I flipped the calendar today and noted the official date of spring. This warm weather has been consistent for sure. It was also quite mild today also. The Janesville Gazette had an article in the morning paper that talk
ed about the unseasonably warm winter and it featured a photo of the winter adonis (Adonis amurensis 'Fukujukai') from RBG that I've shown in previous blogs including the one from yesterday. I hit the road early and delivered seeds to our third and last vendor. It was nice to see Natalie and Audra and they always seem to be enthusiastic about what they'll be growing for us each year. I wonder what they say about me after I leave though...? The top picture shows the daff
odils (Narcissus) poking up which can be seen all over RBG as well as our home gardens. This foliage is very frost resistant but is also coming up a bit earlier than usual. Directly above are more winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) which are poking up in droves all around the gardens. To the left are the start of some crocus (Crocus sp.) appearing. To the right are more hellebores (Helleborus) getting ready to open up very shortly. I also worked on presentations and am getting information together for our Tree Sale (April 20th and 21st, 8 am - 3 pm) where we'll be offering 2-3 year old transplants (15"-18" tall) seedlings of Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce, concolor fir, sugar maple, Black Hills spruce, Eastern arborvitae, white pine, red oak and swamp white oak. Our website will have more details on all of these selections very soon as well as additional event details. This is the second year that we've paired with the Janesville Blackhawk Golden "K" Kiwanis group for this fundraiser. 
We had a superb turnout of volunteers today. I missed most of the action with my seed delivery but was back to observe the cart loads of debris (above) coming back regularly. Dick W. and Terry finishe
d cutting back the larger ornamental grasses out in the gardens so we have many "grass haircuts" out there like the one below. Dennis was back and did a nice job cutting back our 'Flame' willows (Salix) on the west bank near Lions' Beach. These will respond with new growth that will again turn bright reddish orange from November thru March. Urban and Pat were out pruning most of the morning and focused on the color rooms garden and arboretum. Larry was bouncing between projects, ran some errands and helped over at the Horticulture Center. Dave, Jim and Bob 
A. continued work on the new garbage/recycling bins and Del was in to work on some carpentry as well. Bill O. came in around lunch time and helped with some odds and ends. Dr. Gredler continued his painting with efforts on obelisks and Adirondack chairs. Our next project will involve the restaining of our benches (see bottom photo) although some are in more need than others. We also saw Gary and some others today. To the left is a dwarf white fir (Abies concolor 'La Veta') in the dwarf/miniature conifer section of our alpine garden. I like that shade of blue and note how most of the needles curve outwards and upwards on the stems (characteristic of most firs). The warm weather also has some perennials poking out of the ground. To the right is one of our perennial stonecrops (Sedum telephium 'Red Cauli') peaking out in this "Aprilish" weather. Hard to believe that the rest of the grounds staff (Marv, Marianne, Terry, Janice, Big John, Pat and Jenny) all start back in a month!
d cutting back the larger ornamental grasses out in the gardens so we have many "grass haircuts" out there like the one below. Dennis was back and did a nice job cutting back our 'Flame' willows (Salix) on the west bank near Lions' Beach. These will respond with new growth that will again turn bright reddish orange from November thru March. Urban and Pat were out pruning most of the morning and focused on the color rooms garden and arboretum. Larry was bouncing between projects, ran some errands and helped over at the Horticulture Center. Dave, Jim and Bob 
A. continued work on the new garbage/recycling bins and Del was in to work on some carpentry as well. Bill O. came in around lunch time and helped with some odds and ends. Dr. Gredler continued his painting with efforts on obelisks and Adirondack chairs. Our next project will involve the restaining of our benches (see bottom photo) although some are in more need than others. We also saw Gary and some others today. To the left is a dwarf white fir (Abies concolor 'La Veta') in the dwarf/miniature conifer section of our alpine garden. I like that shade of blue and note how most of the needles curve outwards and upwards on the stems (characteristic of most firs). The warm weather also has some perennials poking out of the ground. To the right is one of our perennial stonecrops (Sedum telephium 'Red Cauli') peaking out in this "Aprilish" weather. Hard to believe that the rest of the grounds staff (Marv, Marianne, Terry, Janice, Big John, Pat and Jenny) all start back in a month!
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