Muggy But Beautiful

Today ended up being another very hot day although the morning was still comfortable (albeit muggy)! The gardens continue to look great with many perennials and annuals still at peak bloom. Our late season perennials are just getting started and most of our annuals are still hanging in there. Above is the relatively new hybrid foxglove (Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame') which still looks excellent! We had a VIP visit from Chris (below) of K&W Greenery here in Janesville, WI. Chris grows a lot of plants for us every spring (including baskets) and we toured the gardens and are preparing our 2016 strategy! Our staff and volunteers had a great day and the gardens continue to get the best treatment with weeding, tidying, mulching, planting and additional TLC.

Our volunteers were real troopers today in this heat. Kathy and Eva worked on weeding in the Japanese garden while Don and Pearl touched up their area at the east end of the shade garden. Dr. Gredler was in for mowing duties and Bill O. had some projects as well. Jenny and Dave gussied up the hosta hollow garden (looks great) and Kay was in to tidy up her area of the shade garden which is now experiencing the start of six weeks of cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves drifting down daily! Jenny also worked on a labeling project for our incoming tulips (Tulipa). Marv tidied up our moss areas nicely. Stan spent some significant time in the Japanese garden and Dick H. was in for some equipment and vehicle repairs. Mary, Myrt, Nancy and Patti came in after lunch for some weeding and tidying out in the shade of the gazebo garden. Janice was in to give a tour and orientation to our fall crop of Chestnut House volunteers (two photos below from Janice). We're looking forward to their help during this busy time. We also saw Maury F., Dr. Yahr, John J., Glenn D. and many others today.

the raised planters both above and below were recently built by our Grumpies!

The grounds staff continues to show their toughness (not me as I was in air-conditioned comfort all day) out in this heat. Cindy worked on a clerical project, watering and tidying. Cheryl also had tidying duties in two locations and watered the yard. Larry H. was a mulching and composting demon today and probably hauled a record amount of those materials on this hot day. Big John and Terry worked as a team today on planting, mulching, pruning and watering. They had a full day with a wide range of tasks. My primary focus is currently the Fall Plant Sale which is coming up in two weekends. See www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org for more details on this fun event.