A Damp Morning

As evidenced above, I'm not tired of capturing the fall color of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) which continues to get better out in the gardens almost daily.  I was just happy I was able to get outside and take some photos (and run some cords) after a drizzly morning.  We all arrived during rain this morning and had a cozy morning of productive indoor activities at the Horticulture Center.  While I hate to even lose a half day of running cords for the Holiday Lights Show (HLS), we didn't run shy of indoor projects and I cleared out a good chunk of my desk work during the dismal start to the day.  The rain abated by 11 am and the grounds staff all shifted outside after a great morning with some volunteers.  The afternoon was chilly but tolerable with some occasional sunshine poking out here and there.  Below are some other shots from today.

three-flower maple (Acer triflorum) fall color close-up - woody tree

starting fall color for the Crimson Spire oak (Quercus robur x alba 'Crimschmidt') which should get increasingly more red on this upright selection

We did have some volunteer action this morning which included Patrea (above in orange hat) and Eva (right) processing luminaries (half gallon milk jugs).  The ladies also helped work on organizing and storing our labels for use next year.  Dr. Gredler (directly below) filled the new luminaries with gravel so they are ready to go out tomorrow.  Maury dropped off some needed supplies this morning and Pat was in for some lights repairs and other duties.  Janice worked with the Chestnut House volunteers on many projects like organizing lights and tidying up the Horticulture Center.  We also saw Mary D., Vern, Mark S. and a couple others today.  

Our grounds crew was small but effective.  Cindy (half day) and Cheryl worked on a wide range of indoor tasks during the rainy morning.  They processed labels, prepared lights for the new luminaries and tidied up various portions of the Horticulture Center.  Cheryl went out in the gardens before lunch and all afternoon to continue her tidying efforts in the fern & moss garden which is coming along very well.  Big John and Terry worked on assembling and preparing some of our animated LED displays inside this morning and later secured them out in the garden.  The guys have almost finished putting up our displays and will shift to some other HLS and gardening duties later in the week and next week.  I caught up on desk work and slung cords all afternoon.  Below are some recent images from the gardens.

fall color of swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - woody tree

awesome fall color of the Judd viburnum (Viburnum x juddii) - woody shrub

yellowing fall color of willowleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) - perennial

'October Skies' aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius) - perennial

bronze fall color of the shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) - woody tree

start of fall color on 'Royal Purple' smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) - large woody shrub

'Circus' coral bells (Heuchera villosa) - perennial

interesting start to fall color on the 'Briant Rubidor' golden weigela (Weigela florida) which I'll keep an eye on over the coming weeks - woody shrub