Productive But Chilly

Thankfully the evening temperatures last night didn't get below 40 degrees F although we'll have similar temperatures this evening. Our tropicals are languishing and waiting for the heat which will come all too soon. Despite the cold weather, Big John and Terry (above with Terry driving) hauled out our three new Bismarckia palms (Bismarckia nobilis) which are native to Madagascar and will be included in our tropical garden this year. The guys were a bit obscured by the foliage and the story of how Terry and I loaded these 10' specimens for a 30 mile journey will be the stuff of legend. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even make it in to the gardens proper as we had plant runs and my desk work was very time sensitive. However, we did have some great staff and volunteer accomplishments out in the gardens. The majority of my photos were taken at some of our nursery destinations today including these coleus' (Solenostemon scutellarioides) seen below at Seasonal Splendors Greenhouse in Oregon, WI.

'Big Red Judy' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Fishnet Stockings' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Splish Splash' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Dark Star' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Honey Crisp' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Glennis' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Vino' coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

Terry and I went mobile to Seasonal Splendors Greenhouse (owned and operated by the talented Kathi E.) mentioned above and then went to the Flower Factory nursery in Stoughton to pick up our perennial order. I love their truck (directly above and below) which can also be seen on Saturdays at the Farmer's Market around the Capitol Square in Madison. It was nice seeing Nancy at the Flower Factory and Terry and I made good time while Big John, Cindy and Cheryl held down the fort. All but the last two photos below were taken in the display gardens at the Flower Factory. Big John watered, rototilled, hauled plants and bounced between different duties. Cindy continued assaulting weeds in various locations around the gardens and Cheryl's weeding/tidying focus was in and around the Japanese garden. Our gardening volunteers included Kathy, Eva, Kay, Mary W., Shirley C., Jenny E. and some others. Dr. Gredler and Del did some painting and Vern was in for carpentry work. Urban continued sanding the observation pier in advance of he and Rose repainting it in the next week or two. We also saw Bill O., Maury, Rose, Kris K. and I'm sure others that I missed. Despite the cool day, which included some light drizzle, a lot of work was accomplished! The two bottom photos were taken from an advantageous view from across the pond and in the back yard of one of our volunteers! What a great view (thanks JT and JT!)