Chills

Today started with cold temperatures and drizzle.  The drizzle turned to some light snow as the temperatures dipped and the winds picked up.  The "windchill effect" became more significant through the day and will continue that pattern throughout the week with temperatures decreasing daily.  There is still some beauty out in the gardens as evidenced by the perennial 'Circus' coral bells (Heuchera villosa) seen above which I continue to photograph late in the season.  We had a small crew today out in the gardens but did have some nice volunteer help as well.  We're full speed ahead with trying to finish up outdoor set-up for the Holiday Lights Show (HLS) which should be ready by next week.  While it was a cold and crummy day, it could always be worse and we were quite productive in our multiple layers.  Below are additional images from today.

nice view to the South entrance of the Japanese garden

view from the opposite side of the South entrance seen above

'Citronelle' coral bells (Heuchera villosa) - perennial

peak fall color for a clump of Judd viburnums (Viburnum x juddii) - woody shrub

 

nice foliage color still on the 'Royal Cloak' smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) - large woody shrub / small tree

Big John (above) started the day by being a bit creepy but that's not unusual.  John put up more displays and LOTS of lights today.  He does a nice job and has a knack for decorating.  Cindy processed the last of our cannas for winter storage, put up oodles of lights in the Japanese garden and fern & moss garden and helped process signs and some other HLS supplies.  Larry (seen below driving) worked most of the day with Bill (his smiling passenger) and helped with a large delivery, ran cords and bounced between various projects.  I was cord boy again today and was inspired to buy new gloves later this evening after my threadbare gloves proved to be insufficient earlier today!  Larry H. helped put more protective netting on some evergreens to thwart our winter nibblers and we had our Garden Development & Maintenance Committee meeting today (Larry H., Big John, Dr. Gredler, Maury,Hal R., Gary S., Christine, Iza and Dick P.).  Pat M. was in to work on a couple projects including some more HLS work.  We also saw Chuck S., Dr. Gredler, Kay F. and a couple others today.  Maury also ran some errands for us.  Further below are some additional images from today.

pinkish fall color on variegated maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus') - perennial

variegated Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance') still looking good - perennial

the weather wasn't totally "un-bear-able" for some....get it? (bronze sculpture in the woodland walk garden)

fall color on American beech (Fagus grandifolia) - woody tree

maroonish fall color tints on creeping archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon 'Variegatum') which is beautiful (perennial) but can be a thug (be warned!)