Waiting On The Rain...

We've had an 80% chance of showers all day and I've watched the "doppler" often to see storms both North and South of us.  No action yet.  I'm glad we didn't rely on the showers and ran irrigation, set up sprinklers and hand watered as needed.  Although we may still get some rain tonight, I'm prepared for another round of watering tomorrow as our new plantings are getting thirsty!  Above is the 'Ultra Crimson Star' petunia (Petunia) which is part of our All-America Selections (AAS) Display this year.  This 1988 AAS winner is one of over 150 varieties in our historic (and aesthetic!) display that is also in the AAS Landscape Design competition for the second year.  Visitors will be able to stroll through this garden in a chronological fashion and see the progression of winners from the 1930s all the way to 2013.  It's filling in nicely too and we have some vertical planters that should add some interest as well.  Below is the 'Moonlight' Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides) which has such a nice silver patina with darker green vein highlights.  Years ago we planted 30 or so of these at the base of all the large cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees in the woodland walk.  They are clinging and climbing nicely although I haven't seen any blooms (yet!).  The next photo down shows one of our many delphiniums (Delphinium sp., unknown variety) blooming in the English cottage garden.

We had a great grounds crew today.  Terry (above) did quite a bit of shearing and is very good at this type of work.  He also set up sprinklers, rototilled, worked on smoothing out the primary gravel paths and watered containers later in the day.  Big John also set up sprinklers and watered containers.  He was also involved in composting, rototilling, installing signs, filling planters and other duties.  Jenny planted more seeds in various locations, tidied the English cottage garden, watered the yard, etc.  Cindy (below) spent more time weeding and preparing the Rainbow Garden for planting later this week or early next week.  The only plant in there right now is curled parsley (Petroselinum sp.) which was planted to define the various color "sections" that also have the painted culvert pipe planters (also seen in that photo).  Cheryl (second photo down, far left) spent most of her time today tidying up the gazebo garden beds which included scraping up all the cottonwood (Populus deltoides) seedlings that have germinated in that garden and cutting back more bulb foliage.  Also in that photo is Patrea (far right) who helped with this process this morning.  I placed more plants for installation both for today and tomorrow.  The third photo down shows the blooms of the 'Magicien' (correct spelling) deutzia (Deutzia hybrida) which is an uncommon but tough shrub.

We continue to have great volunteer assistance out in the gardens and today was no exception.  Directly above are Don and Pearl who came in early for another day of planting.  Yesterday they planted that border seen behind them (with the lime obelisks).  They made quick work of this corner planting and installed 300 annuals quickly including some larger tropicals and additional "hints of lime" to match across the path.  Kay cut back bulb foliage in a large berm that we hope to plant this weekend.  She then moved down to the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden and continued weeding and planting along the shoreline bed which certainly benefited from her attention!  Patrea worked with Cheryl as mentioned above and not far away, Myrt (orange) and Mary (both seen below) planted a flower bed near the gazebo.  Some of our Chestnut House volunteers also came in to work with Janice on planting some raised planters near the Horticulture Center.  The second photo down shows Victoria (left) and Dawn planting a desk planter that the Grumpies built for Victoria last spring.  Jenna can be seen in the next photo down planting a raised planter.  The next photo shows Jordan watering our new trough planter that he planted nicely.  Jenna, Victoria and Jordan all picked various plants from the yard and put together some nice combinations.  Thanks to Janice and Dawn for the help.  Dr. Yahr was in for some container planting and Urban came in for some pruning in the entrance garden in front of the Parker Education Center.  We also saw Maury, Ray, Alice and Gary was in for more label.sign work.  Further below are some additional plants seen today.

'Guinea Fowl' hybrid goatsbeard (Aruncus x hybrida)

variegated false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides 'Loraine Sunshine')

arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

another garden art project to enjoy (come see all 36 in person!)

The Gardens & Yard Are Half Empty (or Full?)

We did a lot of planting today.  It's nice to see the gardens fill up with our seasonal plantings while the holding yard supply diminishes.  I'm sure we're over 50% done with our seasonal planting and we continue to chip away at it every day.  After John and Terry installed 60 new roses in the French formal garden last week, that entire garden has started to peak with both old and new roses.  Above is a shot of our pergola which is the centerpiece of many weddings in the rose garden.  We saw many visitors today and had some compliments on the color and fragrance of the gardens seen above.  Color abounds everywhere like the 'Rikugi Sakura' Siberian iris (Iris siberica) seen directly below which is located around the lower pond in the Japanese garden.  The next photo down shows a foxtail lily (Eremurus sp.) blooming near the gazebo.  This fall planted bulb/rhizome blooms in very late spring with these tall upright spires.  They are tough to establish.  There are other colors like yellow and orange that are commonly available.  

It's interesting how our volunteer attendance has fluctuated over the years.  In the past, Tuesday has been relatively quiet although today saw an amazing turnout of volunteers.  Ron K. (above) continued tidying the woodland walk garden and planted more perennials in this colorful space.  Pearl and Don (directly below) planted their assigned garden space with a nice lime theme this year.  They were here most of the day and did a great job installing over 1,000 plants at the far edge of the shade garden.  The next photo down featured Bev and Ron who did a nice job of planting about 500 marigolds (Tagetes patula 'Durango Gold') just inside the gardens from the main parking lot.  They made quick work of that project and will continue some efforts in the sunken garden later in the week.  Cookie, Resa and Kay (third photo down) spent their time weeding and planting in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden ("Pollinator's Paradise").  The ladies did a thorough job of cutting back bulb foliage and weeding before planting hundreds of annuals for the summer theme.  Mary H. (fourth photo down) was in for some clean-up and Dr. Yahr did some planting for us as well.  Mary and Roy (fifth photo down) did a nice job of installing more plants in our "Giant Garden" including many tropicals.  Bob T. did more air edging just east of the English cottage garden.  Dr. Gredler and Bill mowed and we also saw Chuck S., Mary W., Lois A. and other Janesville Area Herb Society ladies.  

The grounds staff had a multitude of tasks and everyone was involved with watering to some degree or another.  We hope for some nice rains tomorrow for sure!  Today was our first day over 90 degrees F.  Above is the shaggy hawkweed (Hieracium villosum) blooming in the alpine garden which is at peak right now.  Larry pumped out and refilled the sunken garden pool which was becoming murky due to all the debris floating down.  With many looming weddings, we do this water exchange a couple of times each summer.  He also push mowed, watered and worked on other projects as well.  Big John rototilled, push mowed, composted, watered and bounced between various projects.  Cindy planted, weeded, did the cutting display and did some fertilization as well including the All-America Selections Display Garden (seen in the bottom photo).  Cheryl cut and removed bulb foliage from some sizable areas.  She also fertilized some select locations.  Janice continued cutting bulb foliage, fertilized, watered containers, etc.  I hauled and placed lots of plants out today and kept our planters busy.  I'm getting ready for more planting every day this week.  Below are more shots from today.

Star of Persia ornamental onion (Allium christophii)

'Supertunia Raspberry Blast' petunia (Petunia)

All-America Selections Display Garden - 2013

Grumpies Galore

We didn't get much rain overnight but the .25" that did come down certainly helps.  It looks like there is a chance of rain throughout the week which would be most welcome and helps us delay running our irrigation system.  Directly above is one of our many tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) blooming in the fern & moss garden.  They are just gorgeous right now with blooms almost 12" wide and there are some wonderful colors out there.  We had lots of visitors today including some groups that enjoyed the gardens and lunch; many with cameras and tripods with them as well.  It was a nice day to visit and it looks like most of the cottonwood (Populus deltoides) seeds have fluttered down and we're seeing the start of serious germination everywhere!  UGH.

Plenty of Grumpies arrived this morning and jumped right in to projects with the exception of Maury (above) who started the morning with a nap.  Actually, he and Dick P. are working on fixing our water fountain among other projects.  Vern (directly below) put some sealer/stain on the new planter box that they built for the Garden Gala (July 13th) auction coming up soon.  Our Home Garden Tour is the following Saturday (July 20th, 9 am - 3 pm).  Jim D. and Gene (second photo down) were out in the rose garden and did a nice job spreading 60 bags of cocoa bean hull mulch around the roses.  This mulch is functional and looks sharp but isn't my favorite mulch.  The gardens did smell like chocolate for a while though but keep in mind that consumption of this mulch can be poisonous to dogs.  The third photo down shows Bob C. and Dick K. (aqua shirt) cutting back the ornamental onions (Allium) in the formal annual sections.  We'll get these eight sections prepared for planting by the Bower City Garden Club ladies this Thursday.  We have a nice progression of clearing, weeding, preparing and planting each area and we're finishing a couple beds every week.  Jim and Dave continued work on the new obelisks and Ron Y., along with help from Dick H. and Larry, brought back a bridge (see below) from the Japanese garden for rebuilding and widening.  Our intent is to rebuild this to accommodate our carts and be wider for visitor access.  Ron P. and Dick H. spent a good portion of the day repairing the lighting system for the dump truck.  Rollie and Dick P. helped with various projects and Dr. Gredler was out mowing early this morning.  Mary W. helped plant and Karen M. tidied up in the Japanese garden.   Gary and Pat C. worked on signage issues and we also saw Ron W. and many others today as well.

The grounds staff had another busy day which included some watering duties for everyone.  Larry set up a sprinkler and did some spot watering but also spent time getting that bridge, push mowing and other duties.  Big John and Terry started the day planting another 32 boxwoods (Buxus 'Green Velvet') in the parking lot islands.  Both guys also rototilled areas in preparation for planting.  Terry also did some shearing and watering while John prepared an area for asphalting and also helped with watering.  Jenny and Cindy worked all morning in front of the Parker Education Center where they cut bulb foliage, weeded and planted more annuals (orange-themed) throughout that space.  Our entire entrance garden is about 95% finished with a couple accent pieces left to go in shortly.  Jenny also tidied in the English cottage garden and watered.  Cindy also had some weeding/tidying duties and watered the yard which continues to get more picked over each day.  I was able to spray herbicide in some select areas and placed plants in two locations for installation tomorrow.  We should have another productive week of planting but will shortly have to shift to weeding and more "tidy work."  Below are some additional images from today.

'Bartzella' intersectional hybrid peony (Paeonia)

Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo') in bloom

'Misty Lace' hybrid goatsbeard (Aruncus hybrida)

'Fire Alarm' coral bells (Heuchera)

One of 36 garden art project suns (by G. Hatton and B. Tapovatz) to enjoy out in the gardens

Mission Accomplished

Our fifth Volunteer Work Day today was successful and we finished planting the remainder of the entrance garden with the assistance of many fine volunteers.  Thanks to Pat, Pete, Sidley, Barbara, Eva, Steve, Whitey, Leslie, Stephen, Mike, Janet, Renee, Marissa, Alfredo, Zack, Gary, Bob K., Keith, Jodi, Maggie, Jalina, Terri and Marv.  Also thanks to Janice, Big John and Larry from staff who all helped in some way or another.   While the majority of the activity involves planting, we also have to consolidate empty plastic pots, flats, water and tidy up as we go.  We have a great system for this and were happy with the progress.  Bill O. was in for some clean-up this morning before the two weddings and Jumbo Jim has four RECAPPERS with him to tidy up the Japanese garden.  The Janesville Area Herb Society had a meeting and work day today as well out in the gardens.  We saw lots of visitors and it was nice to have such a productive morning before the busy afternoon and hopefully some rains tomorrow.  We also saw Mary F.P., Polly, Maury, Dr. Yahr, Dr. Gredler and many others.  Below are some of the action shots this morning.  We have another planting Volunteer Work Day next Saturday (8 am until 12 noon) and then have the last one of the year in October for bulb planting.

Skeleton Crew On A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day today with a cool start to the morning but sunshine and afternoon temperatures just over 70 degrees F.  We truly had a skeleton crew on grounds staff with just Terry, Janice and myself.  Due to various schedules, etc., it worked out this way and of course we managed our duties including watering at the end of the day.  We normally have six staff here on Fridays but with some good volunteer help today, we did fine.  Above is the front slope of the entrance garden that we'll be planting tomorrow during our Volunteer Work Day (8 am until 12 noon).  I spent most of the day laying out these plants and hopefully we'll hit our "average attendance" for volunteers with 25-30 sets of helping hands.  We'll need all the help we can get to complete which is only about 50% of what I prepared for planting tomorrow which includes the rest of the entrance garden too.  If all goes well, our big orange theme will be planted and complete.  Directly below is one of my double decker cart loads of plants. Terry and I hauled all the "ingredient plants" out to this area from the Horticulture Center this morning.  Terry also worked on cutting bulb foliage, push mowing, rototilling and watering.  Janice did her cutting display, push mowed and spent time watering some newly planted collections and all the remaining yard plants.  The yard is looking "thinner" each day but we'll still have plenty to plant throughout the month.  Further below are some plant images from today as I walked through the gardens running various irrigation zones.

golden black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia')

'Cherry Tomato' hosta (Hosta)

'Fire Chief' petunia (Petunia) which is part of our All-America Selections (AAS) Display which is again entered in a landscape design competition where we'll compete with AAS displays at other venues as well.

'Dolce Blackcurrant' coral bells (Heuchera)

Directly above is Kay planting over 100 tropicals as part of our "Giant Garden".  Those elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) in the foreground are called 'Jack's Giant' and they should get quite large.  The overall intent in this space is to make it look like a jungle.  Kay did a great job planting this space after she finished planting perennials in her portion of the shade garden.  Dr. Gredler came in for mowing and Dick H. worked on some electrical issues (lights) with our dump truck.  Rose came in for some painting work on our new Horticulture Center door.  Karen M. was out tidying up in the Japanese garden late this morning.  We also saw Maury, Dr. Yahr, Mary W., Vern and many others today.  Further below are more fun plants from today.  With two weddings tomorrow afternoon, I hope to have an aggressive morning of planting, clean-up, watering and be out of there by lunch time.  We'll see how it all goes.  Terry and I both were amazed at how many visitors were out in the gardens today.  It's always nice to see that!

golden sedge (Carex elata 'Bowles' Golden')

goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)

'Caradonna' perennial salvia (Salvia nemerosa)

'Jacques Cartier' rose (Rosa)

'Karmina' perennial geranium (Geranium x cantabrigiense)