Winter Chill Returns

Our 2,000 orange tulips (Tulipa) in front of the Parker Education Center are just holding on to color with this cold spell and will go quickly with another warm day. Many have enjoyed this vivid start to the season and these tulips herald the continuation of a bright color scheme in the entrance garden with reds, oranges and yellows. The weather today was quite chilly with some cold breezes. There is the chance of frost tonight in low-lying areas and we've moved many of our tender plants in to greenhouses or covered them up for the evening. Frost this time of year is not unusual so we'll be poised and ready. We should warm up by the weekend with more rain on the way. Needless to say, it was chilly out in the gardens and for the second day of the Spring Plant Sale Clearance (also open this Wednesday from 9 am until 4 pm!). However, color was not lacking out in the gardens and I was happy to have my camera readily available...

white bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba')

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

'Pink Lanterns' wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

'Eye Declare' hosta (Hosta sp.)

forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica 'Victoria Dwarf Blue')

We had some great volunteers today. Joy, Sandy C., Mary W., Pat R. and Mary W. all helped facilitate the plant sale today with Janice's guidance. Kay, Eva and Kathy headed to the woodland walk garden for some weeding and planting. We're temporarily babysitting this space until the fabulous Ron K. returns. Above are Kay (left) and Eva bouncing between weeding and planting. Kathy can be seen directly below and Kay in the second photo down. The third photo down shows Maury and Rose sizing up some painting on the observation pier. Jumbo Jim came in with four RECAPPERS and they did a great job planting, weeding and mulching in the Japanese gardens. The guys did a great job. Bill O. came in for mowing and Dr. Gredler painted and mowed as well. The fourth photo down shows Larry H. who did a whole lot of composting today after our Garden Development & Maintenance Committee meeting which was also attended by Big John, Maury, Iza, Dick P., Gary and Maury. Urban was in for some pruning and Pat C. came in for some odd jobs including more label work. Magda (fifth photo down) was in to tidy her assigned garden area as well. We also saw Art, Dr. Yahr, Kris K. and many others today.

The grounds staff had a busy day. Cindy worked her weeding kung fu on multiple areas with significant time in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden which will feature the ever-popular Smelly Garden theme this year. Cheryl did quite a bit of watering in the plant sale and did a super job tidying up along the edges of the Japanese garden. Janice ran the plant sale efficiently and was able to get out in the gardens for various tasks including refreshing the cutting display. There is no shortage of blooms out there and it is a great time to visit! Big John push mowed, worked on shrub removal, prepared new areas for seeding (turf) and had myriad other projects. Larry also push mowed and did a lot of weed whipping around the the gardens. He is also working on some of the water features. I was able to place more plants for installation and continue to try and keep ahead of multiple tasks, events, etc. during this busy (but exciting) spring season. More color below!