard's bane are a nice batch of trout lilies (
Erythronium sp.) that I saw at Janet's house yesterday. Not sure if this is
Erythronium americana or
Erythronium hybrida 'Pagoda'. We don't have a lot of trout lilies but I sure appreciate them when I see them. Regardless. what caught my eye from the distance was the silvery sheen of the leaves. Neat. At the bottom is Dr. Gredler giving the "thumbs up" as he headed out on the riding mower.
and fresh. Larry bounced between projects while Little Jerry worked in the Japanese garden. Janice organized some things in the hort center, weeded and worked with her youth group on potting up some transplants that came in a couple days ago. Ron, Del, Charlie, Gary, Pat, Bob, Roger a
nd Bill all worked on spreading shredded bark mulch and/or compost throughout the course of the morning. Lots of vehicles running materials around the garden. Dick H., Big John and Dick P. started some preparation for the new fence extension that will be started on Monday. Dick P. also helped resolve an issue we're having with our automatic gates. Maury was also a jack-of-all-trades today too. Dr. Gredler was out mowing and we had Shirley here weeding the iris beds. Vern, Jim and Bob A. worked on putting up a new arbor structure in the wishing well garden and we also saw Dave, Bob, Donna, Geesje and many others. It was a truly a crazy day. Jumbo Jim and four RECAPPERS worked on cleaning out water features which is a tough but essential task. I was able to get outside and walk the gardens today and brought my handy camera to catch many new things peaking and/or showing color out in the gardens. Above and to the left is the 'Lady In Red' lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum forma rubellum) that has prominent red stipes (fern stems). I'm cheating with this shot as it is from Janet's (a volunteer) home but we have it here at RBG as well. The image to the right is of 'Purple Prince' barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum 'Purple Prince') in the gazebo garden. Below is my favorite patch of wind anemones (Anemone blanda 'White Splendour') near the gazebo. Only 6" tall, these flowers are almost 3" wide! Nice looking but will be very fleeting with this heat unfortunately.
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