More Color Daily

Today was another nice one although we did have some clouds later in the day. The 30% chance of precipitation didn't get us too excited although we can sure use the rain. We ran irrigation all day to start making up for such a deficit in moisture since December! There was lots of color out in the gardens like that of the Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) seen above in the woodland walk garden. We had a productive grounds crew and some great volunteers in attendance today with a strong focus on gardening. With the Spring Plant Sale just over one week away (see www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org for details and plant lists), we wont lose focus on the gardens but will have plenty of activity with picking up plants, arranging the sale, pricing, etc. It will be a busy week. We'll continue to sell compost and pansies this weekend (8 am - 12 noon) though and look forward to a great plant sale and exciting time to see Spring color out in the gardens. Below are some additional images from today.

'King's Ransom' false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) has hints of chartreuse in the foliage which ultimately fades by mid-summer

corn-leaf iris (Iris bucharica) is just finishing up

early tulips (Tulipa) have started - unknown variety above, 'West Point' below

serviceberries (Amelanchier sp.) are at peak bloom today

Celandine poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum) are looking nice and bright

We had a great batch of volunteers today. Above is Rose who is back in action with painting these windows and doors that will again be featured in the Alphabet Jungle Garden theme this year. Rose did a great job and Dr. Gredler continued painting some of these after a full morning of mowing and turf repair. Del was also in to paint and worked on one of the giant Adirondack chairs. Marv (below) worked his kung fu on the moss garden which is looking quite lush. He does a great job. Roy and Mary came in to compost their area in the shade garden while Kathy continued her mulching onslaught in the Woodland Glen garden. Kay did some planting in her garden space and shifted over to help Kathy with the mulching. Pat M. was in and we also saw Maury, Dick H., Glenn D. and many others over at the Horticulture Center today.

The grounds staff had another very productive day with plenty of activities and tasks. Cindy (half day) helped pot up more tropical bulbs with Cheryl then moved out to the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden to continue weeding and spreading compost. That garden is looking darn nice and the return to the Smelly Garden theme for 2015 will certainly be well-received. Cheryl, after helping with bulb planting, moved to the rose garden where she tidied up, marked dead roses and continued with plenty of other gardening tasks including watering the yard and greenhouses. Big John and Terry (above) push mowed, edged, hauled debris, installed chairs and really had a busy day of doing a lot of odd jobs. I had meetings and continue to prepare for the Spring Plant Sale. Below is more color as seen today on my stroll through the gardens which are showing more color daily!