Back To Sun & Heat

The temperature approached 90 degrees F this afternoon but the morning was foggy and pleasant. The top image shows a project that Marv and Terry tackled this morning. That Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) near the brick path keeps heaving the bricks up and creating a dangereous walking path. The guys did an awesome job of repairing that section and releveling everything. They've done this exact spot in the past and while we don't want to cut down trees unnecessarily, that one has created some issues (including lots of seedlings) and isn't the showiest of trees. It lives for now though. The image directly above was taken at a local restaurant where they have perfected the "mulch volcano". That ash tree (Fraxinus sp.) was planted at grade with the turf and now has 12" of mounded mulch around the base. This type of mulching is totally wrong and more common than many realize. When a tree trunk comes out of the mulch like a telephone pole, the mulch is too thick as it's covering the root flares at the base of the tree and can contribute to a host of other problems. To the right is a dwarf Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe') that is in close proximity to feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'). 'Little Joe' stays only 3-4' tall while many other Joe-pye weeds get taller and are prone to flopping. I like this one a lot and that grass can never be overused when a nice, medium-sized, upright grass for full sun is needed. To the left is one of our blazing stars (Liatris ligulistylis) in full bloom near the formal gardens. I like the flower power on these tall columns and this variety tops out at over 3' tall and really attracts the pollinators.

Aside from their brick path replacement project, Marv and Terry worked on more shearing and many other projects. Big John was in for a half day of fertilizing, weeding, watering and some path repair where we had some minor washouts from yesterday's rain (1.4"). Marianne did a nice job weeding thru most of the formal gardens, out front and also did her cutting display. Marianne also fertilized our roses for the last time this year. Pat continued weeding in the gazebo garden, planted perennials and shrubs near the North point garden and watered all the containers. I spent some time today with Kathy and Tom of Jenka Blossoms (Lima Center, WI) and talked about our order for next year which includes all our hanging baskets. They are good people and run a nice nursery. This is truly an industry of friends and plant lovers alike! To the above right is a dwarf redbud (Cercis canadensis) called 'Little Woody' which is known for short "internodes" between leaves. This creates a tighter looking plant and this variety, with bluish green leaves, should top out around 10' many years from now. To the left is another shot of the border along the east end of the shade garden. Don and Pearl C. have done such a nice job here and the chartreuse/lavender combo seems to work well.

Kay was in today to continue her weeding focus on the shade garden and did a nice job as usual. Her repeated return to these areas (and many others) has really made a difference and while we'll never be weed free, I feel the gardens are the least weedy they've ever been. There's little glory in weeding but I do appreciate the volunteers and staff that really sink their teeth in to an area and take care of business. Mary H. and her daughter were also here today weeding. Dr. Gredler was here to do more mowing and some other projects and we also saw Dick H. and some others. To the right is Tiger Eyes sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger') and dwarf black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. speciosa 'Viette's Little Suzy') in the foreground. To the left is the dwarf porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Goldbar') with such nice, creamy horizontal banding on the leaf blades. I like the size of this grass as the standard porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') can get 7'+.

I hope we have a good turnout for the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society (WHPS) meeting this evening at the gardens. The weather should be nice for a tour and I'm happy with the final version of my presentation regarding the history of RBG. We again saw many visitors today and hope to see solid traffic throughout the rest of the season. The various collections are looking good and even the marigold (Tagetes) collection is rebounding after the severe shearing and fertilizer treatment we provided. To the right is the airy flower plume of the 'Young Lady' European smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) which is a smaller variety from the Netherlands. Some catalogs list its mature height at 6' tall but ours is already around 9' tall. The creamy pink flower plumes last well in to fall and this dark green-leaved variety will get a nice yellow fall color as well. I like this large shrub a lot and have recommended it often. Directly below are the ornamental fruits of the European cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum opulus). Fruits become more ornamental in the late season garden in many instances and can become invaluable as winter food for native wildlife. At the bottom is a sweet shot in the fog this morning of the North Point garden.