Oodles of Volunteers

Today was beautiful weather with sunshine and mid 70 degrees F. The gardens looked great and we had lots of visitors out in the gardens. Incoming rain this weekend and a warm up in temperatures next week will be helpful for extended color and plant vigor. There was a large group meeting at the main building and I'm sure they were able to get out and explore the gardens too. Our staff and volunteers had a busy day and Thursdays continue to see the most volunteer traffic around the gardens. We continue to primp the gardens which look excellent this late in the season. Above is the English cottage garden that Marcia and Mirjam tend so lovingly and below are the eight formal annual sections looking lush. It was another excellent day in the gardens. All of the blog photos were taken today.

'Silver Falls' Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) - perennial

'Postman's Pride' stonecrop (Sedum hybrida) - perennial

'Cosmic Orange' cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) - annual

'Alexander's Great' false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) - perennial (huge leaves!)

We had a spectacular volunteer turnout today which has become commonplace for Thursdays! Lots of smiling faces like that of Del (above) who was peeling labels for later re-use. In lieu of task descriptions for our two dozen plus volunteers (many shown below), I'd like to offer a hearty thank you to Del, Alan, Vicki, Dave, Jim, Ron Y., Ron P., Larry H., Lloyd, Ed, Marleen, Magda, Bonnie, Peg, Suzie, Pat M., Dr. Gredler, Dr. Yahr, Karen, Joanne A., Dick H., Hal, Doris, Kathy P., Maury, Kay F. and many others! It was a very productive day.

The grounds staff of Big John, Cheryl, Janice, Larry H. and I all had myriad tasks as well. John and Larry took on mowing duties while Janice and Cheryl took care of watering containers. John also planted, pruned, ran irrigation, set up sprinklers and bounced between some other projects. Larry continued composting when he wasn't mowing. Cheryl spent another day in the woodland walk and had plenty of tidying to keep her busy. She does an excellent job. Janice also watered, tidied in the Thomas Jefferson Collection, had "pre plant sale" duties, etc. I was able to get out in the gardens but remain focused on looming events. It was another great day of weather and progress out in the gardens.