Today was another hot and sunny day but with all the precipitation from last week, plants are really hitting stride now (including the weeds unfortunately). Nice shot above of the Adirondak chairs in our wishing well garden. I think these are the most used seats out in the gardens and offer a nice view of that space as well as the pond. I'm still catching up with various projects and we continue to focus our weeding efforts around the gardens to keep up with the onslaught. Below are the formal annual sections that while not having as much "punch" as they've had in the past (in terms of bright coloration), they have a nice pastel look with lavender, chartreuse and some burgundy. The painted obelisks are certainly nice punctuation.
The tree shown below is the Amur maackia (
Maackia amurensis) that is finally blooming after seven years out in the ga
rden! We planted this specimen as a small stick and I've looked every summer for blooms. I've been waiting for this and am pleased with the flower showing on this tough tree. This vigorous species has no insect or disease problems and has interesting foliage. Closely related to yellowwood (
Cladrastis) this tree was also named after Russian naturalist (Richard Maack). This tree has been specifically recommended as a smaller stature (20'-30') urban tolerant street tree and the summer flowers are another added benefit of this ornamental (introduced in 1864, native to Manchuria and Korea). Fall color is a muted yellow and very understated. Oh well. It's nice to watch these things grow out in the gardens and perhaps we'll see more of this tree in appropriate urban settings.
Larry and John did their pushmowing today and moved on to watering duties as it got quite hot. Janice was here and worked on spreading SLUGGO around our hostas and other gardening tasks. Mary D. came to help weed and we saw Peg and her grandson, Luke, out w
eeding in the English Cottage Garden. I left early to get ready for a presentation in Chilton, WI (2.25 hours away). It was a great group and a new audience to promote the gardens to during my talk. When I booked this talk last year, I thought it was in local Clinton, WI and later found out that my travel distance was a bit longer than I thought. Oh well. To the right is the wispy, annual switchgrass (
Pennisetum elegans 'Frosted Explosion') that is common in cut arrangements. I like the transparent appearance and texture. Below is the wonderful silver Swedish ivy (
Plectranthus argentatus) that has soft silvery leaves on a mounded plant that will be almost 3' wide and 3' tall by the end of the summer. I have always felt that white is understated in most gardens and the foliage of this annual is a fitting touch to any sunny border, container or planting bed. Another neat cucumber variety below. 'Crystal Apple' is best eaten young and fresh and was introduced from New Zealand in 1930.
Today was another hot and sunny day but with all the precipitation from last week, plants are really hitting stride now (including the weeds unfortunately). Nice shot above of the Adirondak chairs in our wishing well garden. I think these are the most used seats out in the gardens and offer a nice view of that space as well as the pond. I'm still catching up with various projects and we continue to focus our weeding efforts around the gardens to keep up with the onslaught. Below are the formal annual sections that while not having as much "punch" as they've had in the past (in terms of bright coloration), they have a nice pastel look with lavender, chartreuse and some burgundy. The painted obelisks are certainly nice punctuation. 
The tree shown below is the Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis) that is finally blooming after seven years out in the ga
rden! We planted this specimen as a small stick and I've looked every summer for blooms. I've been waiting for this and am pleased with the flower showing on this tough tree. This vigorous species has no insect or disease problems and has interesting foliage. Closely related to yellowwood (Cladrastis) this tree was also named after Russian naturalist (Richard Maack). This tree has been specifically recommended as a smaller stature (20'-30') urban tolerant street tree and the summer flowers are another added benefit of this ornamental (introduced in 1864, native to Manchuria and Korea). Fall color is a muted yellow and very understated. Oh well. It's nice to watch these things grow out in the gardens and perhaps we'll see more of this tree in appropriate urban settings.
eeding in the English Cottage Garden. I left early to get ready for a presentation in Chilton, WI (2.25 hours away). It was a great group and a new audience to promote the gardens to during my talk. When I booked this talk last year, I thought it was in local Clinton, WI and later found out that my travel distance was a bit longer than I thought. Oh well. To the right is the wispy, annual switchgrass (Pennisetum elegans 'Frosted Explosion') that is common in cut arrangements. I like the transparent appearance and texture. Below is the wonderful silver Swedish ivy (Plectranthus argentatus) that has soft silvery leaves on a mounded plant that will be almost 3' wide and 3' tall by the end of the summer. I have always felt that white is understated in most gardens and the foliage of this annual is a fitting touch to any sunny border, container or planting bed. Another neat cucumber variety below. 'Crystal Apple' is best eaten young and fresh and was introduced from New Zealand in 1930. 
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