Spring Progresses

Above is a wonderful image from yesterday that Marsha M. shared with me this morning.  I was out sick yesterday and have been playing "catch up" all day.  Yesterday we had a full crew of volunteers working on a wide range of tasks including lowering one of our two "Towers of Power" under the supervision of Pat M. (above).  This 20' tall structure (one of two) had 2,000 LED lights on it this winter and was a real beacon out there during our very successful and well-attended Holiday Lights Show.  I know we had a wide range of help both inside and outside yesterday with many volunteers returning for garden clean-up and to get ready for the impending busy season and looming Bagged Compost Sale which starts this Saturday (April 4th, 8 am - 12 noon, $6 per bag).  The Spring Plant Sale is coming up soon too on Mother's Day weekend (May 9th and 10th, 9 am - 4 pm) although RBG Members can come to the Members Only Pre-Sale on Friday, May 8th (9 am - 4 pm) for "first dibs" and a 10% discount that extends throughout the sale.  Below are some images taken during my delightful morning stroll today.

this patch of emerging crocuses has avoided rabbit nibbling thus far....

 double snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno') looking good today (above and below)

 winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) patch looking nice

We had a nice turnout of volunteers today.  Eva (above) and Kathy (below) headed out this morning for some serious tidying and clean-up of beds, borders and paths.  They do a great job. Kay was in later in the morning to address her area which had plenty of twigs down and crooked signs.  It's amazing how much our plant signs get knocked around but it's an annual spring project to straighten, repair and replace these as needed.  Pat M. did more work on his giant obelisk today and Bill came in to help Larry with some tasks (second photo down).  Janice was in to work on myriad projects and Dr. Gredler came in for more painting.  We also saw Chuck, Bev D., Polly, Mark S. and many others today.  See further below for more photos from today.

 the mosses are greening up nicely

 ornamental bark of lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana)

 early spring foliage of Italian arum (Arum italicum)

 'Heritage' river birch (Betula nigra) bark

 Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) emerging

This cool wall detail in the reception garden is only seen in spring before plants block it.  I think these may  have been from the original Parker Pen Building as well but need to confirm...neat though